Paul McCann: Monday Morning Rant

I don't have a problem with the playoff seeding either. While it's true that a division winner with less points can get a better seed than a team with more points it's also a fact that they play the teams in their division more than anyone else and they earned that slot.

If we had a completely balanced schedule then I could see the problem, but we don't. Some teams benefit from the division they're in, others are screwed by it. Who knows how many points Vancouver would have if they had to play in a competitive division?

Teemu - I think he'll be back for one more season at least. He spoke with one of the LA area reporters and hinted as much. I hope he does. He's one of the classiest guys in the game.

I dont know if I agree or disagree with you, but at least you tell it like it is.... As a fmr flyers fan im sure you can relate to how frustrated both sides of the state are. If this was a 1 time thing I would understand...but it seems like the Atlantic division always gets screwed by this playoff format. I would argue the Atlantic Division has been the STRONGEST OVERALL division in the last 10 years. Maybe not in terms of number of cups won, but almost always are there 3-4 teams in the playoffs. 3 out of the top 5 teams in the league are in the Atlantic!!!! The only reason they are 1,4,5 in the league is because the rangers swept the flyers.

I feel the teams in the Division are being punished for being good and the other teams are being rewarded just for being in another division! I have always felt this way, even in 2010 when the flyers rode Halak to the finals! Seat by points, divisions should be used to build rivalries for the fans, nothing will be perfect and some teams will have easier regular season games then others (see southeast) but thats life and im ok with that, but don't let it impact the playoffs. Seed based off points, no one will have any right to wine then.

Flyers pens will be the series to watch this year, its just a shame its going to be in the first round rather then the conference finals.

100 percent agree. You want a top 3 seed , then win your division. When the divisions finally get erased for the 4 conference's then we wont have to worry about it anymore. Nash Det and Chi are going to have more points than SJ , PHX or whoever wins that divison. The prize for winning the division is home ice in the 1st round.

Just so you know the capuano 5 defensemen thing was against Ottawa where we lost 5-1

Selanne is just sick and not just for an "old guy". I couldn't have been more happy for him when he won the cup. If there was ever an appropriate time to "hash tag" anything it is now. #Worldclass #Legend #Onemoreyear

I dont know if I agree or disagree with you, but at least you tell it like it is.... As a fmr flyers fan im sure you can relate to how frustrated both sides of the state are. If this was a 1 time thing I would understand...but it seems like the Atlantic division always gets screwed by this playoff format. I would argue the Atlantic Division has been the STRONGEST OVERALL division in the last 10 years. Maybe not in terms of number of cups won, but almost always are there 3-4 teams in the playoffs. 3 out of the top 5 teams in the league are in the Atlantic!!!! The only reason they are 1,4,5 in the league is because the rangers swept the flyers.

I feel the teams in the Division are being punished for being good and the other teams are being rewarded just for being in another division! I have always felt this way, even in 2010 when the flyers rode Halak to the finals! Seat by points, divisions should be used to build rivalries for the fans, nothing will be perfect and some teams will have easier regular season games then others (see southeast) but thats life and im ok with that, but don't let it impact the playoffs. Seed based off points, no one will have any right to wine then.

Flyers pens will be the series to watch this year, its just a shame its going to be in the first round rather then the conference finals.
- flyers4487

You're right. The NHL should change the format of the standings just so Pittsburgh and Philadelphia don't meet in the first round but rather the WCF. Come on dude. That is what makes a Stanley Cup run so special is when you have to face your rival in the first round and you have to battle through it. The Preds are going to face a rival in the first round.
The league goes through cycles where some divisions are stronger than others.
And after watching that game yesterday, I hope they meet in the first round because it is going to be an awesome series.

Selanne is just sick and not just for an "old guy". I couldn't have been more happy for him when he won the cup. If there was ever an appropriate time to "hash tag" anything it is now. #Worldclass #Legend #Onemoreyear
- benderboots

This!

I compare this to the same people that complain about the BCS football system. Everyone demands a tournament or a "+1" system as if that will solve everyone's problems. GMAFB. Pittsburgh and Philly have to play each other some time. The immediate goal is the conference title followed soon after with the Stanley Cup. No reason to kick up dirt for no reason. And for those saying "I agree, but the BCS still sucks" just imagine a 4 team playoff with Boise St. being the undefeated number 5 ranked football team. See how well that system goes over.

You're right. The NHL should change the format of the standings just so Pittsburgh and Philadelphia don't meet in the first round but rather the WCF. Come on dude. That is what makes a Stanley Cup run so special is when you have to face your rival in the first round and you have to battle through it. The Preds are going to face a rival in the first round.
The league goes through cycles where some divisions are stronger than others.
And after watching that game yesterday, I hope they meet in the first round because it is going to be an awesome series.
- benderboots

Clearly you didnt read my entire post.... I dont think a team should get rewarded for playing in a crappy division and a team should get punished for playing in a good one.... Im not crying about it. I mean it sucks but I won't loose sleep over it. I was much more excited at the prospect of the 7,9 team conferences with playoff seeding based off points. IMO the problem out west has never been as bad as out east (until this yr when the pacific division is our southeast), because the east has never been as strong as the west. As I have said before and ill say it again, you shouldnt get rewarded for being in a crappy division with a good playoffs spot. Takes away from the game IMO.

You're right. The NHL should change the format of the standings just so Pittsburgh and Philadelphia don't meet in the first round but rather the WCF. Come on dude. That is what makes a Stanley Cup run so special is when you have to face your rival in the first round and you have to battle through it. The Preds are going to face a rival in the first round.
The league goes through cycles where some divisions are stronger than others.
And after watching that game yesterday, I hope they meet in the first round because it is going to be an awesome series.
- benderboots

Your team also doesn't have 102 points as a 5th seed...

I compare this to the same people that complain about the BCS football system. Everyone demands a tournament or a "+1" system as if that will solve everyone's problems. GMAFB. Pittsburgh and Philly have to play each other some time. The immediate goal is the conference title followed soon after with the Stanley Cup. No reason to kick up dirt for no reason. And for those saying "I agree, but the BCS still sucks" just imagine a 4 team playoff with Boise St. being the undefeated number 5 ranked football team. See how well that system goes over.
- YouAreTheGovt

2 completely different arguments man.

The BCS equivalent would be saying that the Rangers and Canucks should play 1 game for the Cup because they are #1 and #2 in the combined power rankings...

Your team also doesn't have 102 points as a 5th seed...
- flyers4487

Your team doesn't either.

a not so healthy hate..

If you could trust that it would be at least respectful but it isn't. Didn't Schenn throw an elbow at Crosby's head well after the whistle? I'm not picking on Schenn per se but it is the entire lack of respect these guys have for each other that they willingly and knowingly try to injure each other to gain an advantage. Everyone cries that the GM's and the league has to crack down on these guys but honestly short of throwing a guy out for a season nothing is going to change until the players themselves decide this is crazy.

just bugs the crap out of me that the players themselves seem to get a free pass and it's up to the league to stop these guys from trying to kill each other.

random rant over

Clearly you didnt read my entire post.... I dont think a team should get rewarded for playing in a crappy division and a team should get punished for playing in a good one.... Im not crying about it. I mean it sucks but I won't loose sleep over it. I was much more excited at the prospect of the 7,9 team conferences with playoff seeding based off points. IMO the problem out west has never been as bad as out east (until this yr when the pacific division is our southeast), because the east has never been as strong as the west. As I have said before and ill say it again, you shouldnt get rewarded for being in a crappy division with a good playoffs spot. Takes away from the game IMO.
- flyers4487

Clearly you don't appreciate my sarcasm. So the winner of the Southeast is being "rewarded" by playing a team with a better record than them? It sounds like the the Devils (Atlantic) is actually being rewarded for a crappy division and you are mad that you have to play Pittsburgh. And seeds don't matter in the playoffs, that is why they play the games in the first place. Ask Duke and the President trophy winners in years past.

CUP or bust!

WIN or go home!

I'm not happy just to be here!

100 percent agree. You want a top 3 seed , then win your division. When the divisions finally get erased for the 4 conference's then we wont have to worry about it anymore. Nash Det and Chi are going to have more points than SJ , PHX or whoever wins that divison. The prize for winning the division is home ice in the 1st round.
- mrpaulish

So then wouldn't saying a division winner can finish no lower than 4th also provide home ice to all division winners. I have no problem with the way it is now, but could see a system where in our scenario we could be trying to earn 3rd place while the pacific winner would be 4th

So then wouldn't saying a division winner can finish no lower than 4th also provide home ice to all division winners. I have no problem with the way it is now, but could see a system where in our scenario we could be trying to earn 3rd place while the pacific winner would be 4th
- bigpredfan

I think we should introduce delegates and an electoral college.

Wait, wrong thread.

I think we should introduce delegates and an electoral college.

Wait, wrong thread.
- jmayfield

The only time this debate should occur is before the season starts. Any comments from any one on this subject right now are tainted by the effect of the rules on your team.

Your team also doesn't have 102 points as a 5th seed...
- flyers4487

Since '09 Central has sent 4, 3, 3, and 4 teams. Atlantic has sent 4, 3, 3, 4 teams.

Since '09 Central has sent 4, 3, 3, and 4 teams. Atlantic has sent 4, 3, 3, 4 teams.
- HockeyHop

but obviously the Atlantic is the strongest division ... I mean, they are apparently the only teams NBC and the NHL feel we need to see play the national TV game every week [/sarcasm]

More “Old Time Hockey” last night in Milwaukee last night, a bench-clearing brawl erupted in the second period… shades of the Spectrum in the 70’s…

Here it is.

More “Old Time Hockey” last night in Milwaukee last night, a bench-clearing brawl erupted in the second period… shades of the Spectrum in the 70’s…

Here it is.


- EKolb13

Thank you I was looking for this. Pure gong show.

Thank you I was looking for this. Pure gong show.
- benderboots

You're welcome.

- Look up “Ballsy Move” in the dictionary and you may find a picture of Islanders head coach Jack Capuano icing five defensemen for a shift to send a message to his forwards in yesterday’s 6-3 loss to Boston.

HAHA there has been times when I wished trotz had done that