League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

[zappa4ever]

Another controversial take of mine but I think the play-in tournament in the NBA has worked really well and I would like to see something similar if the NHL expands past 32 teams. I think in general it doesn't really change the race for the last slot too much but also contrary to popular belief makes the regular season mean more as there's a more stark difference between being a six and a seven seed. It would also hopefully give teams more of a reason to stop tanking.

The NHL has also had a 16 team playoff for much, much longer than it has had 32 teams, expansion wouldn't be that unnatural

I'd be totally fine with a play-in for the WC's...
normal Top-3 per division, then

option A)
4 WC's each conference in a best-of-3
WC1 v WC4, WC2 v WC3 -- lowest seeded winner plays higher seed Div winner...
then normal 4 rounds of 7
or
option B)
3 WC's each conf with only WC2+WC3 best-of-3 for the play-in
or
option C)
3 WC's each conf with a 1 game play-in between WC2+WC3

Think I'd prefer B or C (leaning C) to have 18/32 vs 20/32 with the chance

 

[qc14]

How many games in each play-in series? 3 or less seems like too much variance is involved, 5 or more and that puts the play-in teams at a huge disadvantage in terms of total games played

I really like the NBA's double-elimination style one but I agree that hockey has so much more variance it might need to be tweaked a little. I think that having extra games for the play in teams is part of the design. Don't want to be tired/banged up? Win more in the regular season

Would probably do:
7v8 best of 1 for the 7 seed
9v10 best of 1 for the right to play for the 8 seed
loser of 7v8 vs winner of 9v10 in best of 3 for the 8 seed

If you wanted to I also wouldn't be against getting rid of the 7v8 game and just having the 8th seed play the winner of 9v10 in a best of 3 for the last slot.

As a 9 or 10 seed you'd have to win 3 of 4 games to get in so it still rewards finishing higher in the regular season. 7 or 8 and you just cant lose 3 of 4.

 

[Kazer]

I really like the NBA's double-elimination style one but I agree that hockey has so much more variance it might need to be tweaked a little. I think that having extra games for the play in teams is part of the design. Don't want to be tired/banged up? Win more in the regular season

Would probably do:
7v8 best of 1 for the 7 seed
9v10 best of 1 for the right to play for the 8 seed
loser of 7v8 vs winner of 9v10 in best of 3 for the 8 seed

If you wanted to I also wouldn't be against getting rid of the 7v8 game and just having the 8th seed play the winner of 9v10 in a best of 3 for the last slot.

As a 9 or 10 seed you'd have to win 3 of 4 games to get in so it still rewards finishing higher in the regular season. 7 or 8 and you just cant lose 3 of 4.

The other key consideration is allowing the top teams to get a touch of rest without sitting too long. MLB has run into that problem with the three game wild card series. An NBA style playoff would shorten that to two days (which is pretty typical for playoffs.. Caps finished their regular season 4/16 and played their first playoff game 4/21 (regular season actually ended 4/18 but the Caps finished earlier than other teams).

 

[g00n]

Bruins home loss to CBJ last night was their first official non-sellout in over 15 years

And with that they fire the coach

2 years after record season, B's fire Montgomery

The Boston Bruins, off to an 8-9-3 start and currently outside of a playoff seed in the clogged Eastern Conference, fired coach Jim Montgomery, the team announced Tuesday, while elevating associate coach Joe Sacco to interim head coach.

www.espn.com

 

[qc14]

And with that they fire the coach

2 years after record season, B's fire Montgomery

The Boston Bruins, off to an 8-9-3 start and currently outside of a playoff seed in the clogged Eastern Conference, fired coach Jim Montgomery, the team announced Tuesday, while elevating associate coach Joe Sacco to interim head coach.

www.espn.com

BMac continues to just look better and better. Both teams went into the summer with clear questions down the middle and on the blue line after some franchise cornerstones retired -- but with the space to go out and make changes. I know what I'd take between Lindholm/Zadorov and PLD/Roy/Chychrun!

 

[usiel]

BMac continues to just look better and better. Both teams went into the summer with clear questions down the middle and on the blue line after some franchise cornerstones retired -- but with the space to go out and make changes. I know what I'd take between Lindholm/Zadorov and PLD/Roy/Chychrun!

Got to give the new caps GM some credit for this past off season.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Pitt blows a 2-0 lead in the 3rd and now in OT vs the Bolts

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

Pitt blows it in OT and gets a loser point to hurt their lottery chances.

Had Tampa ML in my parlay so... Hate to see

 

[usiel]

doh

 

[Nogatco Rd]

Newest TSN Power Rankings:

Winnipeg Jets knocked off top spot; Ottawa Senators biggest Canadian dropper in NHL Power Ranking | TSN

Fans in Winnipeg may not like the multi-spot drop, but more than just recency bias is at play here. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators take the biggest drop on our list among Canadian teams.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

missed this last night.. this was not on my NHL bingo card

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859440526518255879

 

[Calicaps]

missed this last night.. this was not on my NHL bingo card

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859440526518255879

Nashville is a dumpster fire.

 

[Kalopsia]

missed this last night.. this was not on my NHL bingo card

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859440526518255879

Gotta admit, I had no idea that was a thing that could happen.

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

Gotta admit, I had no idea that was a thing that could happen.

same.. can't recall a time i've ever seen this.

 

[kicksavedave]

missed this last night.. this was not on my NHL bingo card

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859440526518255879

Why is this a penalty and not simply a warning "Hey, get the right guy out there".

 

[chilimac]

Hershey did this in the playoffs.

 

[Blades Ov Steel]

Why is this a penalty and not simply a warning "Hey, get the right guy out there".

Feels like entrapment

 

[swansonsays]

Hershey did this in the playoffs.

Bylsma was the coach who caught Hershey, too. Apparently this is something Disco Dan (or an assistant) watches for on a regular basis.

 

[PlushMinus]

Pens lose to Winnipeg 4-1

Crosby had a fight with Kyle Connor

 

[usiel]

Pens lose to Winnipeg 4-1

Crosby had a fight with Kyle Connor

Having both on my fantasy squad did not hurt that fight, hah.

 

[trick9]

Instigating a fight and the only punch you throw is behind the linesman.

Stay classy.

 

[usiel]

Instigating a fight and the only punch you throw is behind the linesman.

Stay classy.

My first thought was let the little guys fight!