Wings announce preseason schedule

by Christy on Jul 9, 2009 7:37 PM CDT

Earlier today the Red Wings announced their preseason schedule, including a game in Sweden. All eight of the preseason games to be played in the U.S. will be against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit kicks off its preseason on September 16 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Sept. 16 vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Philadelphia, TBD
Sept. 25 vs. Toronto at Joe Louis Arena, 7:30
Sept. 26 at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 vs. Pittsburgh at Joe Louis Arena, 5 p.m.
Sept. 30 at Farjestads (Karlstad, Sweden), TBD

Obviously the last two preseason games hold the most interest for Wings fans (or at the very least me), but it's always great to get a chance to play Eastern Conference teams including back-to-back contests against Toronto. I know the season just ended last month, but I can't wait for hockey to start back up again!

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That's a SCHED!

Man, I could go for that kind of schedule all season.

Philadelphia, New York, Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh…

I can GET to those places. I mean, those are $100 flights or 4- to 6-hour drives. I know people in those cities. They have couches that I could crash on.

What do we gotta do, Bettman? Can you remember a time in sports when one fan base ever cared this much about being in the wrong conference (okay, I’ll maybe give you Tampa Bay (NFL) having to play December games in Green Bay, but who cares about Florida teams? 2000 people. That’s why Elian is never coming back. Whoa, tangent…)

Back to point: this pre-season schedule just slammed home again how much I hate being in the Western Conference.

So just for giggles, and because it’s rude to criticize without providing a better idea, here’s a better idea:

Misopogon’s Realignment Plan
Bullets:

5 Divisions of 6 teams

No Conferences

“Pick Your Poison” Playoff Opponent Draft

Playoffs:
At the end of the season, the five division winners and 11 Wild Card teams (the next best 11 records) become the Playoff Pool. The President’s Trophy winner selects their 1st round opponent from that pool. Then the division leader with the 2nd-best overall point total selects their opponent from the remaining pool. Each round, there’s a new opponent selection draft. It’s a little more complicated, but that’s the basic gist.

Divisions:
Northeast (Patrick-Adams):

Ottawa Senators
New York Islanders
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils

Southeast (Dixie):

Tampa Bay Lightning
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
Atlanta Thrashers
Carolina Hurricanes
Washington Capitals

Pacific (Gretzky):

Vancouver Canucks
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames
Anaheim Ducks
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks

Heartland (Central)

Colorado Avalanche
Phoenix Coyotes
Columbus Blue Jackets
Minnesota Wild
St. Louis Blues
Dallas Stars

Norris (Original Six)

Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers
Boston Bruins
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadiens

by Misopogon on Jul 10, 2009 5:45 AM CDT reply actions

Playoffs

I like your idea of selecting an opponent. I always thought that if you won top place you should be able to pick your opponent, and so on down the pecking order. This way the Wings for example could pick a team they had success during the year with or the travelling distance and not be forced into a team. After the first round rerank them and then top chooses and so forth.

by Jim P on Jul 10, 2009 9:53 PM CDT reply actions