I think it's time to really ramp up this thread with a ton of news expected this week.
What I wonder is, will the NHL change its schedule? Knowing you have 32 teams for probably a pretty good length of time, do they move to a more balanced schedule? With the most minimum amount of changes, you could do:
32 games against the other conference (16 x 2)
24 games against the other division within your conference (8 x 3)
26 games against your own division (5 x 4 and only 3 games against two other teams)
Or you could do:
32 games against the other conference (16 x 2)
16 games against the other division within your conference (8 x 2)
28 games within your own division (7 x 4)
4 wildcard games (additional games within division to promote rivalries, Oilers/Flames, maybe a historic rivalry like Blackhawks/Red Wings, etc.)
It could also be an opportunity for the NHL to reduce the total number of games. I'm wondering if anyone else has any ideas.
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