Eklund: Would you Rather: Have a 12.5% chance OR Be in the Final 16 for a Cup?

Poor Red Wings fans. And we still have to wait to see who gets Laffy Taffy. This stuff is rigged.

You're wrong..
I can see multiple teams tanking for #1. Montreal for many reasons. Could you imagine if it's the Rangers?

The whole thing feels dirty and rigged. Why even give it the opportunity? Should have just been the bottom 7, and have a second round for the first 8 teams that are knocked out.

If you're in the play ins you're playing to win. I'm not buying the whole players tanking scenario. The fans might though. Especially Habs fans.

If you're in the play ins you're playing to win. I'm not buying the whole players tanking scenario.
- gergeswillems

If you are in playoffs/ins, win at most 19 of the next 33 games and you have a cup. You hope stronger teams are rusty, slower to adapt.

If you tank, maybe you get a great pick. Maybe that pick pans out. Maybe you get the system in place. Maybe no body gets injured, and then, several years later, maybe you are faced with a situation which is very similar to what you face now.

Not one player will rank for that pick. The guys on the team know that’s one of those jobs.

If you are in playoffs/ins, win at most 19 of the next 33 games and you have a cup. You hope stronger teams are rusty, slower to adapt.

If you tank, maybe you get a great pick. Maybe that pick pans out. Maybe you get the system in place. Maybe no body gets injured, and then, several years later, maybe you are faced with a situation which is very similar to what you face now.
- PT21

Yeah this season more than any other favours the underdog. No one knows what will happen. Players will be playing to win. We've seen huge underdogs make big playoff runs before. Results from earlier in the season can be thrown out the window. This long layoff will affect players differently. Some will thrive while some will struggle.

You're wrong..
I can see multiple teams tanking for #1. Montreal for many reasons. Could you imagine if it's the Rangers?

The whole thing feels dirty and rigged. Why even give it the opportunity? Should have just been the bottom 7, and have a second round for the first 8 teams that are knocked out.
- meduser

12.5% is far from a garantee. Each teams will have the same odds and only one can win.


Ek is right, players don't tank. It's the fans who sometimes want them to and even then. If you pay to see a game, you want a W.

If Montreal doesn't make the playoffs, it's because they are not that good.

Poor Red Wings fans. And we still have to wait to see who gets Laffy Taffy. This stuff is rigged.
- PavohnDatsvares

I don't think this is rigged at all. I think the NHL simply didn't know how to handle the situation properly and made a bad choice. Businesses aren't always going to get it right unfortunately. These are unusual circumstances and things backfired.

Players never tank, ever! Do you think a team’s left wing players want their team to draft #1? Players couldn’t Give a crap about the draft. They’re playing for their livelihood.

Now, coaches & GM’s, that’s a different story.

Will MTL allow Domi to play, given his situation with diabetes which puts him a a very high risk if he gets infected with Covid-19?

Does the coach in a game 5, who suddenly starts incurring several too many men on the ice penalties, trying to tank or just coincidence?

Does a GM who wants to evaluate his AHL prospects and 4th liners by playing them in their top 6, trying to tank or legitimately doing his job?

Does a team preventing a slightly injured star player to play, where in a normal year that player would have played with a broken foot if he had to, tanking or just protecting his asset?

So many little things that a team can do to intentionally lose, without it looking like a tank job...yeah I’m looking at you Yzerman!

But players, whoever they may be or whatever their status on the team is, will always play to win.

If you're in the play ins you're playing to win. I'm not buying the whole players tanking scenario. The fans might though. Especially Habs fans.
- gergeswillems

I agree with this....maybe management might prefer their teams lose for a chance at the pick, but ZERO chance the players would tank. they don't give a poop about a draft pick, they want to win.

this is just a story for the media to spin for ratings and hits

Will the Leafs tank...again to get a chance at the 1st pick?

Players never tank, ever! Do you think a team’s left wing players want their team to draft #1? Players couldn’t Give a crap about the draft. They’re playing for their livelihood.

Now, coaches & GM’s, that’s a different story.

Will MTL allow Domi to play, given his situation with diabetes which puts him a a very high risk if he gets infected with Covid-19?

Does the coach in a game 5, who suddenly starts incurring several too many men on the ice penalties, trying to tank or just coincidence?

Does a GM who wants to evaluate his AHL prospects and 4th liners by playing them in their top 6, trying to tank or legitimately doing his job?

Does a team preventing a slightly injured star player to play, where in a normal year that player would have played with a broken foot if he had to, tanking or just protecting his asset?

So many little things that a team can do to intentionally lose, without it looking like a tank job...yeah I’m looking at you Yzerman!

But players, whoever they may be or whatever their status on the team is, will always play to win.
- Kickabrat

I don't think the coaches would do that either.....the players would see it, and the coach would absolutely lose the room.

Is that consensus that there is a large gap between Laferriere and either Byfield or Stutzle(sp?) or do some feel it's close?

Well let’s look at Toronto, they are going to lose to Columbus then get a shot at picking #1. How nice.

Will the Leafs tank...again to get a chance at the 1st pick?
- islansjet

No.

Will the Leafs tank...again to get a chance at the 1st pick?
- islansjet

I think there are far more cons for the Leafs not making the playoffs than pros. At least in the eyes of the media and management.

Well let’s look at Toronto, they are going to lose to Columbus then get a shot at picking #1. How nice.
- Tee56

I think we will see more than one upset in the play-in round.

I don't think this is rigged at all. I think the NHL simply didn't know how to handle the situation properly and made a bad choice. Businesses aren't always going to get it right unfortunately. These are unusual circumstances and things backfired.

There are many ways to rig, some more dishonest than other. In this case, they knew what they were doing. The NHL is not run by Gary, it is run by a group of people, some way more influential than others. It is far from an even playing field... The playoff format is joke and so it this draft. There will be riots if Pittsburgh gets this pick.

Is that consensus that there is a large gap between Laferriere and either Byfield or Stutzle(sp?) or do some feel it's close?
- Rinosaur

I don't think there's a big gap. Lafreniere is the bonafide #1 pick. But Byfield and Stutzle are both excellent. Lafreniere isn't McDavid, Matthews, Eichel or MacKinnon.

There are many ways to rig, some more dishonest than other. In this case, they knew what they were doing. The NHL is not run by Gary, it is run by a group of people, some way more influential than others. It is far from an even playing field... The playoff format is joke and so it this draft. There will be riots if Pittsburgh gets this pick.
- Douchetacular

Sorry, but I think this is too conspiracy-theory-ish. I do agree if the Pens lose and get the first overall that people (especially Flyer and Ranger fans) will be screaming this is rigged.

I don't think this is dishonest at all. The guys running things aren't some sinister business men all in it for their own agendas. They're trying to make businesses decisions in uncharted waters. It's very easy for us to play Monday Morning Quarterback on this situation, but again, this is brand new territory for all businesses with no real precedent for modern sports. This was trial and error, and they flubbed. That's it.

I don't think there's a big gap. Lafreniere is the bonafide #1 pick. But Byfield and Stutzle are both excellent. Lafreniere isn't McDavid, Matthews, Eichel or MacKinnon.
- gergeswillems

Obviously centers aren't automatically selected #1 every time, but I would think if there isn't a huge gap that there's a possibility Byfield could get selected first. Most teams drafting this high are in need of a #1 Center than a first line winger. Especially if said winger isn't a generational talent.

To answer the question of this blog...

I would much rather the Pens win and get to the playoffs than win the lottery. The window for Sid and Geno is shrinking faster and faster, so I personally want them to have every chance they have to win one more cup.

I don't think there's a big gap. Lafreniere is the bonafide #1 pick. But Byfield and Stutzle are both excellent. Lafreniere isn't McDavid, Matthews, Eichel or MacKinnon.
- gergeswillems

it's hard to compare a LW to a center, but I think he's probably closer to the Matthews/Eichel/MacKinnon level than you think.

I don't think he's close to McDavid, but then again, I don't think anyone in the league really is

I think there's a clear gap between Lafreniere and stutzle/byfield….its not a huge gap, but it's definitely there

I would rather have a new commisioner!!