#NHL Western Conference Central

[offsidenewsco]

Have you ever wondered about NCAA Hockey? What's the Frozen Four? How do the rankings work? What players have played through the system?

We've got you covered in our primer here

[nhlsite]

[Blackhawks] Brett Seney signed to a 1-year, 2-way extension ($775k cap hit)

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[dedalvs]

NBA Realignment Proposal

This is Tumblr—a place where you can be who and what you wish to be. Today I take advantage of that to bring to you an idea that I think will solve a couple of dire problems the National Basketball Association (an American professional sporting association for basketball) has been struggling with in recent years. The problems are two-fold:

(1) Division championships are meaningless. In the old days if you won your division, you earned a top seed. When there were two division, the division winner with the best record got the 1 seed, and the other division winner the 2. It didn't matter if there was a second (or even third) place team that had a better record: winning your division meant you earned a top seed. A good example is the 1991-92 season, where the Chicago Bulls (67-15) earned the top seed, but the 51-31 Boston Celtics earned the second seed as winners of the Atlantic Division, despite the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers had a much better record at 57-25. Winning the division was incredibly important. Now teams are seeded by record throughout the conference. Division titles mean nothing.

(2) Super teams. Since divisions are meaningless but winning chamiponships is still the most important thing in the NBA, successful players go to teams that can pay the most money. The ones that have the most money are the teams that are most successful. With only two conferences, this usually results in two teams—one in the east, one in the west—being stacked. Players can either join that team or try to form another super team to rival them. And the ones that can rival them are other historically successful teams. All in all, it's a lack of parity, and the same teams winning every single time.

Now, it is assumed, amongst fans and sportswriters, that the league will eventually expand to Seattle, regaining their former Supersonics, and Las Vegas—the latter perhaps when LeBron James retires (he's expressed interest in being an owner for a team in Las Vegas in future). If that comes to pass (and no other teams change locations), I propose a radical realignment of the divisions, and concomitant playoff changes. These changes were inspired by the changes the NHL made in recent years. They had six divisions, like the NBA has now, but then when they expanded, went backward, to four divisions, and the results have been impressive.

If you need to refresh yourselves of the current alignment, you can do so here. Now here's the realignment I propose:

These are the four divisions the NBA had before expanding to six. Most of the membership is the same, but I'll note the discrepancies. First, the most easterly western conference team, the Memphis Grizzlies, has been moved to the east (I always found it absurd that a team in a state one state away from the Atlantic Ocean was in the western conference). The Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets have been swapped, which makes geographic sense, and the Atlanta Hawks have been returned to the Central.

This gives us four divisions with eight teams each. Currently, ten teams from each conference go to the playoffs—kind of. Four teams in each conference are forced into a mini-tournament called the play-in. For this play-in, the 7th place team hosts the 8th place team and the 9th place team hosts the 10th place team in a one game playoff. The winner of the first game becomes the real 7th seed. The loser of the first game plays the winner of the second. The winner of that game becomes the real 8th seed. Then the playoffs proceed as they always have. Very strange.

I propose something radically different. Same number of playoff teams—even the same number of play-in teams—but it's all done inside the division:

Each division has its own playoff. The 4th and 5th place teams play each other for the right to take on the top place team in the division in the first round of the divisional series. Then the 2nd place team hosts the 3rd place team in the division. The winners of each series face off, the winner being crowned the ultimate division champion. Then the western and eastern conference division champions face off, resulting in conference champions, who face off in the finals. The bracket looks like this:

This means that one team from every division will always make it to the semifinals. Division championships are suddenly very important, and there's incentive for good players to try their luck on teams in different divisions if they can't make it in the division they're in. It takes two very large pools (the conferences) and separates them into four smaller pools. It will also ensure you get some nice, exciting playoff matchups in the early going, because every matchup is all but guaranteed to be a rivalry, as the matchups are always interdivision matchups.

For the curious, if this had happened for last season, it would've looked like this (less the two expansion teams):

Same exact playoff teams! And the first matchups would've looked like this:

Some of the matchups are the same, but we get some good ones earlier. Mavs-Pelicans would've been a lot spicier than Thunder-Pelicans. In general, we've got a lot better shot at getting better matchups earlier on, and good matchups at each stage. This is the NBA I want to see!

Thank you for coming to the Dothraki guy's Tumblr account.

[cowboybarzy]

Hey! I hope you have been well. I wanted to ask you, since it is my first time following the nhl and NYI... how do playoffs work? is it like if you lose the game then you are already out? I am so confused.

welcome!! it’s stressful but I hope you enjoy this wild ride lol

so super basic explanation: each team in the playoffs gets paired with another team in their division and play a best out of seven games round. the winner of that round moves onto the second round and does the best out of seven games again against another team. the loser of that round is obviously eliminated from the playoffs. the western conference plays each other for a chance at the cup & the east plays each other for a chance at the cup.

western conference: (c) central division plays the (p) pacific division for a chance at the cup

eastern conference: (a) atlantic division plays the (m) metro division for a chance at the cup

wc: wild card spot (1 team from each division)

so, as of right now isles vs canes is currently 0:1

games 1 & 2 are played in one location (CAR), then games 3 & 4 are played in the other teams location (NY), then they switch locations back and forth depending on how many more games need to be played.

[locke-writes]

Hockey Fast Facts

In which a series of random hockey facts are presented to teach the history of the NHL

@heliads

The NHL was founded on November 26th, 1917 and was founded after the suspension of the National Hockey Association

Initially the NHL only consisted of 4 teams for the initial 1917-1918 and all four were based in Canada. The only still active team is the Montreal Canadiens who have often been referred to as the Habs.

Although there were a few teams who joined the NHL after that first season in 1917, none of those teams are still in existence. The second oldest team in the NHL are the Boston Bruins who first joined in the 1924-1925 season. That season consisted of 6 teams in total.

Divisions were first introduced in the 1926-1927 season and consisted of the Canadian and American divisions although one team from New York was included in the Canadian division. Today there are four divisions: the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific divisions.

You may come to hear of people referring to some teams as part of the ‘Original Six’. This is in reference to the six teams that made up the NHL from the 1942 season through the 1967 season. The teams in question are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 1967-1968 team introduced 6 new teams to the NHL and creating the East and West Divisions of the NHL. The Original Six were made a part of the Eastern Division with the new 6 teams making up the West Division. Although the divisions would change in seasons after, the East and West Divisions would eventually return and are still used to this day.

Many teams came and went but by the 1974-1975 season, a total of 18 teams were active in the NHL. This season brought change to the NHLs game structure with the introduction of teams being split into Conferences and then Divisions. The Conferences were: Prince of Wales Conference (holding the Adams and Norris divisions). And the Campbell Conference (holding the Patrick and Smythe divisions)

The 1979-1980 season saw a total of 21 teams in the NHL as the WHA (World Hockey Association) disbanded. The four teams were the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers, and Quebec Nordiques. Only the Jets and Oilers are current teams.

The 1993-1994 season saw a change in title to the Conferences and Divisions as well as teams rearranging and landing in different divisions. The Eastern and Western Conferences with the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific divisions is the current format to this day. However from the 1998 season through the 2013-2014 season there were 3 divisions per Conference.

No hockey was played in the 2004-2005 season due to an unresolved lockout. As such no Stanley Cup was awarded and what is engraved on the Cup for this instance is ‘Season Not Played’

For the most part that brings us to how the league stands today. There were a few more team expansions which bring up the total number of competing teams to 32 but that’s basically league history

Note: I am planning some info posts about the teams where I’ll go more in depth on aspects like expansions, important players, etc. Wanted to keep this post fairly straightforward and as short as I could for the time being!

[psuedochakra]

the teams

remember when I said I renamed all the 21 (AT THE TIME) NHL teams? well here there are; here you go. Also back in 86, the conferences and divisions all had different names. I did not change the conference/division names, but I will add their modern ones. It's all under the thing. don't worry

also, teams have changed divisions/conferences quite a bit. This probably doesn't reflect current conference/division teams (I know for a fact my Red Wings are eastern conf, atlantic div now instead of western, central). Both Eastern and western used to have three divisions in the late 90s.

The AU team names are all Tomcat squadron names.

For reference "City Fictional Team Name (actual name, modern equivalent if different) - Tomcat Squadron number " this also applies to the conf/divs historical name (modern name)

Prince of Wales (Eastern) Conference

Adams Division (Atlantic)

Boston Tomcatters (Bruins) - VF 31

Buffalo Freelancers (Sabres) - VF 21

Hartford Renegades (Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes) - VF 24

Montreal Swordsmen (Canadiens) - VF 32

Quebec Rippers (Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche) - VF 11

Patrick (Metropolitan)

New Jersey Be-Devilers (Devils) - VF 74

New York Starfighters (Islanders) - VF 33

New York Sluggers (Rangers) - VF 103

Philadelphia Screaming Eagles (Flyers) - VF 201

Pittsburgh Hunters (Penguins) - VF 51

Washington Grim Reapers (Captials) - VF 101

Campbell (Western) Conference

Norris (Central)

Chicago Diamondbacks (Blackhawks) - VF 102

Detroit Black Aces (Red Wings) - VF-41

Minnesota Stallions (North Stars, Dallas Stars) - VF 302

St. Louis Superheats (Blues) - VF 202

Toronto Ghostriders (Maple Leafs) - VF 142

Smythe (Pacific)

Calgary Lions (Flames) - Black Lions - VF 213

Edmonton Gunfighters (Oilers) - VF 124

LA Checkmates (Kings) - VF 211

Vancouver Knights (Canucks) Black Knights - VF 152

Winnipeg Hellcats (Jets) - Satan’s Kittens VF 191

Most squad names were chosen because it sounded cool/good saying it all together. Some (Philly and NJ) were chosen because of the similarities to current pro team names (NJ Devils (NHL) and Philly Eagles (NFL)). Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Calgary I did change slightly from the squad name. Vanc/Calg because I already had a "black" in a team name (Aces). Winnipeg because "satan's kittens" is kind of a mouthful; I just used their squadron call sign "hellcats" instead.

[tourporlaindiaseo]

Dallas Stars

Based in Dallas, Texas, the Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team. They play in the National Hockey League's (NHL) Central Division of the Western Conference. The Stars have made a name for themselves in the NHL thanks to their fervent fan base and spirit of competition.

Past Events and Accomplishments: Establishment: Originally named the Minnesota North Stars, the team was created in 1967 and moved to Dallas in 1993. The team's relocation opened up a new chapter, and they soon established themselves as essential members of the Dallas sports scene.

Stanley Cup Win: The Stars' first Stanley Cup victory in the 1998–1999 season was the apex of their achievements. With goalie Ed Belfour, MVP Joe Nieuwendyk, and captain Derian Hatcher leading the way, the Stars won the championship in an exciting six-game series against the Buffalo Sabres.

Regular Contenders: The Stars have consistently competed strongly against some of the top clubs in the league and made multiple appearances in the playoffs. They have developed a reputation as a strong opponent due to their consistent performance.

Important Players: Mike Modano Modano spent most of his playing career with the Stars and is regarded as the best player in franchise history. He is the NHL's all-time top scorer among players of American descent and played a key role in the team's Stanley Cup triumph.

Jamie Benn Benn has been a vital component of the Stars' recent success, leading the squad as captain since 2013. Benn, who is renowned for his tough play and scoring prowess, was named the league's top scorer in 2014–2015 and was awarded the Art Ross Trophy.

Miro Heiskanen: Heiskanen is a rising star in the NHL who has emerged as one of the best defensemen in the conference. He is an essential player for the future of the Stars because of his superb skating, vision, and defensive ability.

Home Arena: American Airlines Center: Situated in Dallas' Victory Park district, the American Airlines Center serves as the home arena for the Stars. The arena offers fans a cutting-edge setting in which to take in thrilling hockey play and other activities all year long. Competitions: Intense Rivals: The Stars have a number of noteworthy rivalries, namely those with the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues. Fans are captivated by the heated competition and exciting games that these matches frequently offer. Community Involvement: Dallas Stars Foundation: The team supports numerous philanthropic causes and youth activities as part of its active involvement in the community. The Dallas-Fort Worth region benefits from the foundation's initiatives, which are centered on wellness, health, and education. Latest Achievement: Playoff Runs: The Stars have made deep playoff runs in the past few years, culminating in a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals during the 2019–2020 season, further solidifying their legacy. Their effort showed the team's resiliency and potential even though they were unable to win the championship. In conclusion, the Dallas Stars in the NHL have a great past and a promising future. They remain a formidable force in the league, combining youthful, exciting potential with the experience of seasoned veterans. They are a well-liked and esteemed franchise because of their dedication to greatness on the ice and their involvement in the community off the ice.

The Dallas Stars provide an entertaining and thrilling hockey experience that epitomizes the spirit of community and competitiveness, whether you're a seasoned fan or just getting started.

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The Golden Triangle Tour's highlights include: Day 1: Delhi, the vibrant capital; Historic Landmarks: Start your adventure in India's crowded metropolis, Delhi. Discover historical sites including the striking Qutub Minar, the imposing Red Fort, and the famous India Gate.

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Discover the elaborate City Palace and be amazed by the Hawa Mahal's (Palace of Winds) exquisite designs. Explore Jaipur's lively markets and rich cultural legacy.

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[indiagoldentriangles]

Dallas Stars

Based in Dallas, Texas, the Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the Central Division of the Western Conference. Originally established as the Minnesota North Stars in 1967, the franchise relocated to Dallas in 1993.

Team History: The Stars have a long and illustrious NHL history. Among their many noteworthy accomplishments are their 1999 Stanley Cup title win and numerous postseason trips. The squad has produced a number of standout players who have contributed significantly to its success, including as Jamie Benn, Brett Hull, and Mike Modano.

Home Arena: The American Airlines Center, a renowned sports and entertainment complex in Dallas' Victory Park district, is the team's home arena. The arena offers fans a cutting-edge setting in which to take in thrilling hockey play and other activities all year long.

Fan Base: The Dallas Stars have a devoted following that is well-known for their ardor and love for the club. Referred to as the "Stars faithful," fans demonstrate their support by going to games, donning team gear, and taking part in a range of fan events and activities.

Community Involvement: The Stars regularly participate in outreach activities and initiatives that are aimed at improving the Dallas-Fort Worth region outside of the rink. With initiatives ranging from charitable collaborations to youth hockey development programs, the team is dedicated to giving back to the community that helps them.

Prospects for the Future: The Dallas Stars, a regular participant in the NHL, will keep pushing for greatness on and off the rink. The squad is ready for further success in the future thanks to a strong roster, committed coaching staff, and ardent fan base.

To sum up, the Dallas Stars are a proud team with a memorable past and an exciting future. The Stars are well-positioned to maintain their influence in the professional ice hockey landscape thanks to their unwavering dedication to quality, their involvement in the community, and the backing of their devoted fan base.

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The Four-Day Golden Triangle Tour's High Points: Day 1: Delhi, the Capital City; Historical Landmarks: Discover Old Delhi's historical sites, such as the commanding Red Fort, the exquisite Jama Masjid, and the vibrant Chandni Chowk marketplace.

Modern Marvels: Explore the architectural marvels of New Delhi, which showcase the city's rich cultural diversity and history, including the Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, and India Gate.

Day 2: Agra, the Taj Mahal's home The Taj Mahal Sunrise: As the delicate morning light dances across the Taj Mahal's ethereal splendor, a beautiful atmosphere is created that is truly breathtaking to see.

Agra Fort: Marvel at the magnificent Agra Fort's remarkable design and extensive history as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 3: The sites of Jaipur and Fatehpur Sikri Explore Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its intriguing historical sites and beautifully maintained Mughal architecture.

Jaipur City Tour: Take in the rich cultural legacy of the vivacious "Pink City" of Jaipur by touring famous sites including the Amber Fort, City Palace, and Hawa Mahal.

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[lustigeseisball]

Bestimmen Sie den ersten Platz in der Division

Die Schlussphase des Spiels verlief für die Spieler im NHL trikot Vancouver Canucks gut. Die nicht so gute Nachricht ist, dass nicht mehr so viele Spiele zu spielen sind und das Rennen um die Playoff-Plätze der Western Conference vorbei ist, während das Rennen um die Playoff-Plätze der Eastern Conference immer noch weitergeht, einfach weil niemand zu wollen scheint ihnen. Dazu gehören in den nächsten Wochen noch einige echte Großspiele – zumindest unter der Annahme, dass alles nach Plan verläuft.

Canucks vs. Oilers, 13. April – Dieses Spiel steht vorerst auf der Liste, da es bis dahin möglicherweise keine Rolle mehr spielt. Aber die Oilers bleiben in einem Spiel, das letztendlich über den ersten Platz in der Division entscheiden könnte, immer noch an der Spitze der Pacific. Panthers vs. Bruins, 6. April – Wir können hier etwas zuversichtlicher sein, da das Spiel eine Woche früher beginnt und das Atlantic-Feld wettbewerbsfähiger ist. Es ist eine schwierige Phase für Boston, die zwischen zwei Spielen gegen Carolina liegt, daher könnte dies ein Pflichtspiel für die Spieler in nhl trikots sein, die auf der Suche nach dem Topgesetzten der Konferenz sind. Die brandheißen Stars der Avalanche haben am 7. April eine große Woche vor sich und treffen am Mittwoch auf die Oilers. Aber das ist die Trophäe, die über die Central Trophy und vielleicht sogar über die President's Trophy entscheiden könnte. Dieses Spiel ist wichtig für die Tabelle, aber vielleicht noch wichtiger als ein Kampf zwischen zwei Teams, die die Führung der Western Conference übernehmen und diese Botschaft klar und deutlich auf dem Weg in die Playoffs senden wollen.

[kikiskeysgame]

Kiki's Game Preview to the Chicago Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins Game (10\10\2023)

Last season for the Chicago Blackhawks: In the 2022-23 season, the Blackhawks finished in 8th place in the Central Division and in 15th place in the Western Conference of the NHL.

The team's home record was 14-23-4 and their road record was 12-26-3. Overall, they had a record of 26-49-7.

On March 18, 2023, the Blackhawks were eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Arizona Coyotes.

Forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Taylor Raddysh led the team in goals (with 20).

In his 38 starts as starting goaltender, Petr Mrazek had a record of 10-22-3 with a goals against average of 3.66 and a save percentage of .894.

Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tonight will be the first of two meetings this season between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins; they will face each other again on February 15, 2024.

In the 2022-23 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins finished in 5th place in the Metropolitian Division and in 9th place in the Eastern Conference of the NHL.

The team's home record was 23-13-5 and their road record was 17-18-6. Overall, they had a record of 40-31-11.

On April 12, 2023, the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention after the New York Islanders defeated the Montreal Canadiens; this marks the first time since 2006 that the Penguins have missed the postseason.

Forward and team captain Sidney Crosby led the team in points (with 93) & assists (with 60). Forward Jake Guentzel was the team leader in goals (with 36).

In his 47 starts as starting goaltender, Tristan Jarry had a record of 24-13-7 with a goals against average of 2.90 and a save percentage of .909.

Team Statistics (2022-23 season) Chicago Blackhawks Power Play Percentage: 16% (28th in league) Penalty Kill Percentage: 76% (22nd in league) Faceoff Percentage: 53% (6th in league) Goals For: 2.46 (32nd in league) Goals Against: 3.65 (28th in league)

Pittsburgh Penguins Power Play Percentage: 22% (14th in league) Penalty Kill Percentage: 79% (16th in league) Faceoff Percentage: 52% (9th in league) Goals For: 3.18 (16th in league) Goals Against: 3.21 (19th in league)

[jdminxxx]

2023-24 NHL Western Conference Playoff Picks

The western conference is in euphoria. Ever since the 2021 embarrassment of no team from the central or pacific divisions going to the Stanley Cup Finals, the past two champions have been from the west. Many viewers wonder if the Golden Knights can become the third team to win back-to-back titles in the last ten years. Unlike the Avalanche last season, Vegas isn’t dealing with waves of injuries,…

[best1spor1player]

The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was founded in 1967 as the Minnesota North Stars and relocated to Dallas in 1993.

[mitchbeck]

NHL HEADS TO AUSTRALIA TO START THE 23-24 SEASON

By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - After much prep work, the NHL announced that it would officially kick off the 2023-24  season with its "Global Series" featuring a pair of games on September 24th and 25th in Melbourne, Australia between the Arizona Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings. The Western Conference games will be played at the Rod Laver Arena. The Rod Laver Arena, named after the Australian tennis legend, is the home of the Australian Open, international basketball events, and concerts in Victoria, Australia. This will be the first set of NHL games played in the Southern Hemisphere. It's safe to expect some tie-ins with the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). The AIHL is set to start its regular season play this weekend. Expect either team to sign free-agent-to-be and the first Australian to play and score in the NHL, Nathan "Stormy" Walker, who left home at 13 with his parents' blessing to pursue his hockey dream. Walker played with the St. Louis Blues and spent some of last year in Springfield with the Thunderbirds. Another current AIHL player in what will be his tenth and likely last season will be Cheshire, Connecticut native Robert "Bert" Malloy, a dual citizen playing with the expansion Central Coast (Evina, NSW-New South Wales, AUS) Rhinos. However, next week, he will first play for the Australian National team - The Mighty Roo - in the IIHF Division II Group B play in Madrid, Spain. The other countries in the field include; Croatia, the nation of Georgia, Iceland, Israel, and host Spain. The AIHL plays a short season. Their championship, The Goodall Cup Final, will be held two weeks before the NHL games in Melbourne. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE HOME Read the full article

[trendsbedding]

The Blues GM Doug Armstrong might have the largest influence on the NHL trade deadline, according to Wiebe's World

Doug Armstrong doesn't hesitate to take a stand on contentious or perhaps unpopular issues.

When you work as a general manager in the NHL, there are times when that is just the price of doing business.

In this flattish-cap society that people are living in today, it is very difficult to please everyone and keep everyone happy.

The St. Louis Blues' owner may be the person with the most influence on the NHL trade deadline in the weeks building up to Mar. 3 because of the conviction with which he runs his business.

Armstrong has firsthand experience with what it takes to pull off the biggest comeback in NHL history, a season that was in ruins in December of 2018 before the Blues won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history a few months later.

Armstrong is now forced to restructure his roster on the spot because the Blues aren't exactly in the bottom half of the standings these days, but they're also not exactly in a good spot to be considered a serious contender either.

A complete overhaul is not necessary or expected given the makeup of the roster and the core players who are under contract moving forward, but major surgery may be in the works given the Blues' current standings in the Central Division and the Western Conference, where they are fifth and eleventh, respectively, and eight points behind the second wild card spot (and the Colorado Avalanche holding three games in hand).

With 31 games left in the regular season, the arithmetic isn't in the Blues' favor, as colleague Elliotte Friedman loves to point out.

The Blues' most recent trip to Winnipeg confirmed what has been obvious for some time: these aren't the Blues of 2019 or even the Blues from the previous campaign.

Of course, this squad has endured some difficult injuries, but something doesn't seem quite right.

It would be an exaggeration to suggest the franchise is experiencing an identity crisis, but this is undoubtedly a team in transition, and Armstrong must find a way to rebuild the roster, much like he did in 2018.

Armstrong made the decision to trade veteran center Paul Stastny to the Winnipeg Jets for a package that included a first-round pick in 2018 and forward prospect Erik Foley while the Blues were fighting for a playoff spot that year.

That summer, Armstrong signed free agent Tyler Bozak, brought back David Perron, completed the splashy trade for Ryan O'Reilly, and signed Pat Maroon, a product of St. Louis.

The reward was being able to drink from Lord Stanley's mug in 2019, but the difficult decisions continued when captain Alex Pietrangelo left for the Vegas Golden Knights as an unrestricted free agent after the 2019–20 season.

Speaking of retiring captains, David Backes signed the Boston Bruins as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016 after helping the St. Louis Blues defeat the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference semifinals that spring, ending his ten-year association with the team.

Perron's production and leadership have been missed this season because Armstrong emphasized the signing of up-and-coming forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou last summer, making it practically impossible to bring him back.

All of this is to suggest that a quick scan at the CapFriendly website reveals that choices are about to be made on the UFA forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Barbashev, Noel Acciari, Tyler Pitlick, Josh Leivo, and O'Reilly, the defenseman Niko Mikkola, and the backup goaltender Thomas Greiss.

Although it's not out of the question that some of those players sign extensions or decide to rejoin the Blues in the summer after being traded, it seems more likely that many of them will be moving before the deadline.

Armstrong and the teams trying to sign Tarasenko ($7.5 million AAV) and O'Reilly ($7.5 million AAV) may need to exercise some patience because so many of the top contenders are either close to the cap or have already entered LTIR.

O'Reilly's foot ailment might also lower his market worth, but he is a seasoned captain with outstanding credentials, including the Conn Smythe and Selke Trophies for best defensive forward in the league in 2019 and 2018–19, respectively.

O'Reilly has the ability to play against the best opposition and still contribute offensively, even though his production this season has decreased.

He also brings a lot of intangibles to the table, which further increases his street cred.

Tarasenko has occasionally been a game-changer during his career in a league where goals may still be hard to come by, especially when the playoffs start.

Six of his seasons, including one in which he scored 40 goals, are listed on his resume.

Tarasenko was very productive for the Blues during the postseason in 2016, 2019, and 2022 (nine goals, 15 points in 20 games) (nine points in 12 games).

He can give a power play a lift and is a skilled shooter.

There is a lot of interest in Barbashev as a player, and for good reason.

No, he hasn't been able to duplicate the output he had in 81 games last season when he set career highs in goals (26), assists (34) and points (60), but Barbashev is a solid two-way player who plays a rugged style of hockey, helps on the penalty kill, and consistently scores in double digits.

He will be appealing to all competitors due to his flexibility and his AAV of $2.25 million, which will probably spark some competition for his services.

He is exactly the kind of player that the most recent Stanley Cup champions coveted before the deadline and might end up like Nick Paul, whose brief rental period evolves into a longer stay.

Acciari, who is largely recognized for his checking skills, is currently enjoying his best successful season since recording 20 goals and 27 points with the Florida Panthers in 2019–20.

He will also be a desirable target because to his 54 postseason games of experience, versatility up and down the lineup, and AAV of $1.25 million.

Mikkola ($1.9 million AAV) is a reliable defender who might improve a second or third pairing despite not being a spectacular player.

Greiss ($1.25 million AAV) may be a useful insurance policy for a team looking to make a deep run if the Blues decide to recall top goalie prospect Joel Hofer from the American Hockey League.

It's understandable why Armstrong will be taking a lot of calls in this situation, but the more important query that needs to be addressed is whether or not he will think about trading one of the key players while there is still time remaining on a contract.

Colton Parayko ($6.5 million AAV through 2029–30) and Pavel Buchnevich ($5.8 million through 2024–25) may be mentioned in such negotiations, but it is unclear at this time.

Following the trade to acquire blue-liner Nick Leddy, who just signed a contract extension that would keep him around through the 2025–26 season, the Red Wings will have the second-round pick in 2023, leaving the Blues with picks in six of the seven rounds.

Armstrong will therefore be aiming to increase his draft capital while also acquiring assets, like as players who are either established (yet still young) or almost NHL-ready.

Leading up to March 3, there are many teams who have the chance to play the king-maker, but once everything is said and done, the trades made by the Blues might have a huge impact on a number of teams, including their own.

THE HEAVILY DISCUSSED RETURN

When the Vancouver Canucks traded captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders last week, many thought it was an unexpected destination for the former captain. This was the long-awaited pre-emptive strike.

The benefits of the move for both sides have been extensively discussed, and as is customary, quick verdicts and declarations of the trade's victors and losers have been made.

Others questioned the Canucks' return, while some questioned the entry of a team in the Eastern Conference that is below the playoff line and has two teams to leapfrog.

Even though the Islanders have enough of depth in the middle with Mat Barzal, Brock Nelson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Casey Cizikas, it is clear that GM Lou Lamoriello wants to show his confidence in his club by adding a goal scorer.

The Islanders were satisfied they could afford to keep Horvat on a long-term contract, which they agreed to on Sunday afternoon, given what he was ready to give up.

Regarding the Canucks, if you paid attention to president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrick Allvin during the unofficial state of the union address last month, the organization essentially checked off everything on their wish list.

They acquired Anthony Beauvillier, an NHL veteran with two 18-goal seasons and a 21-goal season under his belt, giving them six straight seasons of at least 10 goals (he has nine in 49 games this season with the Islanders).

While some believe Beauvillier can play with more experienced players and might easily get back to his best on a line with either Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller, his development has somewhat stopped.

He is 25 years old, has an AAV of $4.15 million, and is under the team's control for another full season.

Aatu Raty, a top forward prospect who has seven goals and 15 points in 27 games with Bridgeport of the AHL and participated in 12 NHL games (two goals, two points) this season, is also acquired by the Canucks, along with a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2023.

There probably weren't many contending clubs interested in moving a middle-six forward in the transaction, contrary to the claims of some who claim the Canucks should have waited out for a better deal.

In actuality, the agreement cannot be fully assessed until we learn whether Horvat intends to remain with the Islanders or whether he intends to test the market in July.

Even then, it will likely take some time to determine what kind of player Ratu develops into, how high that first-round pick is, and how Beauvillier fits in with the Canucks.

From this vantage point, both teams appear to be taking some risk and to be in a stronger position to move further.

STROME IMPLEMENTS BET AS SECURITY

Just last week, we discussed Dylan Strome's decision to sign a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals after declining the Chicago Blackhawks' qualifying offer (https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/wiebes-world-after-some-bumps-dylan-strome-is-finding-a-home-in-washington/), a move that has already paid off for both the player and the team.

So much so that the Capitals on Friday announced a five-year, $25 million ($5 million AAV) extension to his contract, keeping him in place through the 2027–2028 campaign.

So for a while, Strome won't have to worry about looking through depth maps or trying to predict where he could land.

According to a news statement from Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, "Dylan is an intelligent and skilled center and has been a tremendous addition to our club." We're glad to have him on a long-term deal. As he approaches the prime of his career in a crucial position, we believe his skill set is a terrific fit for our squad.

This is another instance of how a short-term bet can also guarantee that the fit is proper for both parties, despite the fact that it is understandable why athletes frequently focus on the long-term security of a multiyear commitment.

On Saturday, the Capitals committed to forward Sonny Milano for three years in another heartwarming development.

Milano didn't earn a qualifying offer from the Anaheim Ducks, and before signing a one-year deal with the Capitals for the league minimum, he attended training camp with the Calgary Flames on a pro tryout offer.

Eight goals and 22 points in 40 games helped Milano contribute some crucial complementary scoring, earning him a three-year contract with an AAV of $1.9 million.

QUICK FIRE

• As a disclaimer, I was only able to keep up with All-Star news during the break thanks to my time spent in Mexico, so I had to rely on Twitter and a few web articles. Nonetheless, here are some of the highlights.

• I admired the creativity displayed by several of the players when it came to the suits they chose, especially Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who rocked the pink and white ensembles beautifully as a nod to Miami Vice. Marner received extra points for using the retro cell phone and wearing the costume during the breakaway competition.

• Admired David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins for his inventive use of the Happy Gilmore line as well. Bonus points go to Linus Ullmark of the Bruins for his unwavering dedication to the Happy Gilmore caddie setup. It's critical to continue bringing attention to the women's game. Maintaining the talented women's involvement need to be a top focus.

• Giving Sarah Nurse the chance to provide highlight-reel performances, such as pulling off the Peter Forsberg in the breakaway competition, is a terrific approach to expand the sport.

It was simple to understand why the NHL believed it was crucial to change the structure because the most recent All-Star Game I went to was held in Columbus in 2015. It was a difficult game, which is why the decision was taken to switch to 3-on-3.

• While a total makeover may not be necessary, there is one little change that might be worth considering given the recent discussion of All-Star omissions and the prospective increase of rosters for the event. Consider replacing the four division tournament with a single 60-minute match between the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. Play 5-on-5 in the opening frame, 4-on-4 in the middle frame, and 3-on-3 in the closing frame.

• Sidney Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said it was good enough, therefore it must be good enough for me. It will be best if the NHL returns to the 1 vs 8 seeding system for the Stanley Cup playoffs as soon as possible. While it's a great idea to foster rivalries and limit travel in the first two rounds, it frequently disadvantages higher-seeded teams. Rewarding the teams that place first in the standings must be the objective.

It's time to return to that format, even though there will still be annoyances and possibly some additional problems that surface. It's time to remove the wild card and stop worrying about rivalry promotion via the division, but there's no reason to give up on the East-West Conferences and go to the competitive 1 through 16 seeding. The best rivalries develop naturally and are undoubtedly intensified by a playoff series or several, but they won't be lost as a result of this move.

• It's great to hear that Toronto will host the NHL All-Star Game in 2024. It won't provide a break from the cold weather, but you can be sure it will be a spectacle.

• Bad news for Mark Stone, the captain of the Vegas Golden Knights, who underwent further back surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined indefinitely. Stone will undergo another back operation in May 2022, making this his second procedure in less than a year. It's too early to say whether Stone will return to the ice this season, either in the regular season or the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how that affects the strategy General Manager Kelly McCrimmon employs in the lead-up to the NHL trade deadline.

In the Pacific Division's race for first place, the Golden Knights enter the break one point behind the Seattle Kraken (who have two games in hand), thus it's likely that McCrimmon will look for innovative methods to improve his roster. It might even enable the Golden Knights to take a bigger swing if Stone is unable to return before the end of the regular season. They've suffered with a lot of injuries over the past two seasons, and after going 2-6-2 in the 10 games before the break, they'll be hoping to swiftly turn things around.

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