[News] NHL to have bye weeks next season

[blankall]

As long as it doesn't occur in the middle of my fantasy hockey playoffs.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

Put me in the camp that would rather see this week be simultaneous for all the teams. Only way to keep it fair. Christmas break sounds right,

Good luck convincing the NHL to shutdown the league for 5 days though. Having it staggered among teams ensures there's still NHL games throughout the season.

[browna]

There will definitely have to be some team strategy depending on when teams get their bye week.

Doing it by entire division makes some sense.

Firstly, there will be an all star break in there, additionally, one presumes.
Secondly, the trade deadline is usually the first week or March. Having a week off and watching your competition if you are a bubble playoff team, to determine if you are going to buy or sell can be good or bad.

Same thing with targeted trade players; they may be sitting for a week just before the trade deadline, again,for better or worse for the trading team or acquiring teams interested.

I'd sort of think you'd want it as late as possible, as opposed to early Jan. With coming off a small Christmas break and a all star game rest ahead, early Jan wouldn't be great and may be too rested and rusty.I'd think teams would want the rest as soon as possible just before the usually very busy month of March to a playoff run.

Thus, I'd think there will be a lot of behind the scenes politics between teams and the NHL and schedule maker as to when they get their bye.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

As long as it doesn't extend the season i think it's great but man if this thing goes into July that's ridiculous. Season is long enough.

The NHL has made it very clear that they don't want games extending into July.

...Which pretty much just means the season will start at the end of September.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Honestly would be fine with an earlier start earlier end season even regardless of this.

There are already 4-5 day breaks for each team each season. They're just putting them in a particular part of the season now. It does make things very challenging for the scheduler.

[Johnny Rotten]

They won't do this( money), but I'd like them to skip the bye week, and just get rid of the all star game.