Here, we (Collectively) often talk about the need for an enforcer, or more grit.  We discuss whether or not the aspect of an enforcer is necessary in today's game, among other things.  We also get into the discussions of how this player isn't acceptable (John Erskine isn't good enough, Donald Brashear fights teenagers, Matt Cooke knees people, etc).

The problem with this mindset is that most gritty guys or enforcers have done some dirty crap.  Grit and dirt in the NHL are separated by such a thin line that it's often crossed, and often unintentionally.

There are some players who can contribute solidly to the physical game and score, like Jarome Iginla.  The only problem is, those players who can do that aren't going to move.

Who, then, should the Caps use to add this element that the team seems to be missing(outside of Matt Bradley)?

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A conversation with Stanley Cup of Chowder over on his blog
(http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2009/10/1/1065344/bruins-fall-to-washington-4-1-in#comments) has got me thinking - the Caps really do play against Atlantic and Northeast foes better than they do against the Southeast.  I also got to thinking about the time old conversation of divisional realignments, which I think makes a lot of sense.

We've been in the Southeast since the league adopted the 6 division format, and honestly, I'm tired of it.  Our closest thing to a rival in our division is just a team that hates us and throws beer on our fans when we go visit.  I can't think of a team in the Northeast and Atlantic who I dislike less than Carolina.

The league insists on geographical divisions, which I'm fine with.  They make the most sense to keep travel costs down, but it's completely unfair to the Capitals.  Raleigh is 278 miles from DC by car.  By contrast, Pittsburgh (246), Philly (138), and New York (227) are all closer.  I can't think of a team that is closer to five non-divisional rivals than it is to ONE divisional foe (Except, perhaps Nashville, but I doubt it).

If you look further, the Capitals are 1,035 miles from Sunrise, FL (Panthers).  By contrast, the Capitals are closer to MONTREAL (592), and they're about as far away as you need to get.

The facts are, the geographical divisions may hurt the Capitals.  It could even be possible that the team is more tired from longer flights to divisional foes.  Regardless, I think the divisions are a joke.  Five teams compete for a promised 1-3 spot.  I'd rather 7 or 8 teams compete for a 1-2 spot.  That in mind, I propose a divisional realignment, and if you want to base on geography, that's fine, but leaving the Capitals out of divisional match-ups with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is marketing the NHL just is letting slip away.  And maybe if we were in a new division, we'd find a way to play better more consistantly.

Hell, we're even closer to more teams in the Central division than we are the Southeast.  Swap us with Nashville, and the divisional travel schedule wouldn't even change that much.

Regardless, it's just a shame that we can't play as well against Southeast opponents, or I wouldn't even bring this up.

Sorry for the second fanpost, but there's nothing I can do to create a new poll with the new suggestions.  Tuesday may be a better option.  As far as time, please leave comments to what time is the best.

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Seeing as CapsCon is Saturday, I'm thinking we should have the draft Friday Night (As a way to kick it off and brag about who got Ovechkin at JapersFest) or Sunday Afternoon.  I'll have a poll going on here and I'm sorry it took so long to get this organized.

Alternate ideas can be discussed in the comments.

Also, since the fan post needs to be 75 words long, and I only had 61 before this, here is some bullcrap to let me fan post it.