Big day today for hockey fans. Big day? No, huge day. Someone is about to get one of the best players ever to be drafted -- the total package of grit, speed, finish -- Crosby's a total stud.

 

The Hawks... well, I would go nuts if somehow, someway, their name is the last to be announced. What I mean by that -- they're going to announce the teams from last to first (in order of the lottery), so 30th to 1st.

 

For people in the Chicagoland area, Comcast is starting coverage at 3:00 EST. There's some other things, like rule changes, primarily taking out the red line (I like it -- I've watched some college hockey the past few weeks on FCN, and there isn't as much 'cherrypicking' as I'd thought), shootouts, and some other things that I'll be interested in hearing.

 

But, for hockey fans -- especially the diehard here, this is the biggest day in a year, and I'm extremely pumped. This draft is supposed to be pretty decent, and I've heard that so long as you're in the Top 10, you'll have a shot at a good talent (meaning, if you get pick #8, it won't be all that different from pick #4). But, I don't think anyone has pick 8 or pick 4 on their mind -- it's number one...

 

And, if the Hawks don't get him -- please, PLEASE -- he can't go to Detroit. Or Toronto.

Where are the Hawks projected to fall.

Where are the Hawks projected to fall.

 

Don't know. They have a 4.2% chance of getting first. Out of the thirty teams, sixteen of them have a 2.1% shot at first (one ball in the lotto), ten of them have a 4.2% chance (two balls in the lotto), and four teams have a 6.3%.

 

Here's the way it works -- each team gets at least one ball in the lotto. The max is three. Take each team, and they get three balls -- subtract a ball for making the playoffs (each of the last three years), and subtract a ball for winning the lotto in the past three years.

 

So, f*** you Mike Smith for putting together a garbage veteran-laiden team three years ago that got their asses beat by St. Louis in the first round...

I might actually watch this. I love sports lotteries.

If they get this crazy stud guy I will actually watch hockey.

 

I know all of you care

If they get this crazy stud guy I will actually watch hockey.

 

I know all of you care

Absolutely. My life has changed forever.

 

The Rangers win somehow will the lottery, they'll want hockey to be big in NY again.

Sidney Crosby would be a monster for this club, but he'll end up magically going to the rangers when they magically win the lottery.

Sidney Crosby would be a monster for this club, but he'll end up magically going to the rangers when they magically win the lottery.

 

That's my prediction as well. Shades of the first NBA lottery with Patrick Ewing at stake.

They are showing this live - there's not going to be a "rigging" but mathematically, the Rangers have the best shot (along with three others) because they have sucked so bad for the last 4 years.

When will the season's schedule be published?

When will the season's schedule be published?

As soon as the players pay the printers, as mandated in the collective bargaining agreement.

 

And as I've said before, the only way I'll be 100% certain that the lottery isn't rigged is if Crosby ends up in Buffalo, Edmonton, Nashville or Carolina.

When will the season's schedule be published?

My understanding is Monday.

 

I already have snippets of how they are going to do the schedule.

 

Under the CBA, teams will play division opponents eight times for a total of 32 games.

 

Teams will play the other 10 teams in the conference four times each for a total of 40 more games.

 

Teams will also play one road game each vs. one division in the other conference (east vs. west) for 5 games and one home game each against another division in the other conference for the last 5 games, missing five teams a season.

 

The one division opponent not played in the current year from the other conference will rotate in and out in the years following.

Edited July 22, 200520 yr by kapkomet

I might end up watching this, could be interesting.

Come on NHL, we got screwed out of Ovechkin, help some brothas out...

*prays Florida or Ottawa wins lottery*

Edited July 22, 200520 yr by ChiSox_Sonix

Breakdown of everyone's chances

*prays Florida or Ottawa wins lottery* 

FLORIDA!!!!

 

 

Then I would get to spend some quality time with the next great one...

 

Real breakdown of chances-

 

NY Rangers- 79 percent

Toronto- 20 percent

Rest of NHL- 1 percent (extreme accident)

*prays Florida or Ottawa wins lottery* 

 

I'll buy into the Ottawa one, but other then them, I would like to see the Canes win .

He will be a NY Ranger League wants him in NY this lottery for SC is behind closed doors for a reason, If it is not fixed why else hid it from public view.This whole thing stinks to high heaven.

Someone's really going to be lucky today...because Sidney Crosby will singlehandly turn their franchise around.

 

I can't even fathom the Hawks winning it...it'd be unbelievable. I'd have a Crosby jersey in red, white, and black within a week, once i find out what number he'd be using.

 

For the few of us Hawks fans left, this is a big day. On top of that, the next 11 or so weeks before the season starts is absolutely huge. Hawks have a chance to really put together a solid team and attempt to win some fans back. They have as fair a shot as every other team to sign free agents and put this organization back on the Chicago map.

 

Also, Keith...the way i'm seeing the draft, if we don't win it, i want us to be in the top 5. The top 5 guys are supposedly a touch above the rest of the draft. I just hope we aren't super unlucky and get picked 17th or some lame ass s***.

 

This will be interesting to watch at 2:00...though the draft lottery won't be unveiled til 3:00, i think.

So for the NHL fans out there...did they have a draft for the 04-05 season? If no does that mean 2 years worth of players are in this draft?

I don't believe there was a draft for the canceled season. From the sounds of things, yes, there are two drafts' worth of players there (but I am guessing some have dropped out - but that is a big guess - Kap could probably give a better answer).

HERE WE GO

made it through 10