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

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by shogged

Actually, this forum has done a really good job of targeting sexism as a means of being more inclusive. It’s no wonder at all that someone made a sexist statement and was immediately called out.

It wasn't a sexist statement at all and I am very offended it has turned into that. I was clearly saying some people marry for wealth and social status. I have defended women's rights multiple times on here. Of course you will just ignore the fact I said it applies to men too. It is over, can we get back on topic now?

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It wasn't a sexist statement at all and I am very offended it has turned into that. I was clearly saying some people marry for wealth and social status. I have defended women's rights multiple times on here. Of course you will just ignore the fact I said it applies to men too. It is over, can we get back on topic now?

Just tell us you’re female.

[kyuss275]

Let’s get this back on track. I read an article saying that the 24 team playoff format is gaining traction. Let’s face it, the only reason they are trying to finish season in any form is because of the money they would have to credit for the following season and escrow. I could see why they would go straight into playoffs . Players on teams that are already eliminated don’t want to come back and I don’t blame them. They can call it the Stanley cup championships but in my eyes it will just be a unique tournament . That’s fine with me considering the reasons they are trying to do this. With NhL being a gate driven league , I’m not convinced they will have a 20/21 season .

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Let’s get this back on track. I read an article saying that the 24 team playoff format is gaining traction. Let’s face it, the only reason they are trying to finish season in any form is because of the money they would have to credit for the following season and escrow. I could see why they would go straight into playoffs . Players on teams that are already eliminated don’t want to come back and I don’t blame them. They can call it the Stanley cup championships but in my eyes it will just be a unique tournament . That’s fine with me considering the reasons they are trying to do this. With NhL being a gate driven league , I’m not convinced they will have a 20/21 season .

Apparently they are discussing a play-in scenario for some of these teams, 2 out of 3, to get to the final 16. I would guess Flames would be in that bucket (maybe the top 8 are the only ones that are truly "in"). I just hope there are some games after the mini camps to help them get sharp, maybe for seeding purposes.

This season will always have an asterisk. But if you're talking about a 60+ game regular season, followed by a lengthened and expanded playoffs, it seems to me the champion is at least as legitimate than in some of these other shortened seasons the league has held.

In other news, humans find material wealth, power and physical beauty to be attractive qualities in a potential mate. Does that help us get hockey back? Or hurt us. I can't figure it out.

[Toonage]

I don't get the idea that the NHL will cancel next season. Sure, if this season is cancelled then we might have that to discuss. But the fact that they appear to be moving heaven and earth to try and fit this season in says otherwise to me. Why would they go through all of this trouble, work out plan that is safe for players and staff, bring all these players back to North America from around the world, work out a system to broadcast the games etc just to throw all of that infrastructure away next season?

Well we went through hell to get this season in and we have a method to play and compete and broadcast it all, but screw next season? Doesn't make sense.

NHL is a gate driven league. Sure, I get that. But you know whats better than nothing? Something. They still have broadcast contracts to fulfill and livelihoods to support. There might be a change to player contracts, there might be a change to how many people can enter an arena. There might not be as much money to be made but there will still be money to be made. To just throw that away after working so hard to save this season would make no sense to me.

Also I'm glad no one told my wife she could have had someone with wealth, power and good looks. I dodged that bullet.

[The Yen Man]

I don't see any way they cancel next season, but I do see it delayed as much as possible hoping they can get fans back into arena's for as much of the season as possible. So I can see them delaying it till say December or January, and just extending it to June / July. I think given the circumstances, the NHLPA would be on board with that as well.

I think whatever the NFL and MLB have done by then will determine what their steps will be, as those two leagues would be well into their seasons. So whether it's even possible to have fans in arena's will play out with them first.

[Bingo]

So if the rumours are true ...

It's Calgary / Anaheim in a play in best of three if they go 6 teams from each division

and Calgary / Winnipeg if it's 12 Western Conference teams seeded by points %.

[Toonage]

Flames seem to own Anaheim lately so I'm for once not scared of that match up

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Flames seem to own Anaheim lately so I'm for once not scared of that match up

Agreed, the Ducks are well past their best before date. This would be an ideal matchup for us.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So if the rumours are true ...

It's Calgary / Anaheim in a play in best of three if they go 6 teams from each division

and Calgary / Winnipeg if it's 12 Western Conference teams seeded by points %.

Are they suggesting all teams need to go through a play in series? I thought they might exempt say top 2 in the division, then next 4 "play in" for the next two spots.

[Patek23]

We literally had a 48 game season 8 years ago which the Stanley cup was awarded and last I checked there was no asterisk. Why would this be any different? I dont understand some people's logic in how this wouldn't he justified as a legitimate season because we didnt complete the last 6-7 games?

[Igottago]

I heard an interview with Gio on Tim & Sid yesterday and he made a good point. Whatever the structure is, there needs to be some 7 games series involved on the way to the cup. The playoffs need to mostly reflect that long war/grind to the cup in order to legitimize itself to the players. I think he mentioned that he could be okay with a shorter first round but the majority needs to be full series.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

We literally had a 48 game season 8 years ago which the Stanley cup was awarded and last I checked there was no asterisk. Why would this be any different? I dont understand some people's logic in how this wouldn't he justified as a legitimate season because we didnt complete the last 6-7 games?

For me it’s not because they won’t play end of regular season , it’s the 24 team playoff format. That’s 8 extra teams with a chance to win the cup. That’s almost getting into CFL ratio territory on making the playoffs.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

For me it’s not because they won’t play end of regular season , it’s the 24 team playoff format. That’s 8 extra teams with a chance to win the cup. That’s almost getting into CFL ratio territory on making the playoffs.

I mean special times call for special measures. It's an alternative too watching teams who are eliminated give zero effort in front of no crowd for meaningless games to make it to that magical 82 games you require.

I'd much rather watch the teams that had a decent chance of qualifying get a kick at the can in an expanded format. I in no way would feel this cup was "less worthy" if anything I'd respect it more as it's more rounds and more of a grind.

1 playoff game must be the equivalent to 3 regular season games on the body.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I mean special times call for special measures. It's an alternative too watching teams who are eliminated give zero effort in front of no crowd for meaningless games to make it to that magical 82 games you require.

I'd much rather watch the teams that had a decent chance of qualifying get a kick at the can in an expanded format. I in no way would feel this cup was "less worthy" if anything I'd respect it more as it's more rounds and more of a grind...

Right, but I don't think there is any legitimate thought that a team like the Anaheim Ducks had a "decent chance" of qualifying.

[Textcritic]

I tend to think that if anything, playing in front of empty buildings would probably benefit the Flames. The most glaring issue facing this lineup over the past couple years is how prone they have been to in-game emotional swings and tension. In an empty arena the players should theoretically be less distracted by such things.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Right, but I don't think there is any legitimate thought that a team like the Anaheim Ducks had a "decent chance" of qualifying.

If they do go forward with a 24 team play-in/playoff, I can't see them having Anaheim in it. It's more likely they shift Chicago over to play as the 6th team in the Pacific. They would also likely do the same with the Rangers taking the 6th spot in the Atlantic over Buffalo.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

We literally had a 48 game season 8 years ago which the Stanley cup was awarded and last I checked there was no asterisk. Why would this be any different? I dont understand some people's logic in how this wouldn't he justified as a legitimate season because we didnt complete the last 6-7 games?

1. No home ice advantage - that is normally your reward for a good regular season. Higher seeded teams will not get to enjoy this benefit. Lower seeded teams don't have to face the adversity of a hostile building.

2. Long break - Beat-up teams have had a chance to heal. You could say that this is the same for all teams, but it penalizes the teams with depth that were built for a long distance run.

3. No fans in the building? Now it's a reality show, not the Stanley Cup playoffs. The electric atmosphere in the buildings is what makes the playoffs extra special.

4. Teams are rusty - there could be a fluke champion.

5. Match-ups may not be fair if all teams did not play equally balanced schedules.

6. Extra teams in the playoffs that don't deserve a spot.

7. Distracted players that may not want to be playing right now.

8. The ice could be terrible in July and August.


I'm not saying don't play hockey. Just don't award the Stanley Cup for this. Maybe give out the President's Trophy for the winner instead.

What happens when 1-2 players test positive?

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think you don't play the full 82, but still make sure that all teams play the same amount of games. There are two teams with the minimum GP at 68, those are the Islanders and Canes. There are numerous teams with the most amount of GP at 71.

I think the fairest thing to do is either have all teams play games to 75 games or 72 games, whichever is preferred if they want an extra week with games.

[RM14]

Would be a great time for a World Cup