Thoughts On A Monday Evening

from Elliotte Friedman of CBC, • Conventional wisdom is that the Western Conference matchup to avoid is the No. 4 / No. 5 fight between two of Detroit, Nashville and Chicago. After all, the thinking is, you’d rather finish sixth and face the Pacific Division winner. Here’s the flaw: travel. Since 2000, nine Central Division teams have won a first-round series against a team at least two time zones away. How many went on to reach the Cup Final? One. (That’s Detroit, which captured the crown in 2002.)

• Had an interesting conversation this week with a non-Florida employee who really thought Brian Campbell deserves much more consideration for the Norris, and even a little for the Hart. Don’t know if I’d go that far on the latter, but he’s quietly lifting mountains for the Panthers. Campbell, who’s played every night, leads the NHL in time on ice (overall, even-strength and per-game).

• Think the NHL was extremely unhappy about Quebec City’s arena announcement. Hated the timing, and let the organizers know it. The more you try to look into what is really going on, the more you realize there may not be five people who know the truth. And, they’re not talking. Best guess: they are working very hard to find a way for Greg Jamison to buy the Coyotes.

more including Pens/Flyers talk…

Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/thoughts_on_a_monday_evening1/

Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill