What's up with the Central Division?

Question

If the Wings end up winning the division again this year, all the Wing-bashers can't use their "central division sucks" excuse this year. That's to say the Wings can win it. They've struggled a little this year, especially against the Hawks. Does it surprise anyone that the Central division is the best in the league right now?

Hmmm..JJburke, I hate to make an example out of you, but how can you say NYR's division is the best? Because the last place team and first place team are separated by six points? All that says is that they're possibly the worst division, especially (12/5/07) as it stands, if Nashville were to win their next two games, they would have as many GP and points as the beloved Rangers. So, I don't think you can call them the best, considering our last place team could very well have as many points as Atlantic's first place team.

Source: I took the time to actually look at the standings, instead of glancing at them.

Answer 1

Now hold on LITY. In order to have Detroit's support in that, you gotta have MY signature (and it's way too ******* long and unique to copy).

To answer the question: I wasn't expecting much other than Detroit taking the division.

989: Minnesota is a freakin' state and, therefore, is DQ'd from ever being called Hockeytown. If you want wherever the Wild are playing to be called Hockeytown, USA, get them to win 10 Stanley Cups and call us.

Just stating facts, that's all.

Answer 2

The Wings have lost their games to Chicago - this is because Chicago is a fast team and the Wings have to find a solution to that (faster defensemen).

That being said, if you take out the Chicago games for a moment, the Wings only have two losses all year, and only one in their division - which, as you say, is the strongest so far this year.

The Wings need to find some fast defensemen. BUT - given that they have the best record in the entire NHL, and have a winning record against every team except one, I would never use the word "struggling."

Are there "Wings bashers"? That surprises me, since the Wings are an easy team to like. Almost to a man they are honest, hard-working, charitable, team players. The core group has done things for one another that most teams would never see. In 2002, for expample, many of the stars took pay cuts so the team could sign Hasek and Hull. Can't imagine why anyone would want to bash them for their success.

Answer 3

After some down years, the Hawks, Jackets and Blues seem to have found a solid nucleous of younger players (I know the Blues still have some old farts). Even Nashville with the personnel losses they have suffered is looking ok. However, with young players it is always interesting to see how they will hold up over the long season, and no one can predict injuries. This Division is still Detroits. The competition is catching up, but the Wings will own it for at least another season.

This has actually turned into one of the best divisions to watch. I personally pull for the Hawks, and my wife(who just watches to appease me) has taken a liken to the Blues.(She's a music teacher and likes the blue note) I hope this division continues to improve.

Answer 4

It is a bit of a surprise with the Hawks and Jackets looking impressive so far this season, and is the best division in the Western Conference, but isn't the best in the league right now. The Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference is. The first place Rangers and the last place Penguins are seperated by only 6 points right now.

Answer 5

I don't see any reason for the Wings not to win the division this year. Nor am I surprised that they are also #1 in the league. The right question is, how are they going to do in the playoffs? They have had a history of going strong into the playoffs and then failing to produce and leaving early on.

Answer 6

Next year the Wings won't have to worry about winning the Central Division because last week I was able to get the Board of Governors to move St. Louis, Nashville, and Columbus to other divisions so that Chicago and Detroit could meet 82x next year. Only way I can think of to end Detroit's domination and get Chicago into the playoffs.

I even forged Moosey's signature as Detroit's agreement to this plan.

Answer 7

No not really those teams had to get better eventually. I mean you have to figure they have all drafted good rookies and had to get better.

Detroit- Have been good for a while now.

St Louis- IDK if you can call them bad they made the playoffs 25 straight seasons (1979-1980 - 2003-2004)

Nashville- The last 3 seasons Nashville has been a solid team.

Chicago- They have drafted Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Brent Seabrook. And they are finally winning some games.

Columbus- They have drafted Rick Nash, Nikolai Zherdev, Rostislav Klesla, and Pascal Leclaire in the first round. Its about time they start to win games.

Answer 8

Chicago - Wirtz kicking the bucket was the best thing to ever happen to that franchise
Columbus - All that talent and their coaching staff had to pay off sometime
Detroit - The New England Patroits of hockey
Nashville - See Columbus
St. Louis - With John Davidson in charge, you knew they weren't going to stay doormats for very long

Answer 9

LITY-- Haha. I didn't even knew that you knew my signature. But hey, if ya did, I tip my hat to ya.

But, yea I asked a question like this a couple weeks ago.

I think its very surprising. Noone predicted Columbus or the Hawks to do this good. The blues, a lil surprising, but not much.

Answer 10

Bring back the Norris Division!
- Minnesota
- Chicago
- Detroit
- St. Louis
- and move phoenix right back up to Winnipeg, they can take the same road out as they came in.

By the way, Minnesota has taken over as the US hockeytown. I'm just stating the facts.