https://twitter.com/i/status/1210784339409035265

For you football fans
- VANTEL

that’s pretty good.

Hi Bloated,

And thanks to everyone else for chiming in on this topic.

I wrote a piece last spring about how I think the NHL's playoff format is just fine.

https://www.forbes.com/si...yoff-format/#33dc4b9b1d12

I started writing a big reply to this, talking about the differences in attendance trends across the major North American leagues (NHL is doing relatively well, comparatively), ticketing, big-screen TVs, and demographic shifts.

Then, I realized this is probably enough fodder for an article. So most of it has been pasted into my Drafts folder, where I can check numbers and do more research.

Simply put, I'll say that when I first saw the headline of that "Eliminate the Playoffs" article, I clicked past it - I think that's oversimplified and won't really address the issues the writer brings up.. After going back to read it at your suggestion, I didn't change my mind.

I like the way the NHL format is currently structured - and we've got a tighter race than ever this year, which gives tremendous importance to regular-season games. There's a reason why I give you detailed updates on the standings in nearly ever blog - and it's December!

Best-case scenario if they want to do a mid-season tournament, it's the Olympics.

I will keep you posted when I finish thinking this through!!
- Carol Schram

Thanks as always Carol. I understand it will not happen but I’ve felt the regular season is broken in most pro sports and something has to be done to fix it.

I think this whole “second season” is horse poop. As a Canuck season ticket holder for many years it was becoming obvious that I was wasting my money.

Instead of in-season gimmicks to make the regular season significant, just make it the only thing that matters. Essentially the entire season is one big playoff push.

Thanks for the link and looking forward to your full take!

Thanks as always Carol. I understand it will not happen but I’ve felt the regular season is broken in most pro sports and something has to be done to fix it.

I think this whole “second season” is horse poop. As a Canuck season ticket holder for many years it was becoming obvious that I was wasting my money.

Instead of in-season gimmicks to make the regular season significant, just make it the only thing that matters. Essentially the entire season is one big playoff push.

Thanks for the link and looking forward to your full take!
- bloatedmosquito

For an abrasive government employee that was a very well written respectful response

Big mid-season game against the flickers tonight, gotta stomp on their throats, God I despise that team. Have to record it though as I’ll be watching the Hawks game.

Go Hawks!!!!!!

Roughly half the league, has a goalie in his 30's, including Bostonx2, TML, Dallas, Florida, Washington, Vegas, Carolina, Minnesotax2, Nashville, NYR, Montreal, LA, and NYI.
Some pretty decent teams on that list, I am not concerned about a 30 year old goalie, as they tend to be solid into mid-30's.
I do get your point though. Having a potential good young goalie, exposed to expansion, is not a good situation for any team, nor is it a good situation to have a goalie in his prime, like Matkstrom, exposed.
1 of them will have to be moved and Benning will have to evaluate that over the next 3-15 months.
- Reubenkincade

All he has to do is make a trade with Seattle. Send them a player, or a draft pick not to take a goalie. Problem solved.

You guys have no imagination.

Also, this is probably Markstroms last contract. He is going to want $6+ and 5 years IMO.

The more I watch Pod the more I like his game. Simple things like that last play rushing to the fight to help his team mates.

All he has to do is make a trade with Seattle. Send them a player, or a draft pick not to take a goalie. Problem solved.

You guys have no imagination.

Also, this is probably Markstroms last contract. He is going to want $6+ and 5 years IMO.
- 1970vintage

One things for sure, Benning will get schooled somehow someway.

Thanks as always Carol. I understand it will not happen but I’ve felt the regular season is broken in most pro sports and something has to be done to fix it.

I think this whole “second season” is horse poop. As a Canuck season ticket holder for many years it was becoming obvious that I was wasting my money.

Instead of in-season gimmicks to make the regular season significant, just make it the only thing that matters. Essentially the entire season is one big playoff push.

Thanks for the link and looking forward to your full take!
- bloatedmosquito

Memorial Cup like? 4 division winners in a round robin tournament and then a final between the top 2?

One things for sure, Benning will get schooled somehow someway.
- Pacificgem

I don’t disagree, just too many people worried about the expansion draft.

For an abrasive government employee that was a very well written respectful response
- Pacificgem

lol.

As a government employee who works in construction, I have to wear many hats every day.

I can put on a tie and wow the suits in the boardroom but I can also put on a pair of boots and hang with the hard hats on-site.

It’s a skill that’s taken me a long time to master but it’s been invaluable. Couldn’t have lasted so long without it.

Memorial Cup like? 4 division winners in a round robin tournament and then a final between the top 2?
- 1970vintage

Should be 1 vs 8 in each conference. We get that for the most part, but it’s not cut and dried.

One things for sure, Benning will get schooled somehow someway.
- Pacificgem

Last time we gave up Sbisa . I think Benning was one of the few GMs that walked away with his shoe polished dyed hair and dignity still in tact. You can't say that for a lot of the others

Last time we gave up Sbisa . I think Benning was one of the few GMs that walked away with his shoe polished dyed hair and dignity still in tact. You can't say that for a lot of the others
- VANTEL

Because all we had was garbage, nobody wanted our garbage....context.

Should be 1 vs 8 in each conference. We get that for the most part, but it’s not cut and dried.
- Pacificgem

Every team makes the playoffs?

The more I watch Pod the more I like his game. Simple things like that last play rushing to the fight to help his team mates.
- VANTEL

What about that pass from behind the net on the PP to Morozov that he missed entirely. His stat should be double if he had players that could finish around him. He's going to be a 19 year old in the juniors next season as well. That's crazy.

Because all we had was garbage, nobody wanted our garbage....context.
- Pacificgem

Is that the same garbage people here want us to trade for a second?

lol.

As a government employee who works in construction, I have to wear many hats every day.

I can put on a tie and wow the suits in the boardroom but I can also put on a pair of boots and hang with the hard hats on-site.

It’s a skill that’s taken me a long time to master but it’s been invaluable. Couldn’t have lasted so long without it.
- bloatedmosquito

Agree, valuable to see multiple facets of your work scope.

Memorial Cup like? 4 division winners in a round robin tournament and then a final between the top 2?
- 1970vintage

What about the best team after regular season wins the cup? Unrealistic I know but interesting non the less.

I wonder how that would change how the sport is managed, coached, and played...

What about that pass from behind the net on the PP to Morozov that he missed entirely. His stat should be double if he had players that could finish around him. He's going to be a 19 year old in the juniors next season as well. That's crazy.
- manvanfan

I really like him. He is a guy that will get you the puck and he will be tough.

Is that the same garbage people here want us to trade for a second?
- VANTEL

I don’t know but after we protected our allotted guys there wasn’t much left to pick from. That falls on Gillis moreso than Benning.

What about the best team after regular season wins the cup? Unrealistic I know but interesting non the less.

I wonder how that would change how the sport is managed, coached, and played...
- bloatedmosquito

Owners would be throwing away millions and would lose two months of hockey. Not interested at all.

Every team makes the playoffs?
- VANTEL

There’s 15 teams in one conference and 16 in the other, you might want to check your math on that #1vs8

Owners would be throwing away millions and would lose two months of hockey. Not interested at all.
- VANTEL

What about the best team after regular season wins the cup? Unrealistic I know but interesting non the less.

I wonder how that would change how the sport is managed, coached, and played...
- bloatedmosquito

You are going to extend the season by 20 more games for each team? The players might want to kill you.

People say I am Benning anyways


There are two ways you cn go with this but now that Markstrom has finally figured out to be a number one I will gladly take that for the next 4 years.

I remember watching Demko last year and thought he may never be a starter . He started off good this year in fact solid but he is going back to some bad habits.
- VANTEL

It’s just the fanboys that like a Demko. He isn’t special and should be traded (if there is a market)