Does anyone still believe this Stanley Cup deserves an asterisk?

[DJones]

Ya I think this year might actually be harder than normal

[FlamesAddiction]

When people say asterisk, they know it is figurative, right? I get the sense some people think they would engrave an actual asterisk on the Cup.

I think there will be an asterisk in a lot of people's minds.

For me, the lack of continuity between the regular season and the changed up format, really make this different than in past years. Who ever wins, it will always be noted that the usual circumstances were absent.

No travel, diminished home advantages, teams going in healthy and rested. It's a different tournament than was we have had in the past and counted on this year. Also, some teams (like Chicago) sold off expecting to be nowhere near the fight.

But who knows, this format might end up being adopted after this. There was talk about expanding the playoffs for some time and this could be a ste start of something new in that respect.

[Matata]

It's an asterisk because in 40 years people are going to look back and wonder whats up with the ####ed up season and playoffs.


I don't think being an asterisk season degrades the glory of winning the cup.

[1qqaaz]

I can't wait to see what the Wikipedia contributors decide

[AC]

This season absolutely gets an asterisk, in that it's an anomaly and under very unique circumstances.

An asterisk doesn't mean the Stanley Cup winner should be thought of any less though. The lockout shortened seasons also have an asterisk beside them because the season's stand out from the rest in recent history due to unique circumstances. The Devils and Blackhawks still earned their Cups.

[Erick Estrada]

Yes but only if the Oilers, Jets, Canucks, Leafs, or Habs win the cup.

[Geeoff]

I think a lot of people who said this were afraid of the post-season happening, along with other apparent returns to normalcy

[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.

[Firebot]

All Maple Leafs cups were won with 7 or fewer teams in the league (2 with 4 teams).

All Maple Leaf Stanley Cup history should have a giant asterisk on it.

[Jordan!]

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.

This would for sure increase ratings and viewership. Good idea

[AC]

I'm not sure I like the play-in and seeing rounds permanently going forward as is, but could see teams 7-10 doing a mini version to determine who gets to be the true 7 and 8 seeds, before proceeding as normal.

[IamNotKenKing]

No.

[Coach]

Only if Edmonton wins. Then of course, yes.

Otherwise it’s no different than a lockout IMO.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Four rounds of 7 game series. There was never an asterisk for me.

Most teams were 12-13 games short of 82, and the qualifying rounds mean teams ultimately end up playin about 72-ish games. So ultimately, this season means that teams played about 10 less games with a full playoff.

This is the real deal. Does anyone apply an asterisk to the 2013 championship?

Great points and the same question goes for the 1995 championship. The answer to both years in question is no.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Someone noted...

This years winner will have to win 19 games instead of 16 in a playoff style format...

Seems to me that it is harder this year.

No asterisk...

That is not entirely correct. The teams that are playing in the best of five need to win 19 games to win the Stanley Cup. The top eight teams that are playing in the three game round robin for seeding could lose all those games and will move on to the four rounds of playoffs.

[Savvy27]

I don't think there should be any asterisk if that means a player or a coach would not receive equivalent credit as a cup winner. Only sports writers and superfans even care about such a concept anyways and they are always going to remember the unique nature of this season regardless of any official or unofficial footnote.

[PepsiFree]

Yes and no. Things are different this year, obviously, but the significance of winning the Cup and the road to get there is no easier. There should be an asterisk for the season standings and awards (President's trophy, individual scoring titles, etc. because not all teams played the same number of games) but that's about it. Everything in the playoffs is equal. Once you get in, it takes the same effort and skill to win as it takes any other year.

[bluejays]

This is an interesting debate, though to me it's really simple. Part of winning any championship is the grind and injuries and attrition players and teams go through leading to the playoffs where it gets harder. Not having that aspect this year where players are healthy, means they can play hard, but that tired push through is not here this year.


So there is no doubt there is an astericks this year.

[Camronius]

Only if Edmonton wins, all other scenarios are asterisk free.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Everyone is saying it jokingly but if Edmonton does win it legitimately does deserve an asterisk; or Toronto.

They get to play the entire playoffs on their own ice while no one else gets to at all. That is a huge advantage to both teams.