Does anyone still believe this Stanley Cup deserves an asterisk?

[N-E-B]

No. I don’t consider 2013 to be illegitimate and they played less games. No asterisk at all.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

No asterisk, as it could be legitimately harder, but it is obviously an unusual year. Not just the number of games, but I don't think anyone mentioned the lack of home ice. Given the play-in round and lack of continuity and home ice, I do think there is a higher likelihood of a lower seed winning it all. It is still legit, but I think it fair to note, "that was the weird Covid year".

[Buff]

The only asterisks would be for future generations to remember what year was the Covid year. Or to remember what year had an extra round... Or the first year of the extra round.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

No. I don’t consider 2013 to be illegitimate and they played less games. No asterisk at all.

Yes and as I mentioned in an earlier post, 1995 does not need an asterisk either. Both lockout shortened seasons had a 48 game schedule prior to the playoffs.

[JohnnyB]

Nm

[FireGilbert]

The overall playoff needs an asterisk just to explain the context of the changed format and play in round. Still a legitimate playoff though and the Cup winner will be no different than other seasons.

You could put an asterisk if someone sets a playoff scoring record in more game like MLB did with Maris but the NHL hasn’t done anything like this in the past and no one is breaking Gretzky’s 47 points anyways.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The only asterisk is that if the Flames win the cup, there won't (or at least shouldn't) be a red mile

If the Flames win the cup, there will definitely be a red mile

[UpperLoge]

I see it as a different kind of difficult. There's challenges to being isolated and sequestered for the duration of the tournament, but on the other hand, there should be an incredible amount of strain on the body that is relieved by not having to travel and be in a different hotel and time zone night after night after night. As we get deeper in and there are fewer games per day as teams are eliminated, there will be a very set schedule. That should be easier for the creatures of habit.

[Yrebmi]

Y E S.

This is absolutely an asterisk cup no matter who wins.

[Flamenspiel]

Well..., it depends who wins it!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by dammage79

No asterix.

Aw, come on.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

This is a legit post-season. I actually like the added play in and seeding rounds. I would not mind at all if they kept this format with a shorter regular season in future.

They could also have a tournament to help determine the draft order. Reward teams for trying to win that just aren't good enough by giving them a chance to improve their draft spot by winning a tournament. I'm not suggesting the draft order be based solely on the tournament, but rather in conjunction with the current system.

[btimbit]

Not for me, no different than any of the lockout shortened seasons

[Sylvanfan]

I think it would largely because of when the tournament was held, and that it was done in hub cities without much travel once the tournament began.

The team who win's is still a worthy Champion and deserve to get their name on the cup and the like. But I do think it should be recognized that what happened in the 2019-2020 Season was unique and it resulted in a different format to determine a champion.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Definite asterix and anyone participating in the extra "playoff games" should have an asterix beside their playoff points for life as well.

[JohnnyB]

Hub cities are the only real asterisk worthy factor here, and only really worthy if either Edmonton or Toronto win the cup. Neither will win, so whichever team makes it through to a cup victory from this format will absolutely have earned it fairly.

This is way better than the usual final games to end the regular season. It is so much better.

[daredevil]

This will be the first time that all travel will be considered equal. No extra benefit for the eastern teams who can stay inside their time zones.

[sketchyt]

For me, one of the charms of the playoffs is having these guys complete a grueling 82 game season and then have to drag their beat up bodies to finish their main goal. Typically, the team that wins is the team that has an insane intensity to win and the ability to play through pain. You see that through a normal playoff run and it's an amazing thing.

They're legitimately awarding the Stanley Cup at the end of this, so putting an asterisk beside the win in the record books is kind of BS. However, the game is missing what I outlined above. I guess it's kind of a invisible asterisk in my mind.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

For me, one of the charms of the playoffs is having these guys complete a grueling 82 game season and then have to drag their beat up bodies to finish their main goal. Typically, the team that wins is the team that has an insane intensity to win and the ability to play through pain. You see that through a normal playoff run and it's an amazing thing.

They're legitimately awarding the Stanley Cup at the end of this, so putting an asterisk beside the win in the record books is kind of BS. However, the game is missing what I outlined above. I guess it's kind of a invisible asterisk in my mind.

The Winnipeg Jets have entered the chat.

[Wastedyouth]

Yes, unless the Flames win, then no.