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

[The Yen Man]

I do like the 24 team format. That first round is essentially an abbreviated end of the regular season to settle the 5-8 seeds in each conference. I think it's probably the best compromise in terms of fairness.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by dino7c

The best part of this whole thing will be when Edmonton is NOT named a host city. The butt hurt will be amazing


Also, not sure why people want this in their cities so bad considering they are not allowed to attend

While it won't likely mean much to the city overall, it will be a boost to the hotels and other businesses that would be servicing the NHL during this.

If they're going have 12 teams in each city to start, between players and staff, each team will probably have close to 60 people (there will also be the officials and other game staff, plus the broadcasters), that adds up to a lot of people who will need hotel rooms and catering and all the other services they'll require.


With this switch to 12 teams in each hub, can Edmonton support it? I don't think they could run the necessary games in only one arena until it's down to 2 series, so they'd need a second rink. Is Northlands still operational? If it's not, what would their second option be? The U of A?

Also, with the potential cross-border issues that could pop-up between now and then, I'll bet they pick the two hub cities in the same country. That means Edmonton's chances are likely tied to Toronto. Given all the options, that wouldn't necessarily be the worst choice. If they did choose Toronto, they'd likely use the AHL arena for the secondary rink, but it would be kind of cool if they could play some games in the rink at the old Gardens.

[dino7c]

They HAVE to re-seed after the play in or this is total BS

Dead and buried team potentially gets an easier matchup in the playoffs

Chicago gets Edmonton and then potentially Dallas? lol wish the Flames had lost more games

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by getbak

While it won't likely mean much to the city overall, it will be a boost to the hotels and other businesses that would be servicing the NHL during this.

If they're going have 12 teams in each city to start, between players and staff, each team will probably have close to 60 people (there will also be the officials and other game staff, plus the broadcasters), that adds up to a lot of people who will need hotel rooms and catering and all the other services they'll require.


With this switch to 12 teams in each hub, can Edmonton support it? I don't think they could run the necessary games in only one arena until it's down to 2 series, so they'd need a second rink. Is Northlands still operational? If it's not, what would their second option be? The U of A?

Also, with the potential cross-border issues that could pop-up between now and then, I'll bet they pick the two hub cities in the same country. That means Edmonton's chances are likely tied to Toronto. Given all the options, that wouldn't necessarily be the worst choice. If they did choose Toronto, they'd likely use the AHL arena for the secondary rink, but it would be kind of cool if they could play some games in the rink at the old Gardens.

West playoffs will be in Vegas IMO...half the league isn't going to Edmonton for two months

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by getbak

While it won't likely mean much to the city overall, it will be a boost to the hotels and other businesses that would be servicing the NHL during this.

If they're going have 12 teams in each city to start, between players and staff, each team will probably have close to 60 people (there will also be the officials and other game staff, plus the broadcasters), that adds up to a lot of people who will need hotel rooms and catering and all the other services they'll require.


With this switch to 12 teams in each hub, can Edmonton support it? I don't think they could run the necessary games in only one arena until it's down to 2 series, so they'd need a second rink. Is Northlands still operational? If it's not, what would their second option be? The U of A?

Also, with the potential cross-border issues that could pop-up between now and then, I'll bet they pick the two hub cities in the same country. That means Edmonton's chances are likely tied to Toronto. Given all the options, that wouldn't necessarily be the worst choice. If they did choose Toronto, they'd likely use the AHL arena for the secondary rink, but it would be kind of cool if they could play some games in the rink at the old Gardens.

This might be a subtle reason to keep the Bracket idea in place. You play 2 games every day at each site.

Something like
Day 1
1:00 Eastern East 1 vs East 8
4:00 Eastern West 1 vs West 8
7:00 Eastern East 4 vs East 5
10:00 Easter West 4 vs West 5
Day 2
1:00 Eastern East 2 vs East 7
4:00 Eastern West 2 vs West 7
7:00 Eastern East 3 vs East 6
10:00 Easter West 3 vs West 6

This way you can keep going thru the first two rounds without any team getting a rest advantage over the other except for winning a series early and set a schedule that doesn't need to change. Maybe push to the later times if there are only 1 game at the host site on any day.

[chummer]

Originally Posted by dino7c

West playoffs will be in Vegas IMO...half the league isn't going to Edmonton for two months

If Canada didn't have the 14 day quarantine rule I think there's a very good chance that would have happened. Still might, who knows.

[jayswin]

nm

[jayswin]

For me the only thing that would ruin the integrity of a Cup win in an altered format would be if there is any covid outbreaks leading to teams moving on due to star players being out on defeated teams. Or just a bunch of players missing significant time.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by dino7c

The best part of this whole thing will be when Edmonton is NOT named a host city. The butt hurt will be amazing


Also, not sure why people want this in their cities so bad considering they are not allowed to attend

As much as it pains me to say it, I most definitely think that if this goes ahead, Edmonton will be named a hub city.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

As much as it pains me to say it, I most definitely think that if this goes ahead, Edmonton will be named a hub city.

The latest plan is only two hubs...Vegas will be the Western hub

[Coach]

Originally Posted by dino7c

The latest plan is only two hubs...Vegas will be the Western hub

Just do the whole tournament there. I feel like that'd be cool.

[Vinny01]

So potentially the top 4 seeds play a round robin and it can change the seeding of those teams as well. Flames-Jets winner would not be a lock to play the Blues.

Personally I think this is a good solution and can’t wait until this is official so we can start to breakdown our series against the Jets

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

As much as it pains me to say it, I most definitely think that if this goes ahead, Edmonton will be named a hub city.

Don't you want that? Bringing money into the Alberta economy should be a good thing and I don't see the Oilers getting any advanatge.

Best scenario possible is the Flames sipping champagne in the Oilers locker room.

[dino7c]

Vegas is 99% one of the two hubs so it's Highly unlikely Edmonton will be the other. Almost certain the other city will be in the East.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They HAVE to re-seed after the play in or this is total BS

Dead and buried team potentially gets an easier matchup in the playoffs

Chicago gets Edmonton and then potentially Dallas? lol wish the Flames had lost more games

God forbid, if Edmonton or some bottom feeder like Chicago or Montreal ends up fluking their way to the Cup because of this, I'm definitely putting a giant Titanic-sized asterisk beside this season.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Vegas is 99% one of the two hubs so it's Highly unlikely Edmonton will be the other. Almost certain the other city will be in the East.

I would bet on Vegas and Toronto myself.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by direwolf

God forbid, if Edmonton or some bottom feeder like Chicago or Montreal ends up fluking their way to the Cup because of this, I'm definitely putting a giant Titanic-sized asterisk beside this season.

Fluking their way through 5 rounds of playoffs? That’s a whole lot of lucky bounces.

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Fluking their way through 5 rounds of playoffs? That’s a whole lot of lucky bounces.

It's happened before.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by chummer

If Canada didn't have the 14 day quarantine rule I think there's a very good chance that would have happened. Still might, who knows.

Ryan Rishaug did a piece yesterday? Basically saying that a teams quarantine plan could include team practices. Other then practicing, living in a bubble as they will be doing goes right along with any other travellers self isolation guidelines: Pre arranged transportation, plans for food, medicines, further health monitoring (temperature checks), etc...

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by keratosis

It's happened before.

Are you pulling my leg?