Yeah, I really doubt that there will be a full season if they start so late and I think it is foolish to even try, especially since Bettman said he wants hockey to get back on its normal schedule. Plus this plan is not taking into account how likely a second wave of Covid is. If they want to get back on the old schedule they should be planning for a maximum of 60 games with the ability to go fewer if and when things go to shit.
If Covid gets under control, I think so many people are going to be so eager to get outside and do things that playoff hockey that runs deep into summer won’t be a ratings machine. Even in a normal season, running into mid June is pushing it a bit.
Does everyone agree with me that there’s no asterisk needed next to the Stars or Lightening when one of the wins the Cup?
I have some serious problems with MLB, but the NHL handled this exceptionally and whoever wins the Cup is a legitimate champion in my eyes
Good question that I’m still tossing around.
I’d say it doesn’t require an asterisk. There’s been enough changes to the requirements to get into the playoffs (and the playoffs themselves) over the years, that I don’t think the regular season being shortened matters. The team that wins it went through the same elimination process that all of the modern winners went through, after all.
And the non bubble teams stunk up the regular season enough to stay on the couch with their chips and beer.
Even the true bubble teams got the play-in opportunity. The ones who didn’t even get that have no right to complain.
I’m still a bit upset that with the opportunity to try a whole lot of different things, the NHL didn’t.
Such as? I’m still a crank about the OT rules
I’m sure I’ve mentioned more than once that I would love to change a best of 7 series to a 4 game total goal series.
Never seen such a proposition. So, if I got this right - the team with the most goals after four games wins, even if that team won maybe two (or even just one) of those four games?
ETA:
Hm, definitely hit the “reply” button on this (for you, Ike), but not seeing the reply arrow with your avatar in the top right corner of my post.
Yeah, that is the idea. Now, I am not creative enough to have come up with that on my own, I just don’t remember where I got the concept.
The way I imagine it, is that the format encourages scoring over stifling defence. A best of seven series is only guaranteed to have four games, so 4 games seems ideal as each team would get two home games. Also, I wouldn’t do it for the finals, maybe the first 2 rounds or only the first. Again, this would have been the perfect time to test something.
For all you reams of Lightning fans out there - Cup number two.
Yes, congrats to the Lightning! So much talent on that team – the GM who put all that together definitely deserves some of the credit.
I’m sad the Stars lost but clearly Tampa Bay was the better team. Congratulations to the Lightning. And the Stars can hold their heads high, nobody gave them a chance- they were the underdogs in 3 of the 4 rounds.
Yeah, as a Stars fan, the only thing about that outcome that makes me sad is we don’t have a game 7 tonight. We did well, even if we didn’t win. Congrats, Tampa!
Big blow for the Capitals as Lundqvist won’t be able to play due to a heart condition.
Wish him the best.
Holtby wasn’t going to stick around around regardless but now the Caps are gonna need to search for a backup netminder and they’ll need a good one, IMHO. I’m not sold on Samsonov.
I don’t know why he doesn’t just retire. Why risk it?
I assume something with the contract or salary cap?
See if the Caps benefit, then, from the acquisition of 43 y.o. Zdeno Chara for $750,000 for one year. I didn’t notice him lagging much last season - his 12th with the Bruins and 23rd in the NHL - with a respectable +26 plus/minus. I think Washington got a good deal, and he’s still in impressive shape, sorta like that other old coot, Jagr, who’s now 48 and in his sixth pro season in his home country.