Sweet Holy Moses

NHL & NHLPA release realignment plan. And it's terrible. Thoughts?

Leave JVR on the top line unless/until he gets on a cold streak. Grabo's on a checking line with Kulemin and Komarov. So Lupul plays with Kadri and Mac, or Kadri and Frattin. When everyone's healthy, someone has to get moved. It's a simple numbers game. There's too many NHL-calibre bodies on this team. If Nonis is serious about getting a #1C, the next two or three weeks is the time to do it.

It's official. Torsten's retired.

Every time I see or hear Wondolowski's name, I can't help but think of those priests from the original Age of Empires game. "Wololo.... Wololo..... Wololo..."

I may be a little biased, but that TFC shirt is tremendous. Now all we need is a team to wear it. Also, that Colorado shirt is terrible. I understand that it's the state flag and all, but even as a third kit, that's awful. I can only hope they won't wear it any matches against TFC. That way, I'll never have to see it in action.

I couldn't agree more. From the beginning, things have been done the right way. They have an end goal, and are making the right decisions to reach that goal. Do I wish that league quality was higher right now? Yes. Will I sacrifice the healthy future of this sport in North America to do that? Not a chance. The only major league misstep they've made so far was the Florida franchises (although Tampa was an original club, they weren't drawing their share of income). There was just a little bit too much expansion too fast. They contracted, and -- most importantly -- learned their lesson. They waited four years before expanding again, once the finances were on a more solid footing. Now they're looking for established soccer markets, supporters and management groups before they're adding expansion teams.

Combined with the reserve side integration into USL Pro, the FFF coaches training agreement caps a really positive off-season for North American soccer. Better coaching + more development opportunities = win. I know a lot of people laugh at MLS, but they're definitely taking the right steps to becoming a much better footie league.

Nooooooo! Not Torsten! Actually, on second thought. Yes. Yes Torsten.

I watched the game, and I honestly fell asleep during the second period. I woke up and switched to Impact instead. Impact! So yes, the game was boring.

From what I understand, the landscape in the East is pretty much up for anyone to win. Other than my own TFC, of course. And probably not NE Revs, either. Sporting Kansas City is the on-paper favourites, and will be very tough to beat, but anything can happen. DCU's a very hard-working team. Just speculation here, but I think it'll be either SKC or Houston from the East. Although, to be fair, either GoGo or HttK will have far more informed opinions than I have.

Fair enough. As much as I think he was overrated last season, he's been tremendous this year. It truly is a shame -- for him, the team and the fans -- to see a player like him go down with an injury like that. I'm a Leafs fan, and I truly do hope he comes back 100%. He's a special player, and he's a great part of the league.

To me, the Norris trophy is about the best defenceman in the league, not just the highest-scoring. There are easily five to ten D I would build my team around rather than Karlsson. He's a tremendous player, don't get me wrong. I just don't think he's 'best in the league' good.

DC United, LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew and New England Revolution, I believe. Kansas City went from the Wizards to SKC. New York went MetroStars to Red Bull. Dallas Burn became FC Dallas. San Jose moved to ... Houston? Tampa folded.

Then yes, yes we can. Without Jason 'Man Purse' Spezza and Erik 'I Got a Norris? Seriously?' Karlsson, Ottawa's toast. Buffalo looks lost. Honestly, the Bruins are going to be 1st. Its the Leafs and Montreal for 2nd. But anything can and will happen.

The Leafs are second in the division. Boston 18 pts, Toronto 16, Ottawa 16 (one more GP), Montreal 14 (one less GP), Buffalo 11pts.

Under no circumstances would I trade Grabs and Komarov for Kipper. I'd trade Komi for Kipper, but that's about it.

Actually, Matt Frattin. :/

I don't like it. Never have, never will. I know my opinion of it won't change a thing. I also know a lot of people actually like it. But those people are wrong.

Ugh. This whole idea sounds awful. It may just be the old-school hockey fan in me coming out, but I don't understand the need to change kits every few seasons. I know that the clubs need to make money, but this has always been a transparent cash grab in my eyes. The Red Wings have had pretty much the same sweaters since 1934, and they continue to sell really well. The Yankees have truly classic uniforms, and they continue to sell really well. Changing uniforms for the sake of making money is such a bad idea. Remember the Tampa Bay Lightning storm jerseys? Or the NY Islanders fishsticks jerseys? Or the Anaheim Teenage Mutant Ninja Duck design? How well did those sell? Just find something that works and stick with it.

I agree. I would much rather finish 9th for five straight years and improve through responsible drafting, than to finish near the bottom every year and not improve due to terrible drafting (CBJ anyone?). Just because someone is ranked or picked near the top of the draft, that doesn't equate to success. Remember Aki Berg and Chad Kilger? Top four picks in 1995. Patrik Stefan was #1 in 1999 (ahead of both the Sedins). Jason Bonsignore was #4 in '94. Alex Diagle #1 in '93. Pat Falloon #2 in '91 (before Forsberg). Simply having high draft picks is not the answer; proper player development is (see Detroit).

True. That Messi kid is something special, though. Once he learns to play to his potential, he's going to score like, at least twenty goals per year.

Wasn't Messi technically allowed to play in that tournament? I'm sure the reason he didn't is because Barca didn't want to lose him to such a relatively minor tournament. But just imagine the possibilities.

I actually saw some of those 2007 U20 matches in Ottawa. Czech 2-2 North Korea and Argentina 6-0 Panama. Granted, Panama only received one point in that round, but hot damn did Argentina look fantastic. While Aguero stole the show, I remember thinking at that time that Argentina's entire squad was terrific -- especially at midfield. Grabbing almost any part of that team would be a good pickup for an MLS side.

Similarly, this entire game is God punishing the entire city of San Francisco.

But if Hassli goes to Dallas, who's going to start at striker for TFC? Koef's injured until June. Surely Payne and Nelson don't think Wiedeman, Braun and Welshman (who they haven't signed yet) are capable of providing quality up front.