Sean Maloughney: Thoughts on an All Canadian Division

That's one way of assuring a Canadien team gets to the conference final!!

really looking forward to this

I like it. Although it Bout guarantees ottawa I'd last in their division with no Detroit.

If we recall a few years ago, after the lock-out, when the league tried had teams complete half of the games against their own division. This had a negative impact on the league's relaunch as fans quickly tired of seeing the same teams repeated. This will likely recur if there is an all Canadian division.

I also wonder how VAN fans on the west coast will feel about the proposed 5 pm start time for half of the home games?

I dunno, it sounds fine with a couple exceptions:

In a 48 game schedule it would mean each team plays each other 8 times over the season. If the season is longer.... will it be too much? It might create some real East-West animosity but if say, Winnipeg is getting stomped every game by Edmonton will anyone care to watch it?

If we are able to get an 82 game season then each team plays each other 13.5 times! How many times do you wanna watch Calgary and Edmonton go at it? Or better still say, Calgary and Ottawa?

I think while it would hold some interest, the more games played against a small group, the less interesting it will be to watch.

If we recall a few years ago, after the lock-out, when the league tried had teams complete half of the games against their own division. This had a negative impact on the league's relaunch as fans quickly tired of seeing the same teams repeated. This will likely recur if there is an all Canadian division.

I also wonder how VAN fans on the west coast will feel about the proposed 5 pm start time for half of the home games?
- Jackie Daytona

You had the same thoughts, and as a west coast viewer, early games are balls. But it is nice to get highlights before 10 so there is that.

I have the complete opposite opinion on the early starts. I grew up as a Leafs fan in SW Ontario, but I have lived in Victoria for 15 years. I absolutely love the 4pm starts. I'm home early enough to catch them, but even If I wasn't, a PVR is an easy thing for most people to have, and if you want to start your recording at 7 you can skip all the commercials.

As for a Canadian division, I wasn't a fan of the 8 games vs division rivals format, but I would love to see more than 2 games vs the Canucks each year.

As much as it would be cool to see a Canadian division, and the idea is understandable considering the circumstances, its a terrible year for the teams for this to happen. Every Canadian team just made great moves in the offseason, they all have some of the games most exciting young players, and all but Ottawa are potential, if not probable playoff teams in their regular divisions. This is the first time in a long, long time that is the case and all of them being in the same division would mean some of them probably finish lower than they would in the normal structure and would have to eliminate each other in the playoffs. It would be great for rivalries but not great for the potential to see a higher number of Canadian teams do better.

If we recall a few years ago, after the lock-out, when the league tried had teams complete half of the games against their own division. This had a negative impact on the league's relaunch as fans quickly tired of seeing the same teams repeated. This will likely recur if there is an all Canadian division.

I also wonder how VAN fans on the west coast will feel about the proposed 5 pm start time for half of the home games?
- Jackie Daytona

Well during these poopty COVID times, it's either you want hockey or don't want hockey. No sense getting too picky over start times. I'm a Leaf fan living in AB for 20 years. Most leaf games start at 5PM in Mountain time zone so I rarely ever catch the 1st 2 periods due to the time I get home from work. I just deal with it!

Well during these poopty COVID times, it's either you want hockey or don't want hockey. No sense getting too picky over start times. I'm a Leaf fan living in AB for 20 years. Most leaf games start at 5PM in Mountain time zone so I rarely ever catch the 1st 2 periods due to the time I get home from work. I just deal with it!
- NewfieStud

A Newfie in Alberta? I don't believe you
I'm kidding, I think half of my small town is from the rock

I think the Canadian team division will get killer TV ratings, and nobody will give a poop about hockey in USA.

hated it at first..BUT if all the travel is within Canada the major airlines can start hiring back some staff, the cities all gain, and the money stays here in Canada the teams will also save paying their costs in canadian dollars. Besides Tor against Edm, Calgary and Van all in the same week heck add Winterpeg make it a true road trip from hell

I can see a Canadian division with 7 teams and three realigned USA divisions (east central west?) with 8 teams each. I'm sure there are ways to work out a 40-50 game shortened schedule from January to April, with playoffs completed in mid July prior to start of the summer Olympics. NBC wouldn't want a scheduling conflict with the playoffs and Olympics occurring at the same time.

I think if done well it could be very good. If not done well I would still approve since it's the best way we can get hockey asap. Snow on the ground and no hockey suuuuucks.

Baseball does 4 game series against one team in a row? I always thought a 4 game regular season series would be fun in hockey. Certainly should promote more of a rivalry and make cosching/adjustments more important.

Players would be fresher and travel less a factor if they did 3/4 game series at each location.

Not a fan of the travel, and the time zones. The other divisions will have an upper hand, being more rested.

Definitely the most boring hockey division ever...i say go for it!

Canucks were only Canadian team to win season series vs Oilers last season on tie breakers and Regulation wins and plus minus as were better 5 on 5 head to head. If not for Markstom and Boeser injuries final month of season would have entered play-in round as higher seed most likely. They'll probably be Oilers greatest competition next season aswell.

Jets ,Oilers ,Flames ,Canucks ,Leafs , Canadiens , Ottawa.
Blues ,.Colorado , Stars , Wild
Vegas , Ariz ,Ducks ,Kings ,Sharks
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Bruins , Blue Jackets , Red wings , Pitts , Chicago
Buffalo , Isles ,Rangers ,Devils
Caps , Nashville ,Lightning ,Florida , Hurcs

Canucks were only Canadian team to win season series vs Oilers last season on tie breakers and Regulation wins and plus minus as were better 5 on 5 head to head. If not for Markstom and Boeser injuries final month of season would have entered play-in round as higher seed most likely. They'll probably be Oilers greatest competition next season aswell.
- Puck Possession

Goaltending will be the key. Markstrom was named team MVP over Pettersson and Hughes for a reason. Ian Clark is a highly respected goalie coach so hopefully he can help Holtby rebound and/or get Demko to establish himself as a legit #1 goalie in the NHL.

Depth is still an issue though, the forward group starts to look weak as hell after Pettersson, Horvat, Boeser and Miller.

Same with defense after Hughes, Schmidt and Edler.

Goaltending will be the key. Markstrom was named team MVP over Pettersson and Hughes for a reason. Ian Clark is a highly respected goalie coach so hopefully he can help Holtby rebound and/or get Demko to establish himself as a legit #1 goalie in the NHL.

Depth is still an issue though, the forward group starts to look weak as hell after Pettersson, Horvat, Boeser and Miller.

Same with defense after Hughes, Schmidt and Edler.
- Nucker101

Yeah, Holtby's numbers certainly dipped after Korn went to the Islanders. Wouldn't be surprised if he could bounceback.

Garbage Idea ! How long ago was it when 0 canadian teams made the playoff! Leave it as it is . When you are good enough you will win . NO Gifts

All Canadian division is bullpoop. Rather see an all Pacific division instead.

Make the Canucks play in USA if nothing worked out on the border and letting players across.

It doesn’t matter. At all.

Extending Kris Russell... fml