In case you missed it last night, the NHL Board of Governors voted yes on a proposal to realign the NHL into four conferences. After the break, in addition to more Sabres links, we’ve got a metric ton of opinions on the realignment plan, and to top things off, a hockey/teddy bear wedding.
MONDAY MEDICAL UPDATE – Buffalo Sabres
Kevin Snow updates some medical situations, and talks to Lindy Ruff about Tyler Ennis‘ first point this season.
Sabres will get plenty of sun under realignment – The Buffalo News
The NHL will have a whole new look next season. For the Buffalo Sabres, it means an additional trips to the Sunshine State.
NHL Realignment Done Right? Almost Absolutely – THE BEST OF NICK MENDOLA . . .LIVE
The National Hockey League… wait for it… wait for it… did something righteous.
Stitched together, Gerbe says he was ‘lucky’ – The Buffalo News
The stitches start just below the tip of Nathan Gerbe’s nose, travel between his nostrils and head south before stopping at his top lip. Believe it or not, he feels lucky.
More Sabres News:
Former Sabre Barnaby Charged With DWI, After Driving SUV Without Tire – WGR 550
ESPN analyst and Former Buffalo Sabres star Matthew Barnaby has been arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, after being spotted by another driver in Clarence driving his SUV without a tire down Transit Road early Monday morning.
Tootoo’s hit on Miller the latest NHL lowlight – The Globe and Mail
Sabres coach comes out firing after goaltender takes big hit soon after return from concussion.
Fraser: The take on Miller, Carlson and the Hawks-Blues – TSN
NHL on TSN analyst and former NHL referee Kerry Fraser starts off the week with a bang – with analysis on Jordin Tootoo-Ryan Miller, John Carlson’s hit on Matt Cooke and the altercation involving Jonathan Toews, David Backes and Dan Carcillo.
Hitting the brakes on crashing the goalie – The Buffalo News
Sabres await decision on Tootoo after his collision with Miller.
Shanahan’s Words – Hockey Rhetoric
Shanahan will look bad no matter what he decides. His decision will contradict with some aspect of his message over the course of the fallout to the Lucic/Miller collision. Does intention matter or not? Is it open-season or not?
Cullen: Notes on O’Reilly, Sabres, Wild and more – TSN
The lines have been changing in Buffalo, as good health and AHL call-ups have changed the personnel.
Realignment Chatter:
Governors adopt radical four-conference realignment plan – NHL.com
The NHL’s Board of Governors on Monday approved a radical realignment plan, according to multiple reports.
Radical realignment proved to be best option for concerns of multiple teams – NHL.com
There was a ‘simple’ option for realignment the Board of Governors discussed, though the more dramatic change proved to be the best option.
What the NHL will lose in four-conference realignment – Puck Daddy
The pros outweigh the cons in this proposal.But we’ll lose something rather significant in this format that’s thrilled us for years in the NHL.
Realignment plan promising, but unfinished – THN
The approved four-conference format is a good step, but why leave an important unanswered question?
NHL realignment result of Gary Bettman’s ability to build consensus – ESPN
Whether or not you hate the new four-conference format adopted by the NHL, and trust us, there are teams that do silently hate it, you have to pause and admire commissioner Gary Bettman and his ability to steer the unwieldy ship that is the NHL.
Realignment consensus wasn’t easy – SI.com
As it stands, there’s going to a number of teams dragged — perhaps happily now — into this new alignment.
NHL division realignment not supported by players union – NYPOST.com
With realignment the major issue at the Board of Governors meetings that will commence tomorrow at Pebble Beach, Calif., Slap Shots has learned the NHL Players’ Association has cited ramifications of playoff qualification in expressing concern with, if not downright opposition to, a proposed shift from the current structure to a four-division setup.
Other Hockey Links:
Punched out: An Enforcer’s Story – NYTimes.com
Over six months, The Times examined the life and death of the hockey player Derek Boogaard. The first article of a three-part series revisits his childhood and his progression from boy to brawler.
WHL: ‘You may kiss the goalie’; Couple weds amid Teddy Bear Toss – Buzzing The Net – Yahoo! Sports
The bride wore white. The groom wore a goalie mask.