The Playoffs are so near...and Other Random Thoughts

It is now a little over two weeks to go until the NHL playoffs begin and the chase for the eight spot in the Eastern Conference is heating up. The Western Conference is all but set, as the only thing to settle there is the seeding. So, what is there to talk about? How about a little travel through the nostalgia machine.

Thought #1: Take a good look at the Buffalo Sabres Jason Pominville shirt in the picture because it will likely be the last time that you will see the "Buffaslug" adorning anything Sabres related after this season. Widespread rumors have the Sabres going back to the original looks, with their current third jerseys becoming their home jerseys. I say that the change is overdue, as this was a pretty horrible look to begin with.

Thought #2: Since I now have both the old and new Phoenix Coyotes jerseys (both white, thanks for asking), and by new, I mean the logo, one has to ponder whether I should go after the old Winnipeg Jets jersey. After all, the Coyotes were once the Jets before 1996, and having a Teemu Selanne Jets jersey wouldn't look too bad on me.

Thought #3: Suppose Kansas City gets an NHL team because an existing team decides to relocate. Who would be the prime candidates?

New York Islanders: With their arena situation in flux and with an owner that has mismanaged the team, one would think the Islanders would be the prohibitive favorites to move to the Midwest. However, with a fairly rich history, as in they have won four Stanley Cups, I would not be surprised if the Islanders stay in New York.

Nashville Predators: Another team that has talked about relocation in the past, they don't have nearly the same history as the Islanders, nor do they really have any star power. Has it been any wonder why the Predators rank near the bottom in attendance? Of course, not having a star could hurt Kansas City in that the team would have to get really creative in marketing the team, and Kansas City hasn't exactly been creative in promoting itself.

Phoenix Coyotes: Currently, they are owned by the NHL, pending approval of whoever decides to buy the team. They are also in the playoff hunt this year, which would obviously cause a spike in attendance most of the time. One reason why I don't think the Coyotes will move is because the NHL is insistent on making hockey work in Phoenix, and certainly, the playoffs will be a good barometer on whether the league is right in that regard.

Florida Panthers: Early on, it looked like the Panthers were going to have a long run in the Sunshine State, having reached the Stanley Cup Finals in their third year of existence. However, they haven't reached the playoffs in a decade and with attendance dwindling, they would appear to be just behind the Islanders as a relocation candidate. The question here is how you would sell a city on a team that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade, one that not even a city like Chicago or New York could answer easily.

Atlanta Thrashers: Of all the teams that entered the NHL in the late 90's, the Thrashers have had the least amount of success, in both the playoffs and attendance. Having only one appearance in the playoffs will do that for you. I am sure that you are saying that the Blue Jackets have the same problem, but the difference is that the Blue Jackets are the only pro game in town, whereas the Thrashers have to compete with the Falcons, Braves, and Hawks, all teams that have experienced success recently. A potential hurt as far as promoting the Thrashers is who you can sell the city on, as they traded their face of the franchise, leaving no one to really be that guy.

I've exhausted my trip through nostalgia (and hypotheses), so I suppose that I should end here...for now. Until next time...