TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards
BOSTON -- So how did the Panthers fare in the NHL's new alignment, one in which Florida and Tampa Bay leave the sunny south and count the likes of Buffalo, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Detroit as divisional rivals?
Depends on who you ask.
The business side of the organization love the new format, with six of the seven other teams coming from "snowbird" areas in the northeast, Michigan and Canada. The other team in the new and as-yet-unnamed division is a short drive away.
That means a full building many nights as fans of 'original six' teams Toronto, Boston, Montreal and Detroit make their way to Sunrise. The Panthers should also get a boost in television coverage with so many games against high-interest opponents.
“Not only will we maintain and grow our in-state rivalry with the Lightning, but we will also be able to cultivate rivalries with some of the NHL’s most historic clubs,'' Panthers president Michael Yormark said in a statement.
The hockey side of things, however, isn't as thrilled with the change.
The Panthers are currently in the Southeast Division with the closest road game -- aside from Tampa -- being a quick flight to Carolina or Washington.
Now, as coach Kevin Dineen said, the Panthers are going to be "flying over" NHL cities such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York to get to new divisional destinations.
The added games against Canadian teams is also going to add to Florida's travel times as trips through customs can be a lengthy process both coming and going. If the NHL factors this into consideration and consolidates as many trips north as possible, it should be only a slight problem.
But if the league doesn't do that, the Panthers and Lightning could find themselves traveling more and spending substantially more money in airfare.
Because of their geographic location, the Panthers and Lightning already travel more than any other teams in the Eastern Conference.
The new format -- one that makes no geographical sense -- could make things even worse. Outside of Tampa, Florida's closest new divisional rival resides in Buffalo, N.Y.
"It's going to be expensive and it's going to be time consuming,'' general manager Dale Tallon said. "Those road trips to and from Canada are going to be rough on Tampa and ourselves. But it's probably best for hockey overall.''
Commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday the league is going to keep the Panthers and Lightning in mind when the schedule is worked out.
"From a business standpoint, I think this is probably really good for both Florida teams,'' Bettman said. "Travel-wise they may have issues. But based on where it is from the geographic standpoint, it wasn’t going be perfect. .-.-. We're going to try and do the best possible job of focusing on the travel needs of the two Florida clubs and the teams in their division and their travel to and from Florida.''
This current alignment will be in place for the following three seasons with the league and its players' association reexamining things after that.
Even though Bettman said there are no plans for relocation or expansion, both are expected. With the probability of expansion teams coming to Quebec and the Toronto area, the divisions may have to be redrawn anyway as there are 16 teams in the east and 14 in the west.
"The travel is more, but hey, we get four of the Original Six teams in our division,'' Tallon said. "This should be good for hockey fans in South Florida."
-- The Panthers will hold their morning skate Saturday at the Saveology.com Iceplex in Coral Springs. The practice is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. and is free and open to the public.
SATURDAY: ISLANDERS AT PANTHERS
When, Where: 7:30 p.m.; BB&T Center, Sunrise
TV/Radio: FSNF; WQAM-560
The series: Florida leads 39-31-8
The game: This is the first meeting between the two teams this season with the Panthers going 3-0-1 last year. This is Florida's final home game before kicking off a season-long five-game road trip Tuesday in Carolina. Florida's next home game isn't until March 28.
GRAPHIC COURTESY NHL
