Last night was the first All Star Game in the NHL in 3 years, and it lived up to its expectations. With a 12-9 final score, goaltenders and hard-hitting defencemen were resigned to watch the league's best skill players put on an offensive show for the fans. But the bigger story happened off the ice; the league has decided, by the slimmest of margins, to keep the current schedule format for one more year.
Under the current format, teams play within their own division a total of 32 times (8 games versus 4 opponents) which takes up almost half of a team's schedule for a season. Also, there is one division in the opposing conference which a team will not meet at all. While the format will be looked at again next year, and probably changed, this is not enough. The league is one, not truly separated by division or conference lines. Unlike baseball, which has a rich history of two distinct leagues, hockey has constantly rebuilt as it has expanded, and forcing division rivalries down the fan's throats only results in teams and fans getting sick of playing a team.
Take the Leafs, for example. They played the Bruins 5 times in a span of a month, and when that happens, no rivalry can be established. All it means is that if a Leafs/Bruins game is crucial late in the season, they won't have many opportunities to play each other.
I have long been a proponent of ditching the division/conference setup, and simply allowing the best 16 teams to make the playoffs. But I know that this option is extremely unlikely, so how about this - let each team play each team every season.
Yes, there should be rivalry games set up, and those teams should play each other more often, but the league should be more creative in it. Like setting up games between Original six or all-Canadian franchises would be more interesting to the average fan than seeing Atlanta play Carolina 8 times a year.
So, here's my plan: 4 games against division teams (2 home, 2 road, 16 total) 4 games against conference teams (2 home, 2 road, 40 total), 1 game against each team in the other conference (8 home, 7 road {alternating each year}, 15 total), and 11 games left over for each team to build their own setup. Original six teams: play each at least once. Canadian teams: play each at least once. But the best part is that all teams can have a say in who they want to play; Los Angeles may choose to host Pittsburgh or Washington an extra time to help fill the arena. Not everyone would get their top choice, but it would allow owners to have a say as to who they play, at least for 11 games a year.
This will create matchups that fans want to see, and it would still allow Calgary to play Edmonton at least 5 times, as well as Toronto and Montreal. Plus, each team would play everyone all year, and the star players like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin would visit your local arena at the bare minimum of once every 2 years.
Here's hoping the NHL makes a concerted effort this off season to fix the schedule, otherwise fans may find themselves on the outside, with no desire to look in.
Super Bowl pick to come next week...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Final Four
Okay, so I'm 6-2 against the spread this postseason, so it appears that I finally may seem like I know what I'm talking about. But this weekend is extremely difficult, with the home Colts and Bears both favoured by 3, and both games expected to be close. So, here goes:
Saints @ Bears = Both New Orleans and Chicago did just enough to win last week, but that's what the good teams do; find a way to win. The Saints offence is fantastic, both with the run and the pass, but Chicago has one of the top defences in the league. Rex Grossman played an average game against Seattle, and the Saints' defence is good, but not great. I guess what I'm saying is this: I have no idea who will win this game. Hey, at least I'm honest.
I will say this: the Saints seem a team of destiny this year, and I'm not one to go against fate. Saints by 3.
Patriots @ Colts = The game of the year, regardless of the Super Bowl matchup. How fantastic is it for football fans everywhere that it's New England and Indianapolis again? As everyone knows, there are two big differences this time around: the game is in Indianapolis, and Adam Vinateri is on the other sideline. Brady and the Patriots tend to do just enough to win, but it won't be enough this week; Peyton Manning's due for a big game, and due for a Super Bowl trip. I'll have my eyes closed towards the end of this one, because it'll be too hard to watch if the Pats find a way to win it. I don't think they will. At least I hope.
Colts by 7.
There you go: Saints vs. Colts in the Super Bowl. Sounds good to me.
Saints @ Bears = Both New Orleans and Chicago did just enough to win last week, but that's what the good teams do; find a way to win. The Saints offence is fantastic, both with the run and the pass, but Chicago has one of the top defences in the league. Rex Grossman played an average game against Seattle, and the Saints' defence is good, but not great. I guess what I'm saying is this: I have no idea who will win this game. Hey, at least I'm honest.
I will say this: the Saints seem a team of destiny this year, and I'm not one to go against fate. Saints by 3.
Patriots @ Colts = The game of the year, regardless of the Super Bowl matchup. How fantastic is it for football fans everywhere that it's New England and Indianapolis again? As everyone knows, there are two big differences this time around: the game is in Indianapolis, and Adam Vinateri is on the other sideline. Brady and the Patriots tend to do just enough to win, but it won't be enough this week; Peyton Manning's due for a big game, and due for a Super Bowl trip. I'll have my eyes closed towards the end of this one, because it'll be too hard to watch if the Pats find a way to win it. I don't think they will. At least I hope.
Colts by 7.
There you go: Saints vs. Colts in the Super Bowl. Sounds good to me.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Divisional Playoff Picks
So, I had a pretty good weekend pick-wise for once (3-1 against the spread), but this week is much harder to predict. Teams with the bye invariably perform well this week, and the visiting team usually has put so much into their last game that their energy is less for the divisional round. But I do think that there might be at least one upset this weekend.
Colts @ Ravens (3.5) = The publicized matchup is the Colts' proficient offence against the Ravens' punishing defence. But the game will likely be determined when Baltimore has the ball. Steve McNair, a former co-MVP with Peyton Manning, is not the quarterback he used to be, and the offence is average at best. The Colts' strength on defence is their pass rush, and with McNair being less than mobile nowadays, they should be able to hold the Ravens to less than 20 points, which is good since the Colts offence won't be able to put up the usual high numbers they expect to. But they'll put up 21 and head to the AFC championship game. Colts by 1.
Eagles @ Saints (5.5) = New Orleans has been off the radar for a few weeks now, what with their bye week and their lacklustre play in their final few games. Their reward is a home game against the league's hottest team, the Eagles, coming in having won 7 straight games. The Saints have been a great story all year, but it ends here. Unfortunately. Eagles by 7.
Seahawks @ Bears (8.5) = There are two schools of thought regarding this game. Either the Seahawks are lucky to be here, and with their 37-6 loss to Chicago earlier, are likely to fall to the same fate again, or Chicago's struggles in their last few games will continue, and Seattle will survive another week. I like Seattle, enough to take them to cover, but Chicago moves on. Bears by 4.
Patriots @ Chargers (4.5) = People seem to think that this will be the marquee game of the weekend, but I disagree. New England put a lot of effort into their dismantling of the Jets, and they had to travel across the country for this game. San Diego is rested, and they have the two most important factors to win in the playoffs: running and defense. Even though Belichick and Brady are set up for January football, it's not their year. Thankfully. Chargers by 10.
Enjoy the games.
Colts @ Ravens (3.5) = The publicized matchup is the Colts' proficient offence against the Ravens' punishing defence. But the game will likely be determined when Baltimore has the ball. Steve McNair, a former co-MVP with Peyton Manning, is not the quarterback he used to be, and the offence is average at best. The Colts' strength on defence is their pass rush, and with McNair being less than mobile nowadays, they should be able to hold the Ravens to less than 20 points, which is good since the Colts offence won't be able to put up the usual high numbers they expect to. But they'll put up 21 and head to the AFC championship game. Colts by 1.
Eagles @ Saints (5.5) = New Orleans has been off the radar for a few weeks now, what with their bye week and their lacklustre play in their final few games. Their reward is a home game against the league's hottest team, the Eagles, coming in having won 7 straight games. The Saints have been a great story all year, but it ends here. Unfortunately. Eagles by 7.
Seahawks @ Bears (8.5) = There are two schools of thought regarding this game. Either the Seahawks are lucky to be here, and with their 37-6 loss to Chicago earlier, are likely to fall to the same fate again, or Chicago's struggles in their last few games will continue, and Seattle will survive another week. I like Seattle, enough to take them to cover, but Chicago moves on. Bears by 4.
Patriots @ Chargers (4.5) = People seem to think that this will be the marquee game of the weekend, but I disagree. New England put a lot of effort into their dismantling of the Jets, and they had to travel across the country for this game. San Diego is rested, and they have the two most important factors to win in the playoffs: running and defense. Even though Belichick and Brady are set up for January football, it's not their year. Thankfully. Chargers by 10.
Enjoy the games.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
It's Time For A Change
The first week of the NFL postseason is past now, and it was packed with enough excitement to last until training camp in August. And we're lucky - there's still 3 more weeks to go. But this time of year always brings me to thoughts of realignment; not for the divisions, but for the playoff structure.
I was disgusted by the fact that the New York Giants made the playoffs this season with a 8-8 record, when the Denver Broncos, at 9-7, missed the playoffs in the AFC. Now, I don't particularly like either of these teams, so this is not a case for my team to get in. The Bills were 7-9, and aren't ready yet. But this is an argument for parity in a league that thrives on it. Here is my proposal.
Eliminate the conference playoffs, and seed the best 12 teams in order for the postseason. I would keep the current schedule order and divisions so as not to cut out current division and conference rivalries, as well as keeping the division winner as a playoff team to keep the winning of the division title as an important goal. But I would eliminate the seeding preference those teams get, and rank purely on record. So, if this system were to exist now, here's how it would look this postseason:
1) San Diego (14-2)
2) Chicago (13-3)
3) Baltimore (13-3)
4) Indianapolis (12-4)
5) New England (12-4)
6) New Orleans (10-6)
7) Philadelphia (10-6)
8) New York Jets (10-6)
9) Kansas City (9-7)
10) Seattle (9-7)
11) Denver (9-7)
12) Dallas (9-7)
Note that all seedings are based on current NFL tiebreaking procedures. First of all, under this system, Denver makes the playoffs while the Giants stay home. Why? Simply because the Broncos have the better record, which should be the deciding factor rather than the circumstance of a team's conference. Also, with the top 4 teams having a bye, Indianapolis gets a bye instead of the Saints, which their two extra wins provides. So, the matchups:
Cowboys @ Patriots; Broncos @ Saints; Seahawks @ Eagles; Chiefs @ Jets.
The first two games are between teams that only play each other every 4 years, which creates a more interesting matchup as the teams only have film to prepare themselves. The other two games feature teams that didn't play this year, again no old game to fall back on. And isn't it fair that the 10-6 Jets host a playoff game while the 9-7 Seahawks have to go on the road? I think so.
The days of AFL-NFL separation are long over, and it's time for the playoff structure to follow suit. This method would reward teams for a better regular season record, and not punish them for being in a stronger conference, and, in the case of the Giants, reward them because they play in a weak one. It's time for a change.
I was disgusted by the fact that the New York Giants made the playoffs this season with a 8-8 record, when the Denver Broncos, at 9-7, missed the playoffs in the AFC. Now, I don't particularly like either of these teams, so this is not a case for my team to get in. The Bills were 7-9, and aren't ready yet. But this is an argument for parity in a league that thrives on it. Here is my proposal.
Eliminate the conference playoffs, and seed the best 12 teams in order for the postseason. I would keep the current schedule order and divisions so as not to cut out current division and conference rivalries, as well as keeping the division winner as a playoff team to keep the winning of the division title as an important goal. But I would eliminate the seeding preference those teams get, and rank purely on record. So, if this system were to exist now, here's how it would look this postseason:
1) San Diego (14-2)
2) Chicago (13-3)
3) Baltimore (13-3)
4) Indianapolis (12-4)
5) New England (12-4)
6) New Orleans (10-6)
7) Philadelphia (10-6)
8) New York Jets (10-6)
9) Kansas City (9-7)
10) Seattle (9-7)
11) Denver (9-7)
12) Dallas (9-7)
Note that all seedings are based on current NFL tiebreaking procedures. First of all, under this system, Denver makes the playoffs while the Giants stay home. Why? Simply because the Broncos have the better record, which should be the deciding factor rather than the circumstance of a team's conference. Also, with the top 4 teams having a bye, Indianapolis gets a bye instead of the Saints, which their two extra wins provides. So, the matchups:
Cowboys @ Patriots; Broncos @ Saints; Seahawks @ Eagles; Chiefs @ Jets.
The first two games are between teams that only play each other every 4 years, which creates a more interesting matchup as the teams only have film to prepare themselves. The other two games feature teams that didn't play this year, again no old game to fall back on. And isn't it fair that the 10-6 Jets host a playoff game while the 9-7 Seahawks have to go on the road? I think so.
The days of AFL-NFL separation are long over, and it's time for the playoff structure to follow suit. This method would reward teams for a better regular season record, and not punish them for being in a stronger conference, and, in the case of the Giants, reward them because they play in a weak one. It's time for a change.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Wild Card Weekend
Okay, so my picks for the last 3 weeks of the regular season yielded me a below .500 record, but it's a whole new season now: playoff time.
Time for my picks, listed for you on a clean slate:
Chiefs @ Colts (6.5) = On paper, this game should be the most entertaining. Two fantastic offences playing indoors against two lacklustre defences. Peyton Manning and the Colts have struggled lately, barely beating Miami at home on its finale. Kansas City stood up on Sunday, beating the talented Jaguars at home to make the very difficult AFC postseason. If Kansas City runs the ball with Larry Johnson against the weak Colts run defence, the Chiefs have a shot. But the Colts are undefeated at home this year, and there is less pressure on Indianapolis this year than years past. Manning should get this one done, but the defence will need to produce a turnover or two to get him the win. I think they will. Colts by 10.
Cowboys @ Seahawks (3) = What's wrong with the Dallas Cowboys? A few games ago, Dallas looked unstoppable, and headed towards a division title and a possible first round bye. But you can't lose to Philadelphia at home and to Detroit, well, anywhere, and expect the same result. Now the Cowboys are forced to go on the road to Seattle, where the Seahawks are traditionally very tough at home. Alas, this is not the same team that went to the Super Bowl last year. If Dallas brings their top game, they'll win easily. If not, Seattle will sneak by. I'll take Bill Parcells in this one. Cowboys by 6.
Jets @ Patriots (8.5) = New York enters the postseason as the least experienced team still playing. The Patriots are anything but, and live all year for these four weeks. The Jets should be praised for getting this far, but it ends here. Patriots by 14.
Giants @ Eagles (7) = The Giants do not deserve to get into the playoffs. There, I said it. And I hope Philadelphia crushes them this weekend as a warning to all other 8-8 teams to enter future postseasons: you have no right to be here, and you will be eliminated. Handily. Here's hoping I'm right. Eagles by 17.
Regular season record: 21-26-1
Time for my picks, listed for you on a clean slate:
Chiefs @ Colts (6.5) = On paper, this game should be the most entertaining. Two fantastic offences playing indoors against two lacklustre defences. Peyton Manning and the Colts have struggled lately, barely beating Miami at home on its finale. Kansas City stood up on Sunday, beating the talented Jaguars at home to make the very difficult AFC postseason. If Kansas City runs the ball with Larry Johnson against the weak Colts run defence, the Chiefs have a shot. But the Colts are undefeated at home this year, and there is less pressure on Indianapolis this year than years past. Manning should get this one done, but the defence will need to produce a turnover or two to get him the win. I think they will. Colts by 10.
Cowboys @ Seahawks (3) = What's wrong with the Dallas Cowboys? A few games ago, Dallas looked unstoppable, and headed towards a division title and a possible first round bye. But you can't lose to Philadelphia at home and to Detroit, well, anywhere, and expect the same result. Now the Cowboys are forced to go on the road to Seattle, where the Seahawks are traditionally very tough at home. Alas, this is not the same team that went to the Super Bowl last year. If Dallas brings their top game, they'll win easily. If not, Seattle will sneak by. I'll take Bill Parcells in this one. Cowboys by 6.
Jets @ Patriots (8.5) = New York enters the postseason as the least experienced team still playing. The Patriots are anything but, and live all year for these four weeks. The Jets should be praised for getting this far, but it ends here. Patriots by 14.
Giants @ Eagles (7) = The Giants do not deserve to get into the playoffs. There, I said it. And I hope Philadelphia crushes them this weekend as a warning to all other 8-8 teams to enter future postseasons: you have no right to be here, and you will be eliminated. Handily. Here's hoping I'm right. Eagles by 17.
Regular season record: 21-26-1
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