This should really get him fired up then...




- Ogilthorpe2

Pens Blogger Ryan Wilson's latest proposes an interesting twist on playoff formatting, not sure if I like it or not, but at least he's thinking outside the box, so to speak. Interesting read.

Toews' re: should NHL players continue playing in the Olympics ?

"Absolutely. I think it's great for our game."

Indeed...

But with the officiating and only a 5 min OT plus the shootout....Can't say it couldn't happen. Or at least beat the US today.
- Al

Well the Swedes are guaranteed to have another game.

You'd think the Canadians would brush aside Latvia, but a Ted Nolan coached team will work their arses off to stay in the game as best they can, and they already upset the Swiss.

And its hard to say what will happen between the Americans and the Czechs, though I'd think the Americans will outmatch Jagr, Nedved and the senior citizens.

He's not ex, he's the current Soviet leader. And he's a big fan of being shirtless in front of the camera!
- mohel

No - he's the current RUSSIAN leader - no more soviets.

Toews' re: should NHL players continue playing in the Olympics ?

"Absolutely. I think it's great for our game."
- philco28

Great.

Reinstate the Canada Cup, and play that tourney every 4 years in August. Let the kids from juniors or college play in the Olympics.

Olympic hockey against teams full of elite talent is often a great watch...

Two teams full of Jr players not good enough for the NHL and a lot old players....Well I would rather watch the Oil play the Sabres any day of the week.

The players love it but the people paying them hate it.

I loved the World Cup games and that's tough for players to give up a summer month.
- Al

Hi Al....I see a lot of people in general agree with your first sentence....I can't say that I am all too thrilled with Olympic hockey....The players just don't have enough time to jell together in my opinion....I think that there can always be good games, but NHL games are just much funner to watch, and the quality of hockey is better in my opinion...Has anyone watched the KHL?Sm Liiga? Elitserien? These are the 3 best leagues in Europe.....and believe me when I say this, they are not all that great...And people bash an Edmonton vs. Buffalo game...I'll tell you this much, there are more than enough players on Buff and Edm that are better than most Swiss,Austrian,Slovenian,Latvian players....And no tournament whether it Olympic or World Cup or World Championship can compare to the Stanley Cup playoffs....get the NHL outta the Olympics alread

No - he's the current RUSSIAN leader - no more soviets.
- StLBravesFan

Yep.

Pens Blogger Ryan Wilson's latest proposes an interesting twist on playoff formatting, not sure if I like it or not, but at least he's thinking outside the box, so to speak. Interesting read.
- Ogilthorpe2

That would absolutely be insane for the fans, how could you even get tickets to go to the city when you do not even know who you are going to play. How is that any different that the top seed always playing the lowest seed, and so on?

Toews' re: should NHL players continue playing in the Olympics ?

"Absolutely. I think it's great for our game."
- philco28

Shut up Toews!!!!

That would absolutely be insane for the fans, how could you even get tickets to go to the city when you do not even know who you are going to play. How is that any different that the top seed always playing the lowest seed, and so on?
- powerenforcer

...Says the guy selling the idea of the tie +/tie - system.

Honestly, I think the playoff system that the NHL has is just fine. I'm looking forward to a divisional rivalry system for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

...Says the guy selling the idea of the tie +/tie - system.

Honestly, I think the playoff system that the NHL has is just fine. I'm looking forward to a divisional rivalry system for the first two rounds of the playoffs.
- EKolb13

It still is the most clear definition of a tie (based on the 2 point system) there is.

That would absolutely be insane for the fans, how could you even get tickets to go to the city when you do not even know who you are going to play. How is that any different that the top seed always playing the lowest seed, and so on?
- powerenforcer

I'll tell you how it's different...

In 2012 the "reward" the Canucks got for being the #1 seed was to play the #8 seed Kings....by far the hottest team in the league. If they had a choice, do you think they would have chosen to play the Kings in round 1?

It still is the most clear definition of a tie (based on the 2 point system) there is.
- powerenforcer

Okay, whatever you say...

...Says the guy selling the idea of the tie +/tie - system.

Honestly, I think the playoff system that the NHL has is just fine. I'm looking forward to a divisional rivalry system for the first two rounds of the playoffs.
- EKolb13

I think it's fine too, but there's no doubt that seeding on record alone doesn't always give the higher seed the advantage you might expect, and choosing your opponent would add a lot of intrigue to the playoffs. Those decisions would be a boon for sites like this.

I'll tell you how it's different...

In 2012 the "reward" the Canucks got for being the #1 seed was to play the #8 seed Kings....by far the hottest team in the league. If they had a choice, do you think they would have chosen to play the Kings in round 1?



- Ogilthorpe2

Sure, if the 'Nucks could have chosen, I'm sure they would have looked to take on a team that wasn't streaking at the time.

Wouldn't you think that the advantage of having home ice being the #1 seed in the playoffs and facing the lowest seed is more than enough of an advantage?

Why gives top seeded teams the option to pick and choose who they face to give them an even more favorable match up? To me, that would seem like the top seeds are getting even more of an easier pass then they are now.

I think it's fine too, but there's no doubt that seeding on record alone doesn't always give the higher seed the advantage you might expect, and choosing your opponent would add a lot of intrigue to the playoffs. Those decisions would be a boon for sites like this.
- Ogilthorpe2

Big time boon. No doubt there would be very strong opinions flying around. And lookout if your team chooses wrong.

Great.

Reinstate the Canada Cup, and play that tourney every 4 years in August. Let the kids from juniors or college play in the Olympics.
- EKolb13

I agree a lot more with your viewpoint when the Tomahawk are DA CHAMPS.

P.S. NBA players OUT too.

Sure, if the 'Nucks could have chosen, I'm sure they would have looked to take on a team that wasn't streaking at the time.

Wouldn't you think that the advantage of having home ice being the #1 seed in the playoffs and facing the lowest seed is more than enough of an advantage?

Why gives top seeded teams the option to pick and choose who they face to give them an even more favorable match up? To me, that would seem like the top seeds are getting even more of an easier pass then they are now.
- EKolb13

Because, due to injuries, trades, streaks etc., the final standings are not always the best indicator of who the best teams really are, and one could argue the top seed has "earned" the right to an advantage. That's why they play a long regular season.

I'm not saying I'm 100% on board with the idea, but at least it's an original idea. Always fun to discuss "what if".

Because, due to injuries, trades, streaks etc., the final standings are not always the best indicator of who the best teams really are, and one could argue the top seed has "earned" the right to an advantage. That's why they play a long regular season.

I'm not saying I'm 100% on board with the idea, but at least it's an original idea. Always fun to discuss "what if".
- Ogilthorpe2

Eh, I'm not a fan of this idea. It gives too much of an advantage to the top seeds. Anyways, I really love the idea of divisional rivals playing each other in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The idea of playing divisional rivals is also going to fire up the smack talking here on the threads too.

Because, due to injuries, trades, streaks etc., the final standings are not always the best indicator of who the best teams really are, and one could argue the top seed has "earned" the right to an advantage. That's why they play a long regular season.

I'm not saying I'm 100% on board with the idea, but at least it's an original idea. Always fun to discuss "what if".
- Ogilthorpe2

But you would give up a lot of good 1-8 and 2-7 series that, because of the factors you note, are much closer mach-ups than seeding would indicate: one of the great things about the NHL - for whatever reason - is the fact that 8 seeds can beat top seeds.

I'd hate to lose that dynamic.

EDIT TO CORRECT: I know that it's mostly division now - top seeds vs. four seed in each division - same comments apply.

But you would give up a lot of good 1-8 and 2-7 series that, because of the factors you note, are much closer mach-ups than seeding would indicate: one of the great things about the NHL - for whatever reason - is the fact that 8 seeds can beat top seeds.

I'd hate to lose that dynamic.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed.

But you would give up a lot of good 1-8 and 2-7 series that, because of the factors you note, are much closer mach-ups than seeding would indicate: one of the great things about the NHL - for whatever reason - is the fact that 8 seeds can beat top seeds.

I'd hate to lose that dynamic.

EDIT TO CORRECT: I know that it's mostly division now - top seeds vs. four seed in each division - same comments apply.
- StLBravesFan

Also, the 8th seed is open to the team with the most points. For example, if Vancouver is 5th in the Pacific and has more points that Minnesota, who is 4th in the central, then Vancouver would take Minnesota's divisional spot in the playoffs.

Also, the 8th seed is open to the team with the most points. For example, if Vancouver is 5th in the Pacific and has more points that Minnesota, who is 4th in the central, then Vancouver would take Minnesota's divisional spot in the playoffs.
- EKolb13

Im still trying to understand, are you saying that regardless of division, your seed is determined by points? So 1st, 2nd, 3rd seeds could all be from the central? Or no? Just curious

But you would give up a lot of good 1-8 and 2-7 series that, because of the factors you note, are much closer mach-ups than seeding would indicate: one of the great things about the NHL - for whatever reason - is the fact that 8 seeds can beat top seeds.

I'd hate to lose that dynamic.

EDIT TO CORRECT: I know that it's mostly division now - top seeds vs. four seed in each division - same comments apply.
- StLBravesFan

The league wide parody is sufficient enough to ensure there would always be plenty of upsets. Imagine the disrespect that would be felt by let's say a #4 seed that is chosen by the #1 seed as "the weakest link" over seeds 5-8. It would take the pride factor up a notch or two for that team, and I guarantee you there would be upsets. The more I think about it, the more I like it. Logistically it might not be realistic though.