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Originally Posted by transplant99
Byes were really not a thing they could do...it would then have been an advantage to those that played already as they would be at game speed and shape when taking on the higher seed. So the "competitive integrity" thing is even worse than in that convoluted scenario.
Again...how is it "more lucrative"? It will cost the leagues oodles more money for that first two weeks than it would have otherwise. They aren't "making" a dime more than they would have.
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There are already 8 "byes" (and 16 down to 8)...byes may play some games, but they will be pre-season intensity.
Lucrative = negotiations with rights holders. Habs and Hawks regional deals are certainly worth more than the Sabres or Coyotes. It's about reducing losses, and that's fine. The NHL balance sheet will look better, not worse, but having the Habs and Hawks play these series.