Hockey From Across the Pond - Year 1

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my followers throughout this last year. It is hard to believe we are approaching this blogs very first anniversary. We have seen some major changes take place across the NHL, not least the latest Gary Bettman lockout, causing us to miss over three months worth of hockey action. That was a major concern as I launched this blog, just a week before the lockout was announced, causing all sorts of problems and panic. Thankfully we did eventually get some game action to write about.

As we look ahead to year 2, there is plenty to talk about. We have the divisional re-alignment for starters, which although I am not exactly thrilled by it, could make for some ‘new’ rivalries being forged and some exciting match-ups.

 

With the new CBA now in place, it means we have been given another shake-up to the rosters, as happened in 2005. Some surprise moves have already taken place such as the flying Finn Valteri Filppula departing Detroit, and being replaced by Ottawa’s long-serving captain Daniel Alfredsson. Cory Schneider leaving Vancouver for New Jersey was another shock, but the biggest one by far was Nathan Horton leaving Stanley Cup finalists Boston for the Columbus Blue Jackets, surely money isn’t everything, wouldn’t he have a much better shot at winning another Stanley Cup with the Bruins than the Jackets?

 

It isn’t just Hockey’s Greatest League that has undergone changes though, the eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed subtle changes to the blog over the last few weeks. In a bid to improve the layout and overall appearance of the site I am hoping to continue with the positive alterations. Certainly this past year has taught me a few things, as mistakes have been made along the way. By the start of the 2013-14 NHL season I hope to have implemented much better content to the posts as well.

 

While I am reluctant to take the blog in a completely different direction, I will place greater emphasis on the teams that matter, to me. All 30 NHL teams will continue to get coverage on here, but in a much different style. For example Coyotes fans and Canucks fans will get much more to read about on their team, but the five other teams from the Pacific Division (Kings, Ducks, Sharks, Oilers & Flames) will get more of a summary. All still get just as good coverage as they have in the past, if not better! This will be the same format for the other 3 divisions. The Metropolitan Division will see the focus on the Penguins and the Rangers, while the Jackets, Canes, Devils, Isles, Crapitals & Goons will continue to be summarised. For the new ‘Atlantic’ Division Detroit & Florida will be the teams of choice although the Bruins may still get a lot of attention too, leaving the Leafs, Sens, Sabres, Habs & Bolts amongst the teams in the summarised category. Finally the Central Division will see Dallas, Colorado & Chicago all get extensive coverage, with the Jets, Wild, Blues & Preds receiving all receiving a great amount of column inches.

 

I also intend to provide better coverage of my local team, the Whitley Warriors, with more mention of the team and their history on these pages too.

 

Along with the new coverage I am pleased to announce the signing of a new hockey contributor to this site. This is someone who has great experience in hockey writing and in securing these talents, this blog has gained a great deal of credibility. It is a very prestigious day for ‘Hockey From Across the Pond’ to announce its first official correspondent for the Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers.

 

I hope these changes will be met with delight, as I believe this blog can get better and better. So watch this space!