who here misses the old divisions?

Question

good old
Clarence Campbell vs Prince of Wales

Patrick
Team
Philadelphia Flyers
Washington Capitals
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
New Jersey Devils

Adams
Team
Quebec Nordiques
Montreal Canadiens
Boston Bruins
Hartford Whalers
Buffalo Sabres

Smythe
Team
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames
Winnipeg Jets
Vancouver Canucks
Los Angeles Kings

Norris
Team
Chicago Blackhawks
Minnesota North Stars
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings

Answer 1

The old divisions rocked. Very competitive. Made for great rivalry's. However the new divisions are meant to keep travel time to a minimum so i guess they fly too... i dont like how each team plays its own division teams 8 times though.. thats just too many times.

Answer 2

I don't. There was a huge number of complaints when the divisions were named (I was on the committee representing the Black hawks at the time) as there were numerous other names that people felt should have been considered....but weren't (Richard was considered, Howe was considered, Hull was considered, Blake was considered, Conacher was considered, etc)

As for all these people complaining about the schedule, the current schedule system was agreed upon long before Bettman came into office

Also, the current scheduling system is not Bettman's idea. The rules to change the schedule were suggested by the NHLPA in 1981. Alan Eagleson felt that with the extra teams (the NHL had taken in 4 WHA teams 2 years earlier) there was too much travel and this affected the players (read - it affected the contract potential of his clients).

So for those who complain about teams playing teams in their own conference 8x each, that has been happening for 25 years. Aside from a 4 year period(77-78 through 80-81) the NHL has always played an unbalanced schedule in favour of inter-divisional matchups. Starting in 1981-82, each team played each team in theor own division 8x (32 games (4X8)), and the rest of the league 3x each (48 games (16X3)), except the Smythe Division (Divisional Games (5x7 = 35 games) and Non-Divisional Games (15*3 = 45 games).

In 1991, the Players association created the idea of a Baseball style schedule idea where you only play teams within your own conference. The owners supported this idea. John Ziegler did not!

In 1997, in anticipation of a 30 team league, the players association once again presented to the league the idea of a non-interlocking schedule. This schedule was turned down by Bettman who mandated that each team should play each other team at least once. The owners disagreed and planned a scheduling system would rely heavily on interdivisional matchups (similar to baseball and football) and rotate inter-conference play on a divisional basis (similar to football and baseball). The players accepted this.

So now, each teams plays 1x against 2 divisions from the other conference (10 games), 8x against teams in their own division (32games), and 4x against the rest of the conference (40 games).

There are some inequalities of the system. The Avalanche have been to Boston 4x, the Bruins have been to Denver 9x.

The Nashville Predators have played in Toronto 6x, Toronto has been to Nashville 1x

For the record, from 1970-71 Chicago played 9x each against Los Angeles, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Bloomington and St. Louis (54 games) while playing the East Conference Teams 24 games - Boston, Detroit, Montreal, Rangers, Toronto, Buffalo, and Vancouver.

Answer 3

No, as the Snorris sucked and super weak Laff teams with 57 pts would make the playoffs and the Nux got stuck in the same div. as Oilers and lames powerhouses. the '80s were no fun unless you were an Isle or Oiler fan. Plus although the divisional playoffs were intense the Conference Finals were often anti-climatic as the Smythe would usually get a much weaker Snorris opponent draining the playoffs of any drama.

I think the divisions now are fine, just get rid of this stupid 8 games vs. each team in own div. in regular season so we are not stuck seeing Ovechkin or Crosby only once every three seasons.

Answer 4

Buddy, I certainly miss the old "Chuck" Norris division when they use to beat he crap out of each. Whatever happened to Dino Ciccerelli anyway? Denis Savard of the BlackHawks,Bernie Federko of the Blues? Al Iafrate of the Leafs?
Don't forget these teams either:
California Golden Seals
Cleveland Barons
Kansas City Scouts
Colorado Rockies

Answer 5

I miss the names! Bettman is an idiot who doesn't know hockey from basketball. He told Canadians not to underestimate his love of the game, but everything he has done shows he has no clue at all. The old names honoured original builders of the NHL. I guess since Bettman never was paid directly by these men has couldn't care about them.

When is a hockey person going to run the NHL again? I know he's as exciting as watching paint dry, but I think Ken Dryden should be NHL commisioner.

Answer 6

I kinda do. Espically having the Capitals in our division(Penguins fan) and there was a rivalry there. Even more of one now with the NHL trying to promote one, but honestly there was one.

Answer 7

Who doesn't miss em. Detroit not playing Toronto on a regular? Sick.

The Nordiques/Habs rivalry...

Answer 8

I do but that stupid Bettman changed them all and brought all these new teams and changed the other teams around.Bring it back to the way it was.

Answer 9

Good times... It's just as bad in the NFL nowadays.

_

Answer 10

i do but then i miss the original 6!!!