Noniinno, yllättäen itäisen konferenssin perslävistähän se otteluohjelman järkeistämisen vastustus löytyy. Sitä kun on niin kiva päästä illaksi kotiin.
''We're really just beginning the second year of what's set up as a three-year cycle and I think I would prefer to see how it unfolds over a longer time period,'' Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey said after a five-hour GMs meeting.
''I think it's the right decision and hopefully it stays that way,'' said New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. ''This is the first year we've had with it, we had great playoff races last year. I can't see any reason why we would change it.''
''I think it is more of a concern for them,'' said Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier. ''Let's face it, we get on a plane at 3 p.m. the day before a game and we get home at 1 a.m. the night of the game. I'll admit, that's a nice advantage. . ''We do like it like as it is,'' he added. ''We're in a division that's primarily Canadian. It's great to play Toronto, it's great to play Ottawa, it's great to play Montreal. So that works for us.''
Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli: ''We like the schedule as it is but we're certainly open to discuss change. We like conference rivalries and we like division rivalries.''
Vituttaa. Ois oikeasti mukavampi, jos otteluohjelmassa olisi vaihtelua itä-länsi -suunnassakin, eikä aina yksiä ja samoja naamoja.