Those Streaking Hawks

Wow! 20-0-3 is unbelievable and they are showing no signs of slowing down.  Chicago knocked off the Wild today easily with a 5-3 win.  It is hard for me to root for a rival of my hometown team, but i think if your a hockey fan you have to admire whats going on in Chicago.  I think they have added momentum that gives them an extra boost, but will this carry over the rest of the season and into the playoffs?  

One of my earlier blogs pitted Chicago against San Jose as the battle of undefeateds and now San Jose is a 500 team.  could the same happen to Chicago or was San Jose just lucky to start the season hot and with an easy schedule.  I don't think San Jose was a fake but they were just no match for the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks have proven to be a definite contender and I cant wait to see what else this shortened season has in store for this awesome team.  Some even consider the 2013 Blackhawks to be one of the best sports teams ever.  What do you think?

Exciting Changes In the NHL This Week

Two big deals in the NHL and a new conference alignment proposed.  It has been a busy few days and it’s exciting. 

Best trade in my opinion happened today between Montreal and Dallas.  Dallas sent Michael Ryder and a 3^rd round pick to the Canadiens in exchange for veteran Erik Cole.  Michael Ryder is a little familiar with the Canadiens organization because he was drafted there and played his first four years in the NHL there.  I think this is more exciting for Montreal because they got a 3^rd round pick and Ryder who has 6 goals and 14 points already this season and Cole only has 3 goals and 3 points, but I am excited to see the presence he’ll bring to the Dallas organization considering he has a Stanley Cup ring.  

                                          Source: NHL.com

Another big trade was Simon Gagne going back to Philadelphia for a 4th round pick.  This was surprising to me because I think Gagne is worth more than a 4th round pick regardless of his stats so far this season which is 0 goals and 5 points.  I think this will help Philadelphia a lot I'm excited to see if the move helps Gagne get back into his groove.

                                                       Source: pickywallpapers.com

The other big thing is the new proposal that would take the 6 divisions and 2 conferences and it would turn into 4 divisions that would help travel times.  The proposal would change the playoffs a little bit and I would like to see this happen.  The 4 divisions would be 7, 7, 8, and 8 teams.  I think that my earlier blog about the expansion teams would fit well with this realignment because 2 additional teams would even out he 4 divisions.  Heres a look at how the teams would be divided.

                                          Source: NHL.com

Ryan Kesler is Back, Watch Out Chicago

The Vancouver Canucks sit in third place in the Western Conference as of today.  They have gotten this far without Ryan Kesler and now he is back.  Returning from injury he has played in two games so far which both turned out to be losses.  He has registered a goal and an assist in the two games. 

Kesler is hoping for a better turnout tonight in Chicago.  I think Kesler being back is an amazing thing for the Vancouver Canucks.  This season they have an improved defense and some young talent that may be vital in the long run.  A big problem they are going through is deciding which goalie to start every day and should they trade Luongo?  Luongo is 4-0-3 and Schneider is 4-3-0 so the decision is hard both goalies are playing well. 

My opinion is that Luongo should be traded.  They made the decision to name Schneider the starter last year in the playoffs and they should have stuck with it.  I think they can get a combination of prospects and players that will have instant impact on the team today. 

Ryan Kesler is back and Vancouver will only get better but they could become even better with bringing some additional offense to the team by trading Luongo.   

Keith Yandle Would Fit Well In Detroit

Something that I look forward to every year are the big moves.  The trade deadline, draft day, and the start of free agency are like holidays to me because that is when a lot of trades happen.  Being a Hockeytown native I would like a big move in Detroit.

The biggest need I feel should be of concern is defense.  Not only has the Wings defense been battling injuries they just aren’t that deep and I consider Ericsson more of a second pair defensemen.  Kronwall needs a legitimate partner and I think Keith Yandle who’s name has been thrown around is worth giving up some assets for and maybe even bring back someone like Antoine Vermette or Radim Vrbata if you can get them to budge.  They may have to give up someone like Johan Franzen or Jan Mursak but with the return they are expendable.

My proposal would be

Detroit to receive Keith Yandle, Derek Morris, and Antoine Vermette

Phoenix to receive Johan Franzen, Jan Mursak, Jakub Kindl, Mikael Samuelsson, and some draft choices.

Now I don’t know in particular the salaries of all the players and how it would effect the salary caps of each team but this is just what I see as fair and if the salary would work or if some minor changes are needed in order to work then this would be awesome.

I know big trades with this many established players don’t tend to happen so I imagine if the Red Wings go after Keith Yandle it wont look the way I imagine I just think its fair for both teams and would be great for the Red Wings.

The Trade deadline isn’t till April and I cannot wait.  What players do you think will be on the move in the next couple months?  There are always buyers and sellers, but I think its still to early in the season for teams to decide which category they fall under.

Toronto and Quebec City to get their own NHL team

NHL expansion?

Today I read an article on yahoo that claims there are plans to expand to Toronto and Quebec City.  This plan makes a lot of sense to me personally because the realignment plan that has been thrown around calls for four conferences 8, 8, 7, and 7 so two new teams would even that out perfect.  The article I read http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-expansion-toronto-quebec-city-most-likely-next-152048215--nhl.html also included in this article they throw out the idea of 6 new teams making it 9 teams per conference.  The idea of expansion teams gets me real excited because the league is flooded with so much talent.  I think prospects would get chances sooner and you would be able to tell the difference between a teams 1^st and 3^rd line.  One city I could see getting a new team is Seattle I know that expansion will most likely be into Canada as it should, but Seattle just got a brand new arena where it looks like the Sacramento Kings of the NBA will be moving soon.  I definitely think they would like two professional teams in their new arena.  Plus I think a Seattle, Vancouver rivalry would spark instantly. 

I love the Idea of additional teams in the NHL the talent is definitely there and the NHL would benefit greatly with additional teams.

Does your city not have a team?  Where would you put a new team?  Maybe try Atlanta again... probably not.  Maybe if Toronto gets a second team why not add one to Detroit or a "New England" team.  Double up all the original six cities!!