tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post21981371625156109..comments2023-10-23T15:54:13.715-04:00Comments on The Dark Blue Jacket: Do the Red Wings have an Eastern Conference move in the bag?Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03563836029433927521noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-26852401236285600062011-09-30T11:53:49.307-04:002011-09-30T11:53:49.307-04:00No matter what Pizza Man thinks he was promised, r...No matter what Pizza Man thinks he was promised, realignment takes a vote. There are 15 teams in the east who don't need the competition, and at least a handful in the west who don't need the competition but will take the ticket sales. <br /><br />Detroit certainly wants to move for all of the same reasons as the CBJ. But, where the CBJ can make a legitimate argument about their move being good for the league, Detroit's move brings little benefit. Some increased attendance at the cost of a huge competitive disadvantage. <br /><br />The smart move is to do at least an unbalanced format that makes both teams happy. Better yet, look into the more radical plans. Try something new for a few years. See if any teams change cities and screw up the system again.Howye(GoodVybes)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-68449575107209556092011-09-30T10:33:25.744-04:002011-09-30T10:33:25.744-04:00This was promptly followed up on Twitter by Scott ...This was promptly followed up on Twitter by Scott Burnside's comment that "Guarantee Mike Ilitch's idea of what he was 'promised' by the league is different than the league's idea. Will be shocked if Wings go east."<br /><br />Honestly, how could the other non-Canadian Western Conference NHL owners even dream of voting to let Detroit out? They are a huge sell every time they go into another town (according to ESPN's attendance stats, they're the number 1 road team attendance in the NHL - and one of only 3 Western teams in the top 10). That kind of boost alone should be enough to keep them in the West. The Wings can argue about "paying their dues," but the rest of the NHL shouldn't let them move. They are not overwhelmingly burdened by being in the West, and they provide much more balance (both competitively and monetarily) by being here. Much like Burnside, I would be stunned if they actually moved.zekebudhttp://www.twitter.com/zekebudnoreply@blogger.com