[SuperMatt18]

I think they also need to find a way to make the regular season mean more and really re-think it. I also think they should really reward regular season champions in addition to playoff champions. (Extra Draft Pick would be neat at 33 Overall IMO - can't be traded).

Personally I do wonder if moving to almost more of a European Soccer schedule could breathe some life in to the NHL. Have a bigger reward for the regular season champion, and put it equal level to the Stanley Cup, opposed to how the President's Trophy is an afterthought today.

I still believe that a 62 game regular season schedule (all 31 teams play a balanced schedule of home and away games) and make this mean more and don't just gloss it over like the President's Trophy often feels glossed over. Players would be refreshed - matchups would be more exciting as you're only playing each team once per year.

Then go to more of a cup format for the playoffs where everyone makes the "Stanley Cup Playoffs" similar to how all teams play in the Football/Soccer Cups in Europe.

5 game divisional playoff in round 1 using the regular season standings. (1vs8 in each division).

7 game divisional playoff in round 2 and 3.

Crown your 4 divisional champions and then go into the final 4.

You get rid of all the extra divisional games in the regular season - but add a higher stakes playoff round at the divisional level in the playoffs and really build those divisional rivalries in the playoffs.