UPDATE: NHLPA votes for further negotiations on 24-team return to play format

[scotty2hotty]

Fair enough. I was picturing a shortened tournament style.

Granted ... I have not followed this thread at all.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I hope the NHL has a sense of humour. (But I know they don’t.)

I’d like to see this. If they come back with empty arenas, then, like old sitcoms had a laugh track, they could add some things in to jazz up the broadcast just a touch.

Get the mannequin and jersey manufacturers back to work and load up the lower bowl with jerseyed up mannequins.

When a goal is scored, overdub some cheering and load up some stock footage of the home team fans on the broadcast.

Also, have a contest where 10 lucky fans get to come in for the Stanley Cup finals, starting in game 4 and maintaining social distance, of course. Because if a Stanley Cup is awarded without Bettman being booed in person, is that not the Cup truly being awarded with an asterisk?

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I hope the NHL has a sense of humour. (But I know they don’t.)

I’d like to see this. If they come back with empty arenas, then, like old sitcoms had a laugh track, they could add some things in to jazz up the broadcast just a touch.

Get the mannequin and jersey manufacturers back to work and load up the lower bowl with jerseyed up mannequins.

When a goal is scored, overdub some cheering and load up some stock footage of the home team fans on the broadcast.

Also, have a contest where 10 lucky fans get to come in for the Stanley Cup finals, starting in game 4 and maintaining social distance, of course. Because if a Stanley Cup is awarded without Bettman being booed in person, is that not the Cup truly being awarded with an asterisk?

Could they also add in a crowd like they do for the advertisements that appear on the glass?

I don't know how good it would look but that could be a creative option alongside the "laugh tracks".

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Could they also add in a crowd like they do for the advertisements that appear on the glass?

I don't know how good it would look but that could be a creative option alongside the "laugh tracks".

A hologram of an oilers fan throwing his jersey onto the ice to make it realistic?

[CliffFletcher]

They could partner with EA Sports and cut in scenes of cheering fans.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

It will be surreal when a goal is scored and the only cheers you hear are from the players themselves. I'm sure they will need the "bleep" button at the ready for all the curse words you would suddenly pick up as well. Probably have it on a ten second delay.

if they want good TV ratings, make it uncut.

I'd watch that for sure.

[GioforPM]

I’m OK if the number of games resembles the real season. I’d be against some sort of tournament qualifying for the Cup.

I’m a tad concerned about fitness for the players. They will need a substantial prep period.

[Weitz]

How close are they really? It was reported yesterday that all the Oilers who were still around Edmonton returned to their offseason homes over the last couple days.

[Toonage]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ce-facilities/

Seems like players would be called back en mass to where ever their practice facilities would be in about a month

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Toonage

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ce-facilities/

Seems like players would be called back en mass to where ever their practice facilities would be in about a month

I wonder if that would include all the players playing in the Ahl also? Have to think there is no chance ahl tries to finish season. Have to think at the very least every nhl team will have to carry a taxi squad.

[Toonage]

A report yesterday suggested the AHL was ready to cancel their season so yes, I also think a taxi squad of AHL players will be likely.

https://www.tsn.ca/report-ahl-season...lled-1.1470472

[getbak]

I assume each team will need to carry about 40 players for this to work: ~25 man active roster, with another 12-15 (minimum 2 at each position) on a reserve squad who practice separately but still in quarantine so they can be "called up" in case of injury on the main squad.

[Toonage]

Somehow Czarnik still won't be called up

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by getbak

I assume each team will need to carry about 40 players for this to work: ~25 man active roster, with another 12-15 (minimum 2 at each position) on a reserve squad who practice separately but still in quarantine so they can be "called up" in case of injury on the main squad.

The Covid Aces

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by getbak

I assume each team will need to carry about 40 players for this to work: ~25 man active roster, with another 12-15 (minimum 2 at each position) on a reserve squad who practice separately but still in quarantine so they can be "called up" in case of injury on the main squad.

They are talking going with a 30 man roster

1 G 2 Dmen and 4 F as the extras.

All 30 guys would have to live/practice/ everything together though.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by transplant99

They are talking going with a 30 man roster

1 G 2 Dmen and 4 F as the extras.

All 30 guys would have to live/practice/ everything together though.

That doesn't seem enough to me. All it takes is one injured goalie and you're praying that the two you have left can stay healthy.

Any call-ups from outside the quarantine would have to go through a two-week isolation before they could join a team. They need to build in redundancies on top of redundancies.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by getbak

That doesn't seem enough to me. All it takes is one injured goalie and you're praying that the two you have left can stay healthy.

Any call-ups from outside the quarantine would have to go through a two-week isolation before they could join a team. They need to build in redundancies on top of redundancies.

Used to be a time that the emergency goaltender was a teammate strapping on the pads. (Jerry Toppazzini of the Boston Bruins being the last one in 1960).

Designate someone versatile like Derek Ryan as the EBUG?

[standinmotion]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Why? The NHL has not mentioned a "tournament style" format. They are shooting for a completion of the regular season and full play off. Also hosting in 4 cities does not mean there will be no travel. For a regular season completion it would involve team travel amongst chosen cities.

If they do partial completion of the season (their second option) one would think a modified tournament format to get al the teams to "X" number of games would happen followed by a complete playoff hosted by the 4 cities. Option 3 of just a playoff which is likely the most realistic expectation would have just 4 teams in each of the cities for two rounds. Sure you could put an asterisk beside the champion but who cares? '92, '95, '13 were all much short Er seasons and no one questioned those playoffs.

IMHO, the only scenario that warrants an asterisk is if a team gets affected by an infection outbreak. Say, if the Penguins are in the final, and Crosby and Malkin couldn't play because of an infection. Injuries are part of the game, and one could argue this is similar to an injury; but the two are not quite the same in my book.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Could they also add in a crowd like they do for the advertisements that appear on the glass?

I don't know how good it would look but that could be a creative option alongside the "laugh tracks".

Would have to have "Ref You Suck!" on cue or it wouldn't be realistic.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Could they also add in a crowd like they do for the advertisements that appear on the glass?

I don't know how good it would look but that could be a creative option alongside the "laugh tracks".

I hope they do this. I dont know if anyone has watched Jimmy Fallon at home but the jokes are super painful with no one laughing. I realize now half of why i'm laughing/ enjoying it is because of the live crowd.