The NHL welcomes Back Teams in Hartford and Quebec City

Steve Thompson recently published in Bleacher Report a highly entertaining column about NHL expansion to 40 teams in two 20 team conferences over the next 10 years - including the arrival of new Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques franchises.  And while much of it was tongue-in-cheek (New York Islanders getting a new arena and Phoenix getting a new basketball team in response to losing the Coyotes).

I personally liked the column.  I have two changes to the list.  First off, if Montreal can support two teams, then Toronto can support two teams too.  Get rid of Spokane. 

Second, the Islanders are never going to stay where they are.  They will move to Regina or Halifax.  If the move is to Halifax, then move the Hartford Whalers to the Rangers Division and Halifax Islanders can move to the Northeast Division.  If Regina is the new city, then move Regina to the saskatoon Division, move Chicago to the St. Louis Division and have St. Louis play in the Eastern Conference.

Overall, it was a very entertaining piece.  And I hope this takes place.  Anything to get the hartford Whalers back.

USFL's Five Best Players in History - Or the Irrelevant 5

You go on to Pro Football Reference and their statistics don't even show the USFL years for the league's greatest players.  It's as if those years 1983-85 in professional football didn't exist.  But the USFL once featured some of the best American football players.  Football players who became hall of fame material after leaving the USFL when it folded.

1.  Hershel Walker.  Leading the league in rushing both in 1983 and in 1985, it is clear that Walker was the most successful player in USFL history.  Even in his 40's Walker was interested in returning to professional football earlier this year.  His 2411 rushing yards in 1985 remains the record for the most rushing yards in one season (I know it was in 18 games.).

2.  Doug Flutie.  Despite Walker's emergence as the best player in the USFL, the New Jersey Generals only won 6 games in Walker inaugural season, 1983.  Because of that, new Owner, Donald Trump sought out the best quarterback in the 1985 draft.  That Quarterback was Doug Flutie.  Despite winning the Heisman Trophy in 1984, he was not projected to be that much of a professional Quarterback.  Although he struggled in his only year in the USFL, he went on to great success, particularly in the CFL.

3.  Jim Kelly.  The Houston Gamblers lucked out when Jim Kelly landed in their laps because he didn't want to play in cold weather Buffalo.  The 1984 USFL MVP, Kelly set all of the passing records in teh USFL.  Was he going to be taking Doug Flutie's place as starting Generals Quarterback in 1986?  Who knows?

4.  Reggie White.  Playing for the Memphis Showboats in 1984 and 1985, the former University of Tennessee standout recorded double digit in sacks both of the years he played in the USFL before heading to the Phildadelphia Eagles. 

5.  Steve Young.  The Los Angeles Express won Steve Young out of BYU in 1984.  Despite receiving the largest contract in USFL history, Young was unable to do much as starting Quarterback in his years in the USFL biding his time until he took over as QB of the Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers.  His claim to USFL fame was being the most prolific rushing Quarterback in USFL history.