THE MOST PROLIFIC SCORER IN OHL HISTORY

Last night, John Tavares of the London Knights scored three goals, giving him 215 for his career in the Ontario Hockey League. Tavares passed Peter Lee, who's 213 goals were the most anyone had ever scored in the OHL, until Tavares came along. The record, now his, would not have been broken without another outstanding season from the 19-year-old, with 58 goals and 104 points so far this year. He has 2 more games this season, which is sure to be his last in the OHL.

Next season, of course, should be Tavares' rookie year in the NHL. He is the big prize in next year's draft class, and should make one struggling organization very happy. Central scouting has him as North America's top skating prospect, and obviously with good reason. Tavares was the OHL Rookie of the Year in 2006, the OHL MVP in 2007, and now is that league's all-time leader in goals.

As of March 8, 4 teams have at least a 10% shot at winning the lottery and getting the top overall pick in the draft. With 51 points this season, the New York Islanders have far and away the best shot at Tavares, with a 25% chance. The Tampa Bay Lightning are next at 18.8%, followed by the Atlanta Thrashers (14.2%) and Colorado Avalanche (10.7%). I'm sure any one of those clubs would love to take a chance on the most prolific scorer in OHL history.

AN NHL MAKEOVER

It's pretty common knowledge that the NHL has struggled more than any other of the United States' four major sports. The lockout in 2004-05, rising ticket prices, and the lack of a major television contract have all had a negative effect on the league, it's policies, and the way it conducts it's business. I think it's time for Gary Bettman to give the NHL what it so desperately needs: a complete and utter makeover. A lot of these changes would help revamp the league, get more butts in the seats, and make hockey a big time draw once again. That said, I know most/all of these suggestions are never going to happen, but hey, I can dream, right?

Contraction
There are simply too many teams in the NHL. 30 teams is far too many for a true competitive balance because there are just too many players. Eliminate a few teams, and the league needs fewer players. The more talented players will always fill those spots, and the problem is solved. A watered down talent pool hurts the NHL big time because the players are just not as good. It's one reason why the MLS struggles too: why would I watch mediocre players in the US on television when I could just as easily watch the best in the world compete in Europe? The NHL needs to eliminate two markets: The Phoenix Coyotes and the New York Islanders. Those two rate last in overall value, and continue to lose tons of money each year. Get rid of 'em!

Relocation
Now that the NHL is down to 28 teams, some of them need a change of scenery. Canada is all about hockey, yet the league continues to ignore them to put teams in the American south. Get real! The Nashville Predators move to Hamilton, Ontario, and the Florida Panthers move to Winnipeg. Additionally, the Atlanta Thrashers move north and become the Quebec Nationales. The new Hamilton Predators move to the Eastern Conference, and the Winnipeg Winterhawks switch to the West. It's a pretty well known fact that attendance in Canadian markets is never really a problem. Why are the Predators in Nashville and the Thrashers in Atlanta when nobody there even cares about them? It's ridiculous.

Realignment
Because of all the changes, the league would need to realign the divisions. Each league would now have two divisions instead of three, with seven teams in each. Here is what the new alignments would look like.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Willie O'Ree Division
Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Quebec Nationales

Scotty Bowman Division
Hamilton Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Gordie Howe Division
Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Winterhawks

Herb Brooks Division
Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars

A New Playoff System
Finally, the playoff system needs a little bit of tweaking. Now that the league has fewer teams, there need to be fewer playoff spots. I propose that six teams in each conference make the postseason, with the division winners getting first round byes. Here is a sample of how it might look.

First Round
1. Detroit Red Wings (Howe Winners)-- First Round Bye
2. Chicago Blackhawks (Brooks Winners)-- First Round Bye

3. San Jose Sharks vs. 6. Anaheim Ducks
4. Edmonton Oilers vs. 5. Calgary Flames

Western Conference Semi-Finals
1. Detroit Red Wings vs. 4. Edmonton Oilers
2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 3. San Jose Sharks

It would give a real benefit to teams for winning their division, while mantaining competitive fairness for the rest of the teams in the league.

Revenue Changes
Finally, the NHL needs to lower it's ticket prices significantly in order for fans to restore faith in the league, and keep those butts in the seats. While, yes, lowering ticket prices may mean less money for the league at first, it means more fans, and in the long run that means more money. Lower ticket prices will turn casual fans into die-hard fans, and would raise the league's profits significantly.

While Gary Bettman probably won't take my suggestions, and the CBA and current econony most likely wouldn't allow any of these changes to actually take place, I think the NHL would have a much brighter future like this. But hey, who doesn't want to pay $200 to see Florida and Phoenix? Oh, right...

WILL THE ISLANDERS MOVE TO KC?

The recent announcement that the New York Islanders will take on the Los Angeles Kings in a preseason game in Kansas City certainly makes it seem like the Islanders are looking for a way out of New York. It's no secret that the team is struggling both on and off the ice, making a deal for the new arena that owner Charles Wang wants all the more unlikely.

Furthering the speculation, of course, is the fact that Kansas City has been looking for an NHL team for some time. The city made a big push for the Pittsburgh Penguins to make the move when the club was struggling to receive funding for a new rink of their own in 2007. KC opened the Sprint Center that same year, a $276 million NHL ready arena in downtown Kansas City. The city previously tried to lure the Nashville Predators out west as well, but the Preds ownership group elected to sign a new lease to remain in the Sommet Center instead.

New Yorkers certainly won't be broken up if the Islanders do pack up and leave town. The Isles rank dead last in attendance per game, drawing an average of 13, 566 a night. Part of the reason for that may be fact that the team is 12-28-4 and are last in the Eastern Conference. It may have something to do with the team's current arena as well. The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened in 1972 and has the smallest capacity in the NHL. The deteriorating building is considered obsolete compared to more modern hockey arenas and hasn't held up well throughout the years.

If Wang doesn't get the funding for a new arena, it's looking more and more likely that the team will pack up and leave town. By the time next September rolls around, the Isles preseason game against LA may be the team's first exhibition game in it's new permanent home.