max

I think there are plenty of Tech blogs that have established within the past few weeks that the words "big data" and "troll" are not to be used ever again.

Do you blame me for delivering the data poorly? That is my fault. Fact is, it's data that myself or one of the teams of trolls I have working for me across the globe have collected. It is free.

I am sorry for not making sense, but there is only so much that I can convince myself that I can explain thoroughly.

It took 16 hours of talks in New York on Saturday, with concessions from both sides. It took 113 days. A total of 625 regular-season games were sacrificed, or over half the 2012-13 season. It took months of bitter sniping, petty politics, false hope and broken hearts.

But at around 5 a.m. on Jan. 6, the word finally spread around the hockey world: The NHL and the NHLPA had reached a verbal agreement on a tentative framework for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Drop the puck. The NHL will be finally back, with a 10-year CBA solidified between union chief Donald Fehr and Commissioner Gary Bettman. As Fehr said, via Sportsnet: "Any process like this is difficult; it can be long...we have the framework of a deal."

Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger reports some details:

Deal to end NHL lockout tentative with 10-year CBA (opt-out after 8 years), 7-year contract limit (8 for own players) and $64.3 M cap '13-14.

That’s right: After the NHL asked for a $60 million cap, the players got the League to move all the way to $64.3.

The deal ends an ordeal that began on June 29, 2012, when collective bargaining started between the two sides. That led to a July 13 proposal from the NHL that may have set back negotiations for months: One that included a dramatic drop in the players’ share of revenue from 57 percent down to 43 percent, galvanizing the union.

The NHLPA made its first offer on Aug. 14, as Donald Fehr surprised the NHL by not taking a run at the salary cap.

The lockout formally began at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sept. 15, 2012, after both sides tendered offers. The NHL’s next big offer arrived in October, which included a 50/50 split in revenue and a start date of Nov. 2.

That offer didn’t get the deal done, and the 2013 Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs paid the price in the next round of cancellations.

December produced some high drama: Meetings between the players and owners without Bettman and Fehr in the room; mediation with the U.S. federal government; and several proposals that saw both sides inch closer to a resolution.

Mediator Scot Beckenbaugh returned to the talks last week, acting as a go-between and then eventually bringing the sides together on Saturday. With the NHLPA's disclaimer of interest and the NHL's potential drop-dead date of Jan. 11 looming, the sides finally dedicated themselves to saving the season with a marathon session.

The deal was finally completed, pending ratification from the owners and players.

Game on, with a shortened season expected to begin on Jan. 19 or as early as Jan. 15. John Shannon of Sportsnet reports that teams will only play within their conferences.

Haha!

This is what I have discovered using simple math: Theoretically, one or two divisions in a league with ten divisions will be much larger than the rest, and there will be one or two divisions that have the least amount of teams as possible to make a "division" (there can't be a division with one team). The question is how to group teams into divisions. If a group is two teams, and if a league NEEDS divisions, they inherently exist in geographic rivals.

I am showing the unevenness of "divisions" based on the one rule that one team must be in the same division with its closest geographical rival would be arranged. Of course there are sports fans that are willing to fly from Arlington to East Rutherford twice a year. The Avalanche and the Red Wings are obviously bigger rivals than the Red Wings with their closest rival (the Blue Jackets) and the Avalanche with theirs (the Coyotes).

Microsoft Excel and "distancefromto.net."

The only divisions that exist between NFL, MLB, and NHL cities are these:

-a Florida division (Sunrise, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville)

-a Bay Area division + Seattle - San Jose (Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland)

-The Rest of the United States and Canada (Dallas, St. Louis, Denver connect the East to the West)

Divisions of countries grouped by the neighbor with whom they share their largest land-based border (islands have no land-based borders):

Russia Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Ukraine Kyrgyzstan Turkmenistan Belarus Finland Georgia Moldova Lithuania Latvia Estonia

China Mongolia Burma Thailand North Korea South Korea Hong Kong Macau

United States Canada Mexico Guatemala Belize

Brazil Bolivia Peru Colombia Venezuela Guyana Ecuador Suriname Uruguay French Guiana

India Bangladesh Pakistan Afghanistan Tajikistan Nepal Bhutan Sri Lanka

DemrepCongo Angola Zambia Rep Congo Central African Republic Namibia Gabon Equatorial Guinea

Argentina Chile Paraguay

Mali Mauritania Guinea Burkina Faso Senegal Sierra Leone Gambia Guinea-Bissau Western Sahara

Sudan South Sudan Chad Egypt Libya

Algeria Morocco Tunisia

South Africa Botswana Lesotho Swaziland

Niger Nigeria Cameroon Benin

Iran Iraq Kuwait

Ethiopia Somalia Djibouti Eritrea

Laos Vietnam Cambodia

Mozambique Malawi Zimbabwe

Saudi Arabia Yemen Jordan Oman UAE Qatar

Turkey Syria Lebanon

France Spain Portugal Belgium Luxembourg Andorra Monaco Gibraltar (UK)

Tanzania Kenya Uganda Burundi Rwanda

Germany Czech Republic Poland Austria Netherlands Denmark

Malaysia Indonesia Papua New Guinea Brunei East Timor

Cote d'Ivoire Liberia

Norway Sweden

Romania Bulgaria Serbia Greece Macedonia Albania Kosovo

Croatia Bosnia and Herzegovina Slovenia Montenegro

Hungary Slovakia

Ghana Togo

Azerbaijan Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh

Italy Switzerland Liechtenstein San Marino Vatican City

Honduras Nicaragua El Salvador

Israel Palestinian territories

Costa Rica Panama

United Kingdom Ireland

Dominican Republic Haiti

Akrotiri and Dhekelia (UK) Cyprus Northern Cyprus

Saint Martin (France) Sint Maarten (Netherlands)

I am glad this thread is pointless.

Belize is naturally connected to the United States by sharing its largest land-border with Guatemala and Guatemala sharing its largest with Mexico (Mexico's largest land-based border is with the United States, but the Mexican border is not the largest - although more people pass through this border every day than any other in the world; the largest land-based border in the world separates the United States and Canada, Canada's only international border).

Pointless, until you get real deep...about "neighbors"...and what they did to become "neighbors" from "the people over there."

Let's talk about our sports obsessions.

Favorite rivalries:

1. Raiders-Chiefs (notice I put the Raiders first, I love the Chiefs, but life wouldn't be as awful if we didn't lose to the nasty Raiders every once in a while - winning isn't as good as losing is bad, I guess. A rivalry built totally on divisional alignment, the Raiders are way to far away from the Chiefs to play in the same "regional division"

2. Flyers-Penguins (again, didn't mean to put the Flyers ahead of the Penguins. Pennsylvania rivalry. Perhaps state pride matters a little bit in the creation of a league group)

3. Royals-Twins (relaxing day in the middle of summer, dirty Twins jerseys at the beautiful Kauffman Stadium)

NFL divisions ! :

Division names are based on the theoretical center of each division。。。

Indianapolis Division

Kansas City (St. Louis)

St. Louis (Indianapolis)

Denver (Kansas City)

Cincinnati (Indianapolis)

Indianapolis (Cincinnati)

Chicago (Indianapolis)

Green Bay (Chicago)

Pittsburgh (Cleveland)

Cleveland (Detroit)

Detroit (Cleveland)

Buffalo (Pittsburgh)

Minnesota (Green Bay)

Oakland Division

Oakland (San Francisco)

San Francisco (Oakland)

Seattle (Oakland)

Yuma Division

San Diego (Arizona)

Arizona (San Diego)

Fort Meade Division

Baltimore (Washington)

Washington (Baltimore)

E. Rutherford Division

New England (NY Jets)

NY Jets (NY Giants)

NY Giants (NY Jets)

Philadelphia (NY Jets)

St. Petersburg Division

Miami (Tampa Bay)

Tampa Bay (Jacksonville)

Jacksonville (Tampa Bay)

Atlanta Division

Tennessee (Atlanta)

Atlanta (Tennessee)

Carolina (Atlanta)

Houston Division

Houston (Dallas)

Dallas (Houston)

New Orleans (Houston)

Ha!

This actually makes sense. Your favorite team is in the division with their closest geographical "rival." I took a look at the Royals' schedule this year and it really angered me. It seems the MLB is moving to a schedule format in which teams from the AL Central will play primarily NL East teams in 2013. I imagine that in 2014 the Royals will play primarily AL Central or NL West teams...this means that the schedule makes a full turn (becomes "complete") every three years! It's similar to the NFL schedule.

The 2013 Royals schedule breakdown

AL Central games: 76

AL East games: 34

AL West games: 32

NL Central games: 4

NL East games: 16

NL West games: 0

WTF!

Posted again with closest geographical rivals attached to each team:

9 playoff teams, 9 divisions, 9 players on the field

Division headings list the city theoretically "in the middle of the division:"

New York

Red Sox (Yankees)

Yankees (Mets)

Mets (Yankees)

Baltimore

Orioles (Nationals)

Nationals (Orioles)

Phillies (Orioles)

Fort Myers, Florida

Rays (Marlins)

Marlins (Rays)

Cleveland

Indians (Tigers)

Blue Jays (Indians)

Tigers (Indians)

Reds (Indians)

Braves (Reds)

Pirates (Indians)

Chicago

White Sox (Cubs)

Cubs (White Sox)

Twins (Brewers)

Brewers (Cubs)

Kansas City

Royals (Cardinals)

Cardinals (Royals)

Rockies (Royals)

College Station, Texas

Astros (Rangers)

Rangers (Astros)

Oakland

Athletics (Giants)

Giants (Athletics)

Mariners (Athletics)

Anaheim

Angels (Dodgers)

Dodgers (Angels)

Padres (Angels)

Diamondbacks (Padres)

How did you map those points on that map?

P.S. I'll do an NFL one later today and explain it better then.

same idea for MLB: Real divisions (two things: if you can't beat your neighbor, you don't go to the playoffs, and no excuse for not making the playoffs because your team had to travel too much).

9 playoff teams, 9 divisions, 9 players on the field

Red Sox

Yankees

Mets

Orioles

Nationals

Phillies

Rays

Marlins

Indians

Blue Jays

Tigers

Reds

Braves

Pirates

White Sox

Cubs

Twins

Brewers

Royals

Cardinals

Rockies

Astros

Rangers

Athletics

Giants

Mariners

Angels

Dodgers

Padres

Diamondbacks

Tell me how to post spreadsheets or parts of spreadsheets.

The other half of the forum, the left brain.

2 0 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 ana bos buf cgy car chi col cbj dal det edm fla la min mtl nsh nj nyi nyr ott phi phx pit sj stl tb tor van wdc wpg anaheim x 2583.79 2186.19 1206.17 2219.87 1734.38 823.24 1964.14 1220.61 1971.68 1380.47 2302.38 24.12 1524.61 2460.52 1763.72 2428.43 2458.9 2439.04 2356.39 2379.36 330.3 2123.18 329.9 1575.13 2126.53 2164.74 1099.77 2291.71 1532.59 51001.86 vancouver boston 2583.79 x 399.48 2093.24 610.4 849.48 1767.18 642.86 1550.84 612.27 2075.3 1236.71 2593.74 1113.45 250.8 942.7 196.35 174.22 185.66 313.48 270.84 2300.51 482 2681.52 1036.9 1200.59 430.25 2503.4 394.59 1345.81 30254.57 philadelphia buffalo 2186.19 399.48 x 1734.59 492.27 452.34 1368.09 294.23 1198.9 215.58 1735.02 1159.91 2195.78 721.37 320.23 627.05 284.54 311.62 291.88 235.91 279.79 1907.43 178.76 2282.39 661.55 1066.43 58.82 2135.99 292.38 993.32 23895.65 philadelphia calgary 1206.17 2093.24 1734.59 x 2041.17 1399.39 896.24 1672.59 1536.13 1575.49 174.52 2470.6 1194.12 1053.3 1878.55 1693.92 2109.06 2045.55 2026.11 1788.21 2007.17 1214.63 1779.99 1023.22 1440.91 2294.19 1685.71 419.58 1970.21 747.44 43965.83 san jose raleigh 2219.87 610.4 492.27 2041.17 x 642.11 1461.19 374.92 1056.89 511.57 2076.9 672.18 2234.34 989.06 724.04 456.64 420.26 437.27 429.46 684.97 345.78 1905.77 331.25 2384.77 666.32 601.09 546.57 2409.97 233.29 1347.53 27087.98 new jersey chicago 1734.38 849.48 452.34 1399.39 642.11 x 918.97 275.93 805.48 237.3 1436.41 1164.92 1744.26 347.03 746.22 397.67 702.96 733.25 712.96 644.76 664.45 1455.74 409.64 1840.23 262.6 1015.46 436.18 1774.15 594.55 718.15 23382.59 nashville denver 823.24 1767.18 1368.09 896.24 1461.19 918.97 x 1164.69 662.71 1155.36 1035.2 1704.81 831 706.03 1637.41 1021.04 1620.11 1650.53 1630.37 1533.27 1576.35 585.77 1318.86 928.37 795.54 1521.65 1344.08 1106.12 1490.71 800.43 34232.08 winnipeg columbus 1964.14 642.86 294.23 1672.59 374.92 275.93 1164.69 x 913.56 163.97 1703.45 967.55 1975.84 619.32 613.69 333.65 468.17 498.36 479.17 529.16 415.29 1669.22 162.07 2092.37 396.23 843.31 316.11 2049.97 326.92 972.61 22935.21 toronto dallas 1220.61 1550.84 1198.9 1536.13 1056.89 805.48 662.71 913.56 x 1000.35 1655.66 1093.21 1238.91 865.18 1517.44 616.98 1364.25 1392.75 1375.56 1423.54 1299 891.65 1070.37 1450.81 548.35 913.03 1204.68 1768.68 1183.21 1184.3 32782.42 minnesota detroit 1971.68 612.27 215.58 1575.49 511.57 237.3 1155.36 163.97 1000.35 x 1592.57 1129.68 1981.51 534.05 521.05 470.95 472.28 502.13 481.73 423.94 442.11 1691.85 205.3 2073.78 455.07 1007.27 206.61 1966.07 394.88 852.41 22877.13 chicago edmonton 1380.47 2075.3 1735.02 174.52 2076.9 1436.41 1035.2 1703.45 1655.66 1592.57 x 2544.81 1368.25 1090.17 1849.67 1758.39 2017.55 2042.58 2023.78 1764.85 2012.44 1385.3 1797.84 1190.83 1508.12 2372.22 1682.97 509.41 1986.4 742.68 45133.29 minnesota sunrise 2302.38 1236.71 1159.91 2470.6 672.18 1164.92 1704.81 967.55 1093.21 1129.68 2544.81 x 2322.07 1482.22 1389.5 791.47 1067.62 1076.73 1074.67 1356.58 998.87 1972.15 988.14 2543.95 1037.34 183.16 1211.28 2781.7 901.06 1871.7 39194.59 columbus los angeles 24.12 2593.74 2195.78 1194.12 2234.34 1744.26 831 1975.84 1238.91 1981.51 1368.25 2322.07 x 1530.53 2468.4 1778.43 2439.49 2469.97 2450.07 2364.26 2390.96 349.97 2134.54 306.16 1587.78 2145.88 2173.74 1081.12 2296.77 1532.24 51180.13 vancouver st. paul 1524.61 1113.45 721.37 1053.3 989.06 347.03 706.03 619.32 865.18 534.05 1090.17 1482.22 1530.53 x 950.09 691.76 1000.12 1029.02 1008.75 846.87 975.55 1286.68 734.07 1580.15 462.23 1320.63 683.61 1434.52 924.15 390.91 26370.82 columbus montreal 2460.52 250.8 320.23 1878.55 724.04 746.22 1637.41 613.69 1517.44 521.05 1849.67 1389.5 2468.4 950.09 x 944.73 331.62 332.6 327.46 104.14 392.92 2195.56 478.41 2530.24 975.6 1324.27 314.46 2293.55 490.9 1133.72 29037.27 ny rangers nashville 1763.72 942.7 627.05 1693.92 456.64 397.67 1021.04 333.65 616.98 470.95 1758.39 791.47 1778.43 691.76 944.73 x 751.74 779.42 763.03 862.57 684.19 1449.16 472.12 1936.38 253.34 629.25 649.28 2030.64 566.64 1082.28 25435.42 detroit newark 2428.43 196.35 284.54 2109.06 420.26 702.96 1620.11 468.17 1364.25 472.28 2017.55 1067.62 2439.49 1000.12 331.62 751.74 x 30.48 11.31 333.14 75.28 2136.79 306.52 2543.18 864.3 1017.74 334.6 2420.29 198.38 1276.79 26794.92 washington uniondale 2458.9 174.22 311.62 2045.55 437.27 733.25 1650.53 498.36 1392.75 502.13 2042.58 1076.73 2469.97 1029.02 332.6 779.42 30.48 x 20.4 343.41 97.67 2167.12 336.83 2573.48 894.42 1031.67 360.16 2447.6 221.52 1302.44 27303.2 washington manhattan 2439.04 185.66 291.88 2026.11 429.46 712.96 1630.37 479.17 1375.56 481.73 2023.78 1074.67 2450.07 1008.75 327.46 763.03 11.31 20.4 x 332.45 85.41 2147.65 317.45 2553.18 875.33 1026.19 341.04 2427.85 208.94 1283.35 26891.21 washington ottawa 2356.39 313.48 235.91 1788.21 684.97 644.76 1533.27 529.16 1423.54 423.94 1764.85 1356.58 2364.26 846.87 104.14 862.57 333.14 343.41 332.45 x 379.28 2091.99 407.41 2426.94 878.99 1278.95 219.03 2201.48 456.61 1041.61 27267.8 ny rangers philadelphia 2379.36 270.84 279.79 2007.17 345.78 664.45 1576.35 415.29 1299 442.11 2012.44 998.87 2390.96 975.55 392.92 684.19 75.28 97.67 85.41 379.28 x 2083.79 257.49 2502.15 809.16 944.67 335.86 2403.82 123.93 1269.97 26124.19 pittsburgh glendale 330.3 2300.51 1907.43 1214.63 1905.77 1455.74 585.77 1669.22 891.65 1691.85 1385.3 1972.15 349.97 1286.68 2195.56 1449.16 2136.79 2167.12 2147.65 2091.99 2083.79 x 1830.3 606.61 1274.94 1796.23 1891.16 1223.54 1983.6 1367.09 44862.2 dallas pittsburgh 2123.18 482 178.76 1779.99 331.25 409.64 1318.86 162.07 1070.37 205.3 1797.84 988.14 2134.54 734.07 478.41 472.12 306.52 336.83 317.45 407.41 257.49 1830.3 x 2244.85 558.25 889.09 224.43 2168.23 190.4 1057.27 23331.88 toronto san jose 329.9 2681.52 2282.39 1023.22 2384.77 1840.23 928.37 2092.37 1450.81 2073.78 1190.83 2543.95 306.16 1580.15 2530.24 1936.38 2543.18 2573.48 2553.18 2426.94 2502.15 606.61 2244.85 x 1721.74 2363.75 2252.97 826.89 2418.77 1502.45 53382.13 colorado st. louis 1575.13 1036.9 661.55 1440.91 666.32 262.6 795.54 396.23 548.35 455.07 1508.12 1037.34 1587.78 462.23 975.6 253.34 864.3 894.42 875.33 878.99 809.16 1274.94 558.25 1721.74 x 868.16 661.26 1778.51 709.6 851.22 24833.76 minnesota st. petersburg 2126.53 1200.59 1066.43 2294.19 601.09 1015.46 1521.65 843.31 913.03 1007.27 2372.22 183.16 2145.88 1320.63 1324.27 629.25 1017.74 1031.67 1026.19 1278.95 944.67 1796.23 889.09 2363.75 868.16 x 1113.32 2600.66 834.23 1711.38 38041 columbus toronto 2164.74 430.25 58.82 1685.71 546.57 436.18 1344.08 316.11 1204.68 206.61 1682.97 1211.28 2173.74 683.61 314.46 649.28 334.6 360.16 341.04 219.03 335.86 1891.16 224.43 2252.97 661.26 1113.32 x 2089.32 350.97 942.31 24060.78 montreal vancouver 1099.77 2503.4 2135.99 419.58 2409.97 1774.15 1106.12 2049.97 1768.68 1966.07 509.41 2781.7 1081.12 1434.52 2293.55 2030.64 2420.29 2447.6 2427.85 2201.48 2403.82 1223.54 2168.23 826.89 1778.51 2600.66 2089.32 x 2358.49 1160 52371.55 anaheim washington, dc 2291.71 394.59 292.38 1970.21 233.29 594.55 1490.71 326.92 1183.21 394.88 1986.4 901.06 2296.77 924.15 490.9 566.64 198.38 221.52 208.94 456.61 123.93 1983.6 190.4 2418.77 709.6 834.23 350.97 2358.49 x 1244.84 25346.94 ny islanders winnipeg 1532.59 1345.81 993.32 747.44 1347.53 718.15 800.43 972.61 1184.3 852.41 742.68 1871.7 1532.24 390.91 1133.72 1082.28 1276.79 1302.44 1283.35 1041.61 1269.97 1367.09 1057.27 1502.45 851.22 1711.38 942.31 1160 1244.84 x 31726.25 colorado

Realignment based on math.

Detroit is about 20,000 miles from every other team.

San Jose is about 55,000 miles from every other team.

I think Detroit could be placed in the Western Conference to offset this. Otherwise, I think a PCHL is viable (think of the farthest western teams re-forming the old Pacific Coast Hockey League):

2 new concepts for Wolf Blitzer:

#1. PCHL -

San Jose

Anaheim

Los Angeles

Phoenix

Calgary

Edmonton

Vancouver

(Colorado and Florida have the about the same amount of distance to cover in a balanced schedule, so if Colorado wants to play in the PCHL, there would be no reason to have a PCHL...basically a West of The Rockies Hockey League)

#2: the "screw Detroit" format -

Western Conference

Anaheim

Los Angeles

Phoenix

San Jose

Colorado

Calgary

Edmonton

Vancouver

Nashville

St. Louis

Dallas

Chicago

Minnesota

Winnipeg

Detroit

Eastern Conference

Columbus

Pittsburgh

Florida

Tampa Bay

Buffalo

Toronto

Montreal

Ottawa

New Jersey

Rangers

Philadelphia

Islanders

Washington

Carolina

Boston

Double Dip

I have figured out the logical solution to the NHL divisional alignment problem. This could work well this year if the league takes it up...

It's based on a simple concept: the division consists of teams grouped with their closest geographical rival.

"Closest Geographical Rival" in parentheses (8 divisions consisting of 3 2-team divisions, 2 3-team divisions, 1 5-team division, 1 6-team division, and 1 7-team division):

(western conference) Pacific Division (5 teams)

Anaheim (LA)

Los Angeles (ANA)

San Jose (LA)

Colorado (PHX)

Phoenix (ANA)

Northwest Division (3 teams)

Calgary (EDM)

Edmonton (CGY)

Vancouver (CGY)

Midwest Division (3 teams)

Nashville (STL)

St. Louis (NSH)

Dallas (STL)

(either conference) Central Division (6 teams)

Chicago (DET)

Minnesota (CHI)

Winnipeg (MIN)

Detroit (CBJ)

Columbus (PIT)

Pittsburgh (CBJ)

(eastern conference) Southeast Division (2 teams)

Florida (TB)

Tampa Bay (FLA)

Mideast Division (2 teams)

Buffalo (TOR)

Toronto (BUF)

Northeast Division (2 teams)

Montreal (OTT)

Ottawa (MTL)

Atlantic Division (7 teams)

New Jersey (NYR)

NY Rangers (NJ)

Philadelphia (NJ)

NY Islanders (NYR)

Washington (PHI)

Carolina (WDC)

Boston (NYI)

Perfect concept, I think I'll be doing more of these. Seems to work, who knows what will happen.

Can I say that these are "real" divisions?

As of December 21, 2012

North Dakota NCAAD1 11750 Quebec Ramparts QMJHL 10492 Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAAD1 9771 Wisconsin Badgers NCAAD1 9419 Hershey Bears PA 9209 London Knights OHL 8962 Calgary Hitmen WHL 8286 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 8173 Fort Wayne Komets IN 7476 Kitchener Rangers OHL 7171 Hamilton Bulldogs ONC 7067 Providence Bruins RI 6950 Colorado College Tigers NCAAD1 6940 Lake Erie Monsters OH 6911 Ontario Reign CA 6760 Vancouver Giants WHL 6751 Boston College Eagles NCAAD1 6672 Edmonton Oil Kings WHL 6634 Houston Aeros TX 6566 Chicago Wolves IL 6518 Grand Rapids Griffins MI 6492 Rochester Americans NY 6294 St. John's IceCaps NLC 6287 Orlando Solar Bears FL 6265 San Antonio Rampage TX 6221 MN-Duluth Bulldogs NCAAD1 6200 Toronto Marlies ONC 6188 Spokane Chiefs WHL 6038 Victoria Royals WHL 5845 Bridgeport Sound Tigers CT 5827 Ottawa 67's OHL 5686 Michigan State NCAAD1 5650 Toledo Walleye OH 5603 Windsor Spitfires OHL 5553 New Hampshire NCAAD1 5503 NE-Omaha NCAAD1 5429 Norfolk Admirals VA 5413 Charlotte Checkers NC 5386 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins PA 5381 Saskatoon Blades WHL 5372 Missouri Mavericks MO 5320 Michigan NCAAD1 5315 Denver NCAAD1 5308 Colorado Eagles CO 5289 Syracuse Crunch NY 5268 Kelowna Rockets WHL 5162 Umass-Lowell NCAAD1 5063 Red Deer Rebels WHL 5056 Evansville IceMen IN 5030 Boston University NCAAD1 5008 Stockton Thunder CA 4950 Gwinnett Gladiators GA 4923 San Francisco Bulls CA 4823 Manchester Monarchs NH 4814 Notre Dame NCAAD1 4790 Texas Stars TX 4749 Florida Everblades FL 4728 Wichita Thunder KS 4693 Bakersfield Condors CA 4675 Everett Silvertips WHL 4631 Rapid City Rush SD 4620 Alaska Aces AK 4606 Peoria Rivermen IL 4556 Utah Grizzlies UT 4555 Las Vegas Wranglers NV 4425 Maine NCAAD1 4385 Sault Ste. Marie OHL 4375 Umass NCAAD1 4333 St. Cloud State NCAAD1 4274 Cornell NCAAD1 4252 Milwaukee Admirals WI 4238 Rockford IceHogs IL 4161 Portland Winterhawks WHL 4085 Fresno Monsters CA 4076 Allen Americans TX 4033 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 4006 Tulsa Oilers OK 3990 Abbotsford Heat BCC 3958 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 3942 Tri-City WHL 3933 Sioux Falls Stampede SD 3916 Portland Pirates ME 3905 Saint John QMJHL 3900 Seattle WHL 3853 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 3847 Kamloops Blazers WHL 3841 Lincoln Stars NE 3805 Fargo Force ND 3778 Regina Pats WHL 3767 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 3752 Ohio State NCAAD1 3672 Sudbury Wolves OHL 3666 Vermont NCAAD1 3658 Idaho Steelheads ID 3648 Minnesota State NCAAD1 3585 Worcester Sharks MA 3578 Fayetteville Fire Antz NC 3541 Knoxville Ice Bears TN 3519 Reading Royals PA 3498 Oklahoma City Barons OK 3496 Sarnia Sting OHL 3494 Springfield Falcons MA 3473 Western Michigan NCAAD1 3444 Binghamton Senators NY 3442 Albany Devils NY 3440 Guelph Storm OHL 3440 Cincinnati Cyclones OH 3421 Connecticut Whale CT 3420 Adirondack Phantoms NY 3413 Oshawa Generals OHL 3376 Saginaw OHL 3355 Barrie Colts OHL 3329 Shawinigan QMJHL 3258 Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL 3175 Omaha Lancers NE 3174 Michigan Tech NCAAD1 3144 Kalamazoo Wings MI 3139 RIT NCAAD1 3139 Northern Michigan NCAAD1 3052 Miami NCAAD1 3040 Rimouski QMJHL 3019 Dartmouth NCAAD1 3002 Blainville-Boisbrand Armada QMJHL 2976 Yale NCAAD1 2975 Trenton Titans NJ 2969 Corpus Christi IceRays TX 2969 Bemidji State NCAAD1 2963 Denver Cutthroats CO 2927 RPI NCAAD1 2889 South Carolina Stingrays SC 2877 Huntsville Havoc AL 2847 Niagara OHL 2817 Erie Otters OHL 2787 Northeastern NCAAD1 2766 Quinnipiac NCAAD1 2755 Alaska NCAAD1 2751 Kootenay Ice WHL 2738 Greenville Road Warriors SC 2729 Wenatchee Wild WA 2721 Alaska-Anchorage NCAAD1 2721 Kingston OHL 2685 Cape Breton QMJHL 2670 Pensacola Ice Flyers FL 2652 Owen Sound Attack OHL 2636 Quad City Mallards IL 2625 Elmira Jackals NY 2610 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL 2535 Chicoutimi QMJHL 2504 Clarkson NCAAD1 2486 Sioux City Musketeers IA 2455 Air Force NCAAD1 2454 Odessa Jackalopes TX 2441 Bloomington Blaze IL 2440 Waterloo Black Hawks IA 2415 Wheeling Nailers WV 2375 Columbus Cottonmouths GA 2367 Belleville Bulls OHL 2360 Arizona Sundogs AZ 2351 Peterborough Petes OHL 2338 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 2335 Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL 2330 Mississippi RiverKings MS 2329 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders IA 2314 Merrimack NCAAD1 2293 Green Bay Gamblers WI 2286 Prince Albert WHL 2283 Dubuque Fighting Saints IA 2280 Des Moines Buccaneers IA 2260 Harvard NCAAD1 2238 Prince George WHL 2223 Bowling Green NCAAD1 2218 Johnstown Tomahawks PA 2217 Alabama-Huntsville NCAAD1 2199 Fairbanks Ice Dogs AK 2180 Baie-Comeau QMJHL 2179 Mississauga Ice Dogs OHL 2161 Princeton NCAAD1 2145 Swift Current Broncos WHL 2135 Lake Superior NCAAD1 2134 Louisiana IceGators LA 2120 Danbury Whalers CT 2114 Amarillo Bulls TX 2099 Tri-City Storm NE 2096 Plymouth OHL 2088 Muskegon Lumberjacks MI 2073 Augusta Riverhawks GA 2045 Mississippi Surge MS 2032 Providence NCAAD1 2032 Penn State NCAAD1 1982 Indiana Ice IN 1920 Ferris State NCAAD1 1887 Union NCAAD1 1867 Wichita Falls Wildcats TX 1855 St. Lawrence NCAAD1 1765 Brampton Battalion OHL 1756 Val-d'Or Foreurs QMJHL 1684 Topeka Roadrunners KS 1658 Army NCAAD1 1607 PEI Rocket QMJHL 1589 Texas Tornado TX 1546 Acadie-Bathurst Titan QMJHL 1475 Fort Worth Brahmas TX 1469 Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL 1432 Chicago Steel IL 1354 Holy Cross NCAAD1 1294 Austin Bruins MN 1256 Youngstown Phantoms OH 1226 Colgate NCAAD1 1222 Aberdeen Wings SD 1218 Williamsport Outlaws PA 1206 Bismarck Bobcats ND 1163 Brown NCAAD1 1145 Dayton Demonz OH 1113 Niagara NCAAD1 1094 Robert Morris NCAAD1 992 Minot Tauros ND 988 Kenai River Brown Bears AK 974 1000 Island Privateers NY 974 Connecticut NCAAD1 943 Mercyhurst NCAAD1 842 Canisius NCAAD1 826 Michigan Warriors MI 805 Janesville Jets WI 779 Springfield Jr. Blues IL 731 Brookings Blizzard SD 727 Soo Eagles MI 670 Jamestown Ironmen NY 627 Port Huron Fighting Falcons MI 619 Coulee Region Chill WI 569 Bentley NCAAD1 527 Cape Cod Bluefins (Central NY) MA/NY 452 Danville Dashers IL 442 Sacred Heart NCAAD1 433 Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings MI 404 Team USA MI 310 American International NCAAD1 186

The current USA/Canada hockey to-date attendance rankings (this includes these leagues:

FHL,

USHL,

NAHL,

SPHL,

CHL,

ECHL,

AHL,

NCAA Div. I,

WHL,

QMJHL,

OHL,

-of 236 junior, college, and minor league hockey teams included in the 11 leagues listed above, the average home attendance was 3,480 fans per game.

-the team with the lowest attendance (#236) currently is "American International," an NCAA Division I hockey team averaging 186 fans per home game.

5 Standard Deviations Away From the Mean:

1. North Dakota - NCAA Div. I - 11,750 fans per game

4 Standard Deviations Away From the Mean:

2. Quebec Remparts - QMJHL - 10,492 fans per game

3. Minnesota Golden Gophers - NCAA Div. I - 9,771 fans per game

3 Standard Deviations Away From the Mean:

4. Wisconsin Badgers - NCAA Div. I - 9,419 fans per game

5. Hershey Bears - AHL - 9,209 fans

6. London Knights - OHL - 8,962

7. Calgary Hitmen - WHL - 8,286

8. Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL - 8,173

2 Standard Deviations Away From the Mean:

9. Fort Wayne Komets - ECHL - 7,476

10. Kitchener Rangers - OHL - 7,171

11. Hamilton Bulldogs - AHL - 7,067

12. Providence Bruins - AHL - 6,950

13. Colorado College Tigers - NCAA Div. I - 6,940

14. Lake Erie Monsters - AHL - 6,911

15. Ontario Reign - ECHL - 6,760

16. Vancouver Giants - WHL - 6,751

17. Boston College Eagles - NCAA Div. I 6,672

18. Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL - 6,634

19. Houston Aeros - AHL - 6,566

20. Chicago Wolves - AHL - 6,518

21. Grand Rapids Griffins - AHL - 6,492

22. Rochester Americans - AHL - 6,294

23. St. John's IceCaps - AHL - 6,287

24. Orlando Solar Bears - ECHL - 6,265

25. San Antonio Rampage - AHL - 6,221

26. MN-Duluth Bulldogs - NCAA Div. I - 6,200

27. Toronto Marlies - AHL - 6,188

28. Spokane Chiefs - WHL - 6,038

29. Victoria Royals - WHL - 5,845 (this is the attendance figure from 2011-12, the CHL junior leagues are tough to track)

30. Bridgeport Sound Tigers - AHL - 5,827

31. Ottawa 67‘s - OHL - 5,686

32. Michigan State Spartans - NCAA Div. I - 5,650

33. Toledo Walleye - ECHL - 5,603

34. Windsor Spitfires - OHL - 5,553

notables:

39. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins - AHL - 5,381

41. Michigan Wolverines - NCAA Div. I - 5,315

44. Missouri Mavericks (highest-rated CHL team) - 5,276

52. Gwinnett Gladiators (Atlanta-based) - 4,923

53. San Francisco Bulls (some current San Jose Sharks participate w/ this ECHL team during the lockout) 4,823

62. Alaska Aces (Alaska's highest-level professional team) 4,606

102. Springfield Falcons (average attendance per game - closest to mean) - 3,473

131. Huntsville Havoc (Huntsville, Alabama SPHL team) - 2,847

136. Alaska U - NCAA Div. I - 2,751

140. Alaska-Anchorage - NCAA Div. I - 2,721

158. Arizona Sundogs (CHL team located in Prescott Valley, AZ) - 2,351

173. Alabama-Huntsville - NCAA Div. I (Huntsville's college team) - 2,199

189. Penn State Nittany Lions - (university's new hockey team, started this year) - 1,982

198. Army Cadets - NCAA Div. I - 1,607

1 Standard Deviation Away From the Mean (below average):

202. Fort Worth Brahmas - CHL - 1,469

209. Aberdeen Wings (wow, that little town in South Dakota has a junior hockey team!) - 1,218 (and draws 1,218 fans per game!)

231. Cape Cod Bluefins (FHL team that has moved mid-season to 'Central New York') - 452

233. Sacred Heart - NCAA Div. I - 433

234. Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings - USHL - 404

235. Team USA - NAHL - 310

236. American International - NCAA Div. I - 186

This is where all of the problems lie:

Blame the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Quebec EXPANSION

Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators

Toronto EXPANSION

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Pittsburgh Penguins

Post-Apocalyptic NHL

-2 conferences (East/West)

-8 divisions

-62, 77, 80, or 81 games (balanced schedule, balanced schedule +conf opponents, b.s.+conf/div opponents, b.s.+conf/div/rival)

-divisional playoff round (top 2 from each division face each other in first round of the playoffs - Kings vs. Sharks, Oilers vs. Flames, etc. every year)

-divisional round winners re-seeded using some new method other than total points

-Stanley Cup

Western Conference

Los Angeles Kings

San Jose Sharks

Anaheim Ducks

Arizona Coyotes

Vancouver Canucks

Calgary Flames

Edmonton Oilers

Winnipeg Jets

Minnesota Wild

Colorado Avalanche

St. Louis Blues

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets

Nashville Predators

Eastern Conference

Washington Capitals

Tampa Bay Lightning

Florida Panthers

Carolina Hurricanes

Philadelphia Flyers

Brooklyn Islanders

New Jersey Devils

New York Rangers

Toronto Maple Leafs

Quebec EXPANSION

Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators

Toronto EXPANSION

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Pittsburgh Penguins

Houston is a much better expansion option than Portland, however, there are some cities that I think would be better. My favorite two options will appear at the bottom:

Based on current attendance averages per game of all current domestic hockey leagues, these are the teams that rank the highest (the Canadian Hockey Leagues attendance statistics are taken from last season...I can't find the attendance figures ANYWHERE!). Includes AHL, ECHL, CHL, SPHL, QMJHL, WHL, OHL, NCAA Div. I, USHL, and NAHL teams (the Federal Hockey League, NCAA Div. III, and Canadian Interuniversity Sport college teams are not listed)

1. North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) 11,750

2. Quebec Remparts (Quebec City, PQ) 10,525

3. Minnesota Golden Gophers (Minneapolis, MN) 9,771

4. Wisconsin Badgers (Madison, WI) 9,419

5. Hershey Bears (Hershey, PA) 9,085

6. London Knights (London, ON) 8,859

7. Fort Wayne Komets (Fort Wayne, IN) 7,829

8. Calgary Hitmen (Calgary, AB) 7,428

9. Lake Erie Monsters (Cleveland, OH) 7,184

10. Providence Bruins (Providence, RI) 7,076

11. Hamilton Bulldogs (Hamilton, ON) 7,067

the list above is all of the teams whose per game attendance is above 7,000.

2. Quebec Remparts (Quebec, PQ) 10,525

16. Houston Aeros (Houston, TX) 6,370

38. Missouri Mavericks (Independence, MO) 5,335

62. Las Vegas Wranglers (Las Vegas, NV) 4,514

72. Portland Winterhawks (Portland, OR) 4,085

the list above includes most of the cities commonly thrown around as potential NHL franchises

The 229-team list I have compiled so far (without NCAA Div III, FHL, and CIS teams) is a pretty good representation of a city's hockey appreciation during the NHL lockout (the Canadian Hockey League's 2011-12 attendances may be higher than average considering that playoff hockey reports are usually higher than mid-season per-game averages).

Some of my conclusions:

This list of 229 teams ranked in the order of per-game attendance averages is, if nothing else, probably a great representation of which cities should have AAA (AHL) teams. Have a look:

"2nd tier North American pro hockey league"

Western Conference

Ontario, CA

Victoria, BC

Kelowna, BC

Calgary, AB

Grand Forks, ND

Denver, CO

Houston, TX

San Antonio, TX

Minneapolis, MN

Duluth, MN

Madison, WI

Chicago, IL

Fort Wayne, IN

Grand Rapids, MI

Toledo, OH

Eastern Conference

London, ON

Toronto, ON

Windsor, ON

Kitchener, ON

Hamilton, ON

Orlando, FL

Cleveland, OH

Rochester, NY

Hershey, PA

Bridgeport, CT

Providence, RI

Quebec, PQ

Boston, MA

Halifax, NS

St. John's, NL

USING CURRENT "MINOR LEAGUE" (NO NCAA/JUNIOR) TEAMS

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

St. John's IceCaps WPG

Providence Bruins BOS

Bridgeport Sound Tigers NYI

Toronto Marlies TOR

W-B/Scranton Penguins PIT

Atlantic Division

Hershey Bears WDC

Syracuse Crunch TB

Rochester Americans BUF

Hamilton Bulldogs MTL

Lake Erie Monsters COL

Southeast Division

Orlando Solar Bears NYR

Norfolk Admirals ANA

Charlotte Checkers CAR

Gwinnett Gladiators PHX

Florida Everblades NJ

Western Conference

Central Division

Toledo Walleye CHI

Fort Wayne Komets OTT

Grand Rapids Griffins DET

Evansville IceMen PHI

Chicago Wolves VAN

Midwest

Houston Aeros MIN

San Antonio Rampage FLA

Texas Stars DAL

Missouri Mavericks STL

Colorado Eagles NSH

Pacific

Utah Grizzlies CGY

Ontario Reign LA

Stockton Thunder EDM

Bakersfield Condors CBJ

Alaska Aces SJ

*I tried to keep all of the current affiliations for the current teams

The best choices for NHL expansion are suburban Toronto and Quebec City (the NHL is really undervaluing Canadian cities)

*does anyone have the 2012-13 CIS/Canadian Hockey League per-game attendance figures or know of where I can at least begin looking?

Go Mavs

I think pro sports teams should reflect their hometowns. The Pittsburgh Pirates should be from Pittsburgh. The New York Yankees should be from New York.

I have discovered the most perfect tournament format ever, it came to me in a dream. It looks like this and reminds me of the zodiac and some international, neutral-site, soccer tournaments:

Conference ABCDEF

Division ABC

Team A

Team B

Team C

Division DEF

Team D

Team E

Team F

Conference GHIJKL

Division GHI

Team G

Team H

Team I

Division JKL

Team J

Team K

Team L

In this tournament format, one team must face the other two teams in its division once (2 games) and the best goes on to play in the Conference Finals (1 game) and then the Finals (1 game).

This is the best tournament format because the number of regular season games are equal to the number of playoff games and the schedule is balanced.

The format is similar to the organization of the zodiac signs:

Masculine Conference

Fire Division

Cardinal-Aries

Fixed-Leo

Mutable-Sagittarius

Air Division

Mutable-Gemini

Cardinal-Libra

Fixed-Aquarius

Female Conference

Earth Division

Fixed-Taurus

Mutable-Virgo

Cardinal-Capricorn

Water Division

Cardinal-Cancer

Fixed-Scorpio

Mutable-Pisces

I do not know why this arrangement is so prevalent in my life right now, but I can say that the format has limited characteristics and intriguing.

12 teams

2 conferences

4 divisions

3 teams per division

*each team plays its divisional opponents twice, the best play the same amount of games in regular season as in the postseason

Are there any tournaments which have this particular format that anybody can think of? It would interesting to know. I think the Cuban Baseball League has 16 teams in 4 divisions, which would require the first and second place teams to advance from each division to ensure that the same amount of postseason games equal the amount of regular season games (theoretically), but the second placed team in the division is not the best, so...

It's something that interesting to me.

Throw you in the Atlantic.

Sincerely,

Max

There is no way to keep even conferences of 15-teams in each and keep the farthest west teams from the eastern time zone in the "eastern" conference.

Eastern Time Zone (16)

FLA, TB, BOS, NYI,

CAR, NYR, NJ, PHI,

WDC, MTL, PIT, OTT,

BUF, CBJ, TOR, DET

Central Time Zone (6)

NSH, STL, CHI, DAL,

MIN, WPG

Mountain Time Zone (4)

COL, PHX, CGY, EDM

Pacific Time Zone (4)

LA, ANA, SJ, VAN

2 conferences of 15 teams will leave one team from the Eastern TZ to play in the Western Conference. Fact. Detroit should be that team, but the division should also include the Maple Leafs, which would allow the Predators to play in the Eastern Conference against teams in the Southeastern United States. This is a favor for Wings fans. A TOR-MTL Stanley Cup? This idea is unimaginable!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Florida

Tampa Bay

Boston

NY Islanders

Carolina

NY Rangers

New Jersey

Philadelphia

(the most crowded geographic cluster of teams join the remnants of the Southeastern Conference, South Florida already has a few major sports rivalries with teams from NY/NJ area and are often put in the same conference as teams from New England in other sports)

EAST DIVISION

Washington

Montreal

Pittsburgh

Ottawa

Buffalo

Nashville

Columbus

(essentially the "Midwest Division" of the Eastern Conference, Capitals-Penguins, Blue Jackets-Penguins rivalries, 7-team division including MTL and OTT provides space for Quebec City franchise)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION

Toronto

Detroit

St. Louis

Chicago

Dallas

Minnesota

Winnipeg

(Maple Leafs played in the Western Conference with Wings, Blackhawks, and Blues before NHL moved to 6-divisions; Wild and Stars compete in same division with Jets, 7-team division including STL provides space for Kansas City franchise)

WEST DIVISION

Colorado

Phoenix

Los Angeles

Anaheim

San Jose

Calgary

Edmonton

Vancouver

("the real western conference," Minnesota and Winnipeg should be included in this division, other than that, a pretty easy job with this one)

I hope the Red Wings will like this plan. They'll be upset playing in the West, but I gave them the Maple Leafs, Stars, Jets, Wild, all of their divisional foes from the Central Conference and banished the Blue Jackets and Predators. Detroit isn't in the Eastern Division/Conference of any major sport. The NHL has a geographic center for its franchises the farthest east of all of the major sports. Detroit has 15 teams to its east and 14 teams to its west. However, Columbus practically shares the same 83rd longitudinal degree with Detroit, but I think the Red Wings would be happier playing their old foes in the Western Conference than deal with the Senators, Sabres, Predators, Blue Jackets, Capitals, Canadiens, and Penguins on a regular basis. Any Red Wings fans on here?