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Calgary4LIfe · 03-10-2016, 01:21 PM

I would assume that at this point, if the NHL was to go ahead with expansion on one or two teams, it would be for the start of the 2017/18 season. Next draft will probably be affected (if the expansion is a go at that time).

I would also hope that they don't automatically aware 1st and 2nd overall picks. Give them 4 and 5, I would say.

The NHL I think is different now than the last expansion sets. I see quite a number of decent vets unable to find a team and head on over to Europe to play the rest of their careers. I see a lot more young players entering the NHL and doing well than ever before (well, at least since the early 80's when I was old enough to remember as a kid).

I think there is a lot more talent that these teams are going to be able to pluck out of other teams, as well as UFAs in need of a job. Wouldn't surprise me if they become more like the Florida Panthers rather than the Atlanta Thrashers. I do think Bettman has a point in that these teams need a better chance of success off the get-go in order to draw enough fans to make them sustainable, but awarding the first and second overall is a bit silly to me. Let them 'earn it' the following season or two, just like San Jose, Anaheim, etc. Now those are model franchises.

If the NHL thinks a city is strong enough to have an expansion franchise, then they HAVE to be strong enough to go through a couple of rough-ish seasons in which they draft high.

Outside of Edmonton - the perennial high pick club - I can't see too many other franchises strong enough to finish in the bottom of the standings and drop down another 2 spots - especially if the lotteries push them down even further. Vancouver is a team that is probably on the way to last or second-last place position in the next couple of seasons - can they really afford to pick 5th or 6th? And if they can't, I can't imagine Carolina, Phoenix, Nashville, and some other clubs that aren't all that healthy as it is now.

Either way, this year is safe for sure. There is absolutely no way that the NHL board of governors would be passing some resolution awarding the top picks to an expansion franchise when teams have already 'sold' past the trade-deadline, and moves have been made in accordance with that. Just seems completely unfair at this point.

Now Calgary, make this the last time you pick this late.

Sorry Oilers, for the first time in 10 seasons, you just might be guaranteed to lose a first overall pick. I predict the top prospects that year will be able to do 100 pull-ups.

03-10-2016, 01:21 PM	#1144
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I would assume that at this point, if the NHL was to go ahead with expansion on one or two teams, it would be for the start of the 2017/18 season. Next draft will probably be affected (if the expansion is a go at that time). I would also hope that they don't automatically aware 1st and 2nd overall picks. Give them 4 and 5, I would say. The NHL I think is different now than the last expansion sets. I see quite a number of decent vets unable to find a team and head on over to Europe to play the rest of their careers. I see a lot more young players entering the NHL and doing well than ever before (well, at least since the early 80's when I was old enough to remember as a kid). I think there is a lot more talent that these teams are going to be able to pluck out of other teams, as well as UFAs in need of a job. Wouldn't surprise me if they become more like the Florida Panthers rather than the Atlanta Thrashers. I do think Bettman has a point in that these teams need a better chance of success off the get-go in order to draw enough fans to make them sustainable, but awarding the first and second overall is a bit silly to me. Let them 'earn it' the following season or two, just like San Jose, Anaheim, etc. Now those are model franchises. If the NHL thinks a city is strong enough to have an expansion franchise, then they HAVE to be strong enough to go through a couple of rough-ish seasons in which they draft high. Outside of Edmonton - the perennial high pick club - I can't see too many other franchises strong enough to finish in the bottom of the standings and drop down another 2 spots - especially if the lotteries push them down even further. Vancouver is a team that is probably on the way to last or second-last place position in the next couple of seasons - can they really afford to pick 5th or 6th? And if they can't, I can't imagine Carolina, Phoenix, Nashville, and some other clubs that aren't all that healthy as it is now. Either way, this year is safe for sure. There is absolutely no way that the NHL board of governors would be passing some resolution awarding the top picks to an expansion franchise when teams have already 'sold' past the trade-deadline, and moves have been made in accordance with that. Just seems completely unfair at this point. Now Calgary, make this the last time you pick this late. Sorry Oilers, for the first time in 10 seasons, you just might be guaranteed to lose a first overall pick. I predict the top prospects that year will be able to do 100 pull-ups.