In place of the NHL all-star game, we propose the league split up and play eight four-team, home-and-home, round-robin competitions over the final two weeks in January. Each four-team tourney would have its own Cup, no doubt in today's sporting world with a corporate handle. Here's how we see the new 32-team league being geographically divided (these groupings can be debated, too):
•Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle.
•Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg.
•Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Vegas.
•Chicago, Detroit Minnesota, St. Louis
•Carolina, Florida, Nashville, Tampa Bay.
•New Jersey, N.Y. Islanders, N.Y. Rangers, Philadelphia.
•Boston, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Washington.
•Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto.
The players still get their precious week off, but only this time during Super Bowl week..