New NHL Schedule

[calgarygeologist]

Am I the only one that dislikes the changes to the NHL schedule as a result of realignment last season? My biggest issues is that there doesn't seem to be as much importance or development of rivalries within the divisions because the teams play each other less. 29 divisional games just doesn't seem adequate. I'd like to 6 games against each divisional team.

One of the things that bothers me the most about scheduling this year is that the Flames play almost no games against teams within their division down the stretch. Of their last 15 games only 3 are against division opponents. Maybe it is just a Pacific division scheduling problem because Vancouver only plays 5 of their last 15 against division teams. The Oilers have 6 games. Although LA has 8 of the last 15 against division opponents. Conversely, the Bruins and Leafs play 9 of their last against division opponents (the Leafs actually play 7 of their last 8 games against divisional teams). Montreal has 8 out of the last 15 against division opponents.

[nik-]

1 and 1 against the east teams is way better than the BS divisional stacked schedules. Sorry, it's boring playing the same team 6 and 8 times.

[CubicleGeek]

Love the new schedule and how we play every team at least once. The worst schedule was when we played our division rivals 8 times a piece.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Am I the only one that dislikes the changes to the NHL schedule as a result of realignment last season? My biggest issues is that there doesn't seem to be as much importance or development of rivalries within the divisions because the teams play each other less. 29 divisional games just doesn't seem adequate. I'd like to 6 games against each divisional team.

One of the things that bothers me the most about scheduling this year is that the Flames play almost no games against teams within their division down the stretch. Of their last 15 games only 3 are against division opponents. Maybe it is just a Pacific division scheduling problem because Vancouver only plays 5 of their last 15 against division teams. The Oilers have 6 games. Although LA has 8 of the last 15 against division opponents. Conversely, the Bruins and Leafs play 9 of their last against division opponents (the Leafs actually play 7 of their last 8 games against divisional teams). Montreal has 8 out of the last 15 against division opponents.

It's hard to schedule.

When they had heavy division schedules people complained since we had to see Minnesota, Edmonton, Colorado, etc 8 times per season.

I think this is a decent balance. You play every team at least twice, so you get to see more variety.

In the end rivalries are made in the playoffs, and divisions don't matter as much.

[AC]

Yep I love the fact that every team comes here once at least.

There was a time when Crosby, Ovechkin, etc. only came to the Dome once every 3 years.

[calgarygeologist]

8 games against divisional teams in the current set up (7 or 8 teams) would be way too much. I think 6 is a good number for divisional games. I'm fine with playing the eastern teams once a season on a rotational basis for home/away. The new scheduling also seems to be putting some teams on the road for extending periods (5+ game road trips.)

[djsFlames]

I do think we should play Edmonton and Vancouver 6 times apiece, no matter what. Allows for a decent sized "series" through which we can decide a winner and loser each season. Makes things fun.

However, I didn't like that we would see some teams once or not at all prior to the past couple seasons. That aspect of it is much improved.

[Lord Carnage]

Seeing each time at least once a year in the dome is worth it. I'd rather have that experiencing the same sad divisional time over and over.

Love the new schedule!

[Robbob]

Rivalries are born in the playoffs and spill over to the regular season. The playoff format is what will help rivalries because now you have to go through your division to get to the next round (unless you are a WC and get flipped to the other division).

[Yrebmi]

I hate that Nucks get to play oil for I think the 4th time already. It pads thier stats while we are chasing them in the standings.
serious though I do not have any major concerns on the schedule.

[Rhettzky]

I love having the chance to see every team live and I really love not having to go to 3 Minnesota games anymore!

[Resolute 14]

It is a no-win situation for the NHL due to the number of teams. They tried to go with the division-heavy schedule out of the 2005 lockout to try and rekindle regional rivalries. A lot of people complained.

Personally, the less I have to deal with Vancouver fans, the happier I am.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It is a no-win situation for the NHL due to the number of teams. They tried to go with the division-heavy schedule out of the 2005 lockout to try and rekindle regional rivalries. A lot of people complained.

Personally, the less I have to deal with Vancouver fans, the happier I am.

I almost agree with the post. I don't think it is no-win, because I think they won with current version. Much improved over the past schedules.

Completely agree with the second part, the less I see of Canuck fans the better.

[GioforPM]

You don't need 8 games to build a rivalry, in fact, more games detracts from it at a certain stage. Makes each game a little less important.


I like every team coming to town.

[Sec218]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Am I the only one that dislikes the changes to the NHL schedule as a result of realignment last season?

Apparently you are...

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Sec218

Apparently you are...

Yup, apparently so.

[Bill Bumface]

Someone forgets playing the Wild 8 times a year...

[Radically Red]

Current schedule with 2 games vs all east teams is great.. I like this change.
8 times vs on team was way to much.

I would be just fine if they kept this current schedule.

[Zarley]

I think the divisional playoff format more than compensates for the loss of regular season divisional games. It's playoff series that build rivalries, not regular season play.

[Burninator]

For me playing rivals like Edmonton and Vancouver more times per year hurt the rivalry more than it fueled it. It feels more important if there are fewer games. Not as intense if we beat Edmonton or Vancouver and they are saying "we will get you back next game...later this month."