that team is better than the team in 28th-30th.
- ChetManly

But they still weren't good enough to make the playoffs, and they were most likely trying to. Then they have a chance to get an impact player pushing them over the hump.

I am just saying it seems silly to offer a reward for tanking and then to frown at the thought of rewarding a team who just missed the playoffs and played hard all season.

A more competitive league will result if you say "you have the same chance at the #1 pick whether you finish 17th or 30th.

You honestly believe that NHL players that get paid millions intentionally go out to lose games?
- ChetManly

Well you watched the Maple Leafs on Monday night, what did you think?

Thank you. Why in the hell would an organization purposely suck just for a CHANCE at getting a 1st overall pick. It's not that a team is tanking, it's that they lack the skill to compete against solid teams.
- Streit2ThePoint

I would argue Buffalo's management set themselves up for this season. BUT, every club has gone through the motions of being great, then sucking, then getting better, then sucking again, etc etc. Not every club is going to be a dynasty like the Red Wings.

Look at the oilers, you don't see players selected beyond round 2 making a meaningful impact. That's why they remain where they are.

Well you watched the Maple Leafs on Monday night, what did you think?
- Jordo

no, they just suck.


but, Bernier is not playing well at all, and that is really kicking things down. But, having watched the past however many years of the Oilers, I've seen guys mail it in before the season is even over. It's painful.

But they still weren't good enough to make the playoffs, and they were most likely trying to. Then they have a chance to get an impact player pushing them over the hump.

I am just saying it seems silly to offer a reward for tanking and then to frown at the thought of rewarding a team who just missed the playoffs and played hard all season.

A more competitive league will result if you say "you have the same chance at the #1 pick whether you finish 17th or 30th.
- jl639s

At least eliminate the incentive for placing dead last. It will force GMs to at least make decisions to make their teams competitive.

Look at the oilers, you don't see players selected beyond round 2 making a meaningful impact. That's why they remain where they are.
- martok2309

Gambling!

I would argue Buffalo's management set themselves up for this season. BUT, every club has gone through the motions of being great, then sucking, then getting better, then sucking again, etc etc. Not every club is going to be a dynasty like the Red Wings.
- ChetManly

Right. All teams go through the highs and the lows. It's finding the right group of players and the right coaching staff.

I don't see a need to manipulate it.

I don't even think there should be a lottery. Let teams tank, who cares? Let teams get five first overall picks if they can, again, who cares?


I say draft teams in reverse order with no lottery and no rules against losing on purpose. It seems to make no difference. Let's instead worry about taking dangerous plays out of hockey, having longer suspensions and increasing scoring.

Just my two cents.

Why would they want to make their team tank when they would probably get fired from their job and not even see those first overall players. I feel like them having a job is more important.
- OilersFan1985

Because the current system rewards poopty teams more so than average teams. So if you are an average team it's better to dump players and become a poopty team.

Look at the oilers, you don't see players selected beyond round 2 making a meaningful impact. That's why they remain where they are.
- martok2309

We definitely had terrible scouting for many years and are still feeling the effects of a poorly stocked shelf of prospects

At least eliminate the incentive for placing dead last. It will force GMs to at least make decisions to make their teams competitive.
- Jordo

Should it not be named "Oilers Rule #2"?

have a tournament march madness style ...bottom 8 compete ....3 rounds single elimination winning gets connor ....the tanking teams will lose out cause their roster is too weak and the 14th place team still won't get connor

I think tanking is fun. It creates a race at the bottom to watch in addition to the race at the top.

I would add that you can never have the #1 back to back years - period.

Look at the oilers, you don't see players selected beyond round 2 making a meaningful impact. That's why they remain where they are.
- martok2309

Id say the lack of impactful veterans to shelter the newly drafted players has been a bigger problem.

Because the current system rewards poopty teams more so than average teams. So if you are an average team it's better to dump players and become a poopty team.
- Feds91Stammer

Average teams don't win cups either. And if you're a GM, and you're team is terrible, you'll probably get fired. You'd want to keep your job over everything else or there is no point to doing any of it if you're gone.

Your argument is lame.

We definitely had terrible scouting for many years and are still feeling the effects of a poorly stocked shelf of prospects
- OilersFan1985

Avs are right there with you. Thank goodness for two good trades (Johnson and Varlamov) and a good pick (Barrie)

Average teams don't win cups either. And if you're a GM, and you're team is terrible, you'll probably get fired. You'd want to keep your job over everything else or there is no point to doing any of it if you're gone.

Your argument is lame.
- OilersFan1985

Your argument suggests that 14 gms get fired every year.

Yay! Time for more Edmonton bashing! Excellent!
- ChetManly

It never gets old.....when it's deserved.

Because the current system rewards poopty teams more so than average teams. So if you are an average team it's better to dump players and become a poopty team.
- Feds91Stammer

Case in point- the Toronto Maple Leafs. They've been the perfect amount of mediocre for a million years, and combined it with fairly brutal scouting.

Accordingly, they have never really drafted a player that has worked his way up to being an important component of their team.

It looks like Morgan Reilly may be the first guy since Wendel Clark in 85 to buck that trend....

DB

I would add that you can never have the #1 back to back years - period.
- zkarabat

every 5 years seems steep to me.

FYI - It's not a tank when you add players and your team continues to suck. Lack of 1G or a top 2 Dman sure doesn't help.
- ChetManly

I have said all along Eklund knows nothing about Western Canadian teams, you need to expect that. And no we are not giving you Lack!

A lot of these are true
https://www.youtube.com/w...s5vpeXUo&feature=youtu.be