NHL Board Approves Re-Alignment Plan

When the NHL moved the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg and kept the modern era Jets in the Eastern Conference's Southeast division one thing was clear...there needed to be realignment. There was no justifying keeping them in that division.

A failed plan last season kept the Jets in the SE this season (http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/feed/2011-08/nhl-realignment/story/nhl-realignment-plan-delayed-denied-new-playoff-format-nhlpa). So it was back to the drawing board.

Today, the NHL Board of Governors approved the proposed realignment plan that will now see two 7 team divisions in the West and two 8 team division in the East. The Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets are moving to the East and, of course, the Winnipeg Jets are moving their talents to the West.

(photo courtesy of NHL.com, further breakdown of the alignment can be found here http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138&navid=DL|NHL|home)

As a Washington Capitals fan, it's been nice the past few years running through the weakest division in the NHL. This is no more. While there are still a few pushovers, I'm looking at you Columbus and New York (Islanders, of course). The Devils, Rangers, Flyers and Penguins not only expand the amount of rivalry games between the two teams, but pose a serious threat to a Capitals team that is struggling majorly in this year's NHL.

I like the setup. Being a Pennsylvania resident, it'll make the rivalries even more active than they've been for me with the Caps playing my home state teams.

More coverage of this and much more will be featured on my next podcast. Stay tuned to my twitter feed (@BigJimSportSlam) for broadcast info. Also, check out all archived versions of my podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/bigjimsportsslam or by searching iTunes for "Big Jim's Sports Slam"

8

I know it's been awhile, been lots going on but I'll jump right back into the blog.

8. That is a huge number right now for me. Notre Dame is 8-0 for the first time in years and they have won 4 games against top 25 opponents. They have a legitimate chance to play for the national championship for the first time since '88. The next 3 games worry me more than their final game. This Saturday they host Pitt, travel to Boston College next Saturday and then host Wake Forest in the home finale on 11/17. All season this team has played with a chip on its shoulders because the sports media as a whole was not giving them the credit they earned. These next 3 weeks the Irish will surely be heavily favored. They must keep focused or they will lose one of these. After these games, the Trojans of USC are waiting in the wings for the annual showdown. The last time the Irish traveled to the city of angels they came out winners. Hopefully lightning can strike twice.

8. Through week 8 of the NFL season, my Dallas Cowboys are a huge disappointment. That might not even begin to describe it. They opened the season with a lot of hope, or should I say hype. The defeated the NY Giants and spoiled the Super Bowl champions' celebration. Since then it has all been downhill. Only getting wins versus Tampa Bay and Carolina. They continue to kill themselves with mental mistakes and undisciplined play. This will not change. They do not have a coach who can lead them. They do not have a GM to bring in proper personnel. It will be another long and heartbreaking season in Big D. I wish they were more like the Chiefs, they don't give their fans any reason to hope.

8. The Great 8. Ovi. This time of year is normally joyous for me. The NHL is usually underway and I am enjoying watching my Washington Capitals. However, this year because of greed and stupidity the NHL is locked out. In just a few days the league is expected to cancel the All Star Game and the Winter Classic. If these 2 things happen, I am positive what I have predicted since last spring will occur - the cancellation of the entire NHL season. How can we get rid of Bettman? He is killing the greatest sport known to man.

8, minus 1. 7 (Okay I know this one is a stretch, had to keep the theme rolling). The Hershey Bears have played 7 games and are 3-3-1. They have given up 21 goals and scored 21. A lot of new and younger faces on the squad this year. Along with the new look and colors. Much excitement surrounds the 75th anniversary of the AHL's loudest and proudest franchise. I don't expect this team to win the Calder Cup, I just want to see an exciting and productive product on the ice. They haven't disappointed so far.

WHAT A YEAR (taken from previous blog)

For starters let me clarify I live in central PA and I am hardcore Hershey Bears, Washington Capitals, Baltimore Orioles, Dallas Cowboys and Notre Dame football fan. With the exception of the Bears and Orioles my teams are HATED where I live, I get it and I love it.

That being said right now I’m sitting here, October 10, watching the O’s play the Yankees in the ALDS. When Buck Showalter took over this team last year, I knew the future would be bright. Love him or hate him the man is a winner. Growing up my dad had the 1989 Orioles highlight tape. The motto for that year was “why not” – that team finished 2nd place in the division one year after losing 107 games. I jokingly said “why not” version 2. This team will make the playoffs and win the division. They fell just short of the division crown but broke the streak of 15 straight losing seasons. Nothing short of incredible. Hopefully the can keep “Orioles magic” going.

The Fighting Irish are #7 in the nation and 5-0. College Gameday is rolling into South Bend this weekend and the Irish have a chance to do something special this year. I predicted them preseason to finish 5-7, now it looks like they could finish 10-2 or better! After 2 straight 8-5 seasons Brian Kelly has to be a front runner (currently) for coach of the year.

With the Hershey Bears’ 75th anniversary season set to start and the NHL in a lockout that looks like it’ll last for a long time I hope the Chocolate and White can make this year something special.

This year the sports gods have smiled on my teams. Hopefully it continues

REVISED-

What a year for the Orioles, nothing but happiness for what that team did this year. The future is bright in Charm City

Notre Dame is now #5 in the Coaches/AP/BCS polls. I am confident that IF they go 12-0 they will be playing in the BCS national championship game. GO IRISH!

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