Travis

The Carter move drops them down to roughly $53 mil and 17 players. Less than $11 mil to sign 9 players, many of whom are due for raises. Obviously, it's not to the same degree (in the slightest) but if Bryzgalov is really getting $7 mil per - is it this year's Kovalchuk signing?

LeBrun just tweeted that Jagr will have to wait until July 1. I thought that wouldn't be the case because he wasn't an NHL-er last year? I won't pretend to know how any of this stuff works. Is it because he played with a professional team last year?

It's cool. The Islanders will move anyway. In the future a team that's fledgling in its location will then move to Long Island to occupy the vacant arena.

I really like the Geocities-style 'COMING SOON' next to Winnipeg. 4 and 5 days off in the first two weeks of the season again. Bum out.

Yeah, with Detroit and Columbus moving there would be 8 teams in each 'Eastern' conference and 7 teams in the 'West'.

This does bring an interesting question, what could we expect these divisions to be? I tried my best at guessing, based on geography - but obviously the South division would be a pretty liberal name as far as that goes. Midwest Minnesota Wild Chicago Blackhawks St. Louis Blues Dallas Stars Colorado Avalanche Phoenix Coyotes Nashville Predators Pacific Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Kings San Jose Sharks Vancouver Canucks Winnipeg Jets Edmonton Oilers Calgary Flames East Detroit Red Wings Pittsburgh Penguins Toronto Maple Leafs Ottawa Senators Montreal Canadiens Buffalo Sabres New York Rangers Boston Bruins South Tampa Bay Lightning Florida Panthers Carolina Hurricanes Washington Capitals New Jersey Devils Philadelphia Flyers Columbus Blue Jackets New York Islanders Obviously things get a pretty ambiguous when it comes to the South in my breakdown, as I wasn't really sure what would qualify a team to be considered 'South'. In a breakdown like this, I feel like it makes a lot more sense to have Columbus play in the Midwest division.

I was just thinking the same thing as I read the article. Interesting concept and, while it will no doubt be refined and tweaked, I could see it going through. Also, that picture rules.

Agreed. I thought that was the only award of the night worthy of second-guessing.

I'd heard someone flubbed Lidstrom, didn't know it was her. Bummer.

Games I would rather watch than this year's classic: Wings / Wings red and white game. Wings / U of M at the Big House Wings / Vipers alumni Wings / State on the east side of Saginaw Wings / Griffins ladderball tournament Bertuzzi / Cleary on NHL 07 for PSP

This. Obviously, I posted Do No Want dog a few days ago. I'm starting to accept the fact that him signing with Detroit is a real possibility. Having Mr. Perfect (no, not that one) in your corner doesn't hurt, either. I'm still not crazy about it, not by a long shot; but if I could, I'd post a Do Not Want puppy now.

According to the Winnipeg Sun, Claude Noel will be announced as the head coach of the franchise. [LINK] They've also released their pre-season schedule, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff says that their draft pick will be given a 'generic NHL sweater'. [LINK]

The tone of grey they use clashes with the orange, I think. Even with the white in between them. I also hate how bulky the names become on the back. They can still wear the orange D hat, but I'd love to see them go navy on grey. Even if they keep the more modernized 'Detroit' script. I'm thinking that Don Kelly moves to 2B. Worth is back down in AAA, so I'm guessing Raburn and Kelly platoon the position.

Markov is apparently getting close to re-signing in Montreal. Some places are already reporting that a deal is in place, but LeBrun just tweeted the following:

At this point, I think that's all the Winter Classic is about. Otherwise other, more deserving teams would be getting their chance to play outdoors. How Minnesota - the nation's hockey capital - hasn't hosted a WC on top of the Mall of America I'll never know.

Yeah, the NHL has already said that they will open up the rights for the Jets if this new Winnipeg franchise chooses to use them.

The bats finally came alive today. Day off tomorrow, thankfully. Hopefully the offense will come back to life after the rest. Side note, I loved the Tigers jerseys today. I've long wished they'd drop the white and orange from the away unis - and now I want to see it even more. Elsewhere in baseball, Colorado continues to screw us - this time by failing to beat the Tribe today. 1 GB

:thumbup: :clap: :thumbup: Way to go, Nick! Very well deserved!

Just a fan-made mock up, I really doubt the Flyers are trying to invoke the Philadelphia Quakers.

The Tribune seems to be pretty set that he'll be a Penguin.

Somewhat surprising that they're saying the jersey their draft pick receives may not be representative of the jerseys they'll be wearing next year. How much longer before they choose a name? If it's not the Jets people are going to lose it, so they might as well just go with it.

*bows* I'm interested to see what Nashville's new jerseys will look like. Hopefully they don't have a checkered stripe.

I assume you mean the last time.

Not crazy about the wordmark or the NP ligature, but I like the simplified logo. Nice that it doesn't look like a chrome cat anymore.