Sorry haven't really had time to come on here much, what with xmas shopping and work and stuff.
I have a couple of questions:
1. For all the criticism the Hawks have taken so far this season, does any other team at this point in time have 2 legitimate Hart Trophy candidates? Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa have played exceedingly well in all 3 zones, scoring big goals, sometimes carrying the other 21 guys on their shoulders and killing penalties. They even almost single-handedly have revived the team's once struggling power-play. Now I'm not blowing smoke up their *****, and I realize this team will not win anything if they only have 19 and 81 giving a consistent effort game in and game out, but watching both guys evolve and play to the height of their ability/potential this season has been a treat.
2. Are there any more obnoxious fans out there than Habs fans or Leafs fans? Probably not, but the Hawks are coming close. Whether it be on facebook walls, twitter, or message boards, fans have traded Bryan Bickell, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Corey Crawford, Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik, Nik Hjalmarsson and almost everyone not wearing a 19 or 81 on their jersey, AND fired Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman and even president John McDonough. All that, with a team that might not look pretty doing it some nights, but keeps winning when everyone is talking about them as if their record is reversed (8-16-3). As a hockey fan, this is getting very tiresome and annoying. As a Hawks fan, I'm embarrassed to be sometimes lumped into a group that has such an unrealistic and "bi-polar" view of the team.
As for the proposed re-alignment, I believe sacrificing some match-ups with rivals isn't necessarily a bad idea if it means every market gets at least 2 games with everyone. It will make for a healthier league overall and that is only a good thing. I won't really have any more opinion on that until a more conrete proposal makes it's way to us.