Not only possibly not making the playoffs if they don't finish the regular season and go top 6 in each division, but there's talk of going by point % instead of a draft lottery. I don't know why on earth they wouldn't go points % for making the playoffs instead of having Buff and Anaheim get in with under 70 points. Especially with travel being minimal. I don't know how or why they need to rush the draft ahead of knowing the final standings. Do Buff and Anaheim get both a top 10 pick AND make the playoffs? Crazy. Hopefully they can get in the end of the regular season or at least insure the Rangers get a top 10 pick.
Only the NHL comes up with stupid ideas to have a draft before the season ends (do you see the NBA doing this?). How do you make trades? How do you handle conditional pick deals (like our deal with the Canes)? You cannot have a traditional lottery. The NHL doesn't get it. Things like this help keep it a 2nd rate league in the US. Another example is how ridiculous the expansion process is. The NHL thinks it is good when an expansion team like Vegas makes the SCF in their first year. Regular fans think it makes the league look like a joke to have that happen. Another example is how restrictive the cap is. The NHL thinks it is good to have such a hard cap you simply cannot keep your team together for more than 3 years or so. You lose players year after year. Regular fans think it makes the sport worse, and doesn't allow for you to really build a team. And when you do, you have a 3 or so year window and done. Have a cap, but jesus allow for some flexibility. Another example is the ridiculous playoff format. The NHL thinks it is good that in round 2 the best teams can play. The current system creates a huge imbalance. Regular fans think having a balanced system that would enable the best teams to meet in the CF's is much better for the sport and its growth. The NHL is missing the boat on all of these IMO. It doesn't help the sport grow. It angers regular fans. And it makes people feel that the sport is not up to the standard of a big time professional sports league. Feels like a small mom and pop operation.
Using each team’s points percentage to determine the Order of Selection. (That’s under the current playoff format, so 16 teams would be out of the lottery and 15 would be in.) Changing the lottery format this season only — picking just one winner, and limiting any move-up to a maximum of four spots. For conditional trades, the league would propose solutions. The teams would have seven days to either reform the deal on terms acceptable to both, or accept the NHL’s idea.
I could see the NHL skewing rules to make it easier for an expansion team to be successful, the team still has to win the games and it helps their viewership so the NHL can say it was a good business decision. As a long time hockey fan I have to give credit to NHL leadership today for bringing the sport back from the brink of collapse. When the powers that be decided to totally change the rules and style of the game to accomodate teams with limited talent like the Debbies the repercussions were severe. The clutch and grab nonsense that made the NHL more boring than soccer but created parking lot Cup parades killed the NHL's popularity in Canada and almost led to the demise of the league itself. Cowards like Scot Stevens were lauded for their ability to headhunt with no fear of penalty or retribution since she could hide behind her bodyguard Daneyko. Thankfully the NHL came to their senses and Bettman realized that the game needed to be modernized. I remember most of the long time posters on this board scoffing when Bettman said he was going to get rid of fighting in hockey but what he eliminated was the WWE style 10 minute fandances, fights still happen but they're much quicker. He's also done things to improve the popularity of the NHL internationally and my favorite addition the outdoor rivalry games.
I agree that an expansion team should be given a chance to have a solid base. I also think it is an awful look for a league to have a brand new expansion team make the SCF in their first season. You have all these teams building and working to win, and you setup the system to the point where an expansion team can win at that level day one. It helps the new city gain traction, but it really hurts the credibility of the league I think. There should be a happy medium. You don't have to F an expansion team where they have no shot, agree 100%, but to set the rules to the point where they have is too much. I also think cracking down on fighting and clutching and grabbing was smart. Crap like Stevens, and others, used to pull was terrible and was really hurting the game and league. So yeah they haven't done everything wrong, no doubt. But some of the ideas/rules are too much. The ultra hard cap, a draft in season, and the over the top expansion draft rules are 3 examples I think.
Our commish is a fucking moron and has been for years. He keeps expanding when the league has too many team as it is. Until this dumb fuck is removed, the league will continue to be a joke.
The odds of us moving up in the draft in our spot is also incredibly low. So, if you were waiting for that to happen, good luck.
Now they're saying they may take the top 12 in each conference by points % and do a best of 3 play-in round.
I would totally sign on for that but, would prefer they complete the regular season (0% chance that happens). However, let's not worry too much about it until something is actually made official. I will say that the lack of NHL playoffs right now is infuriating.
Looks like it’s gonna be a 24 team playoff, which if it happens will have us in a 5 game series against Carolina. I like our chances against them if this cones to fruition.
Came here to post the same thing....here is the article from Espen: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id...ague-plan-24-team-playoffs-coronavirus-return
No decision yet on reseeding after the first round but, if this comes to pass I would be stoked regardless...I just need live playoff hockey back STAT.
Honestly, the rest of the Rangers schedule was freakin brutal. I don't think they were getting in. This should be good experience for the kids. I wonder if Lundkvist season is over if they can bring him over. He might already be better than what we have in a couple of spots on D. JD and Gorton need to cut Smith. Nice guy but he fucking sucks. It's time for Lundkvist or Hajek to take his spot.
I actually agree with this. He needs a lot more time to get his crap together and his head together. Kid was pretty messed up. I think it's best for him to be at home, then when they get a vaccine, come back and be a pro instead of a disaster if he's capable.
At this point it would be surprising to me if we ever see Andersson in a Rangers uniform again. I think they'll all try and save face (and trade value) now by saying the right things, but I would expect him to be dealt at the draft. Package Andersson, one of the two 1st round picks we have this year, and a solid prospect (none of the top guys) and add a legit # 2 C who can win faceoffs. You add a legit # 2 C and this team is ready to go. May still be one year away from being a top level team as we get out from under Staal/Hank/Smith's contracts, Shatt's balloon cap hit goes from over 6 next season down to 1.4 and change the following season, and Miller and Lundkvist have a year to grow and mature. But we will be ready to win big real soon if we can get that # 2 guy.
