No Plan to Change Playoff Format - Bettman

I'm a cord cutter. I do pay for ESPN Plus, because my team is out of my TV market, so I can get the games that way. A couple games I think have been on Max (which I also pay for, but for reasons unrelated to hockey). Been able to watch every Utah game with those two subscriptions that I can recall, up until Tuesday's game in Edmonton, which was on ESPN, and only ESPN. Considering we got blown out 7-1, maybe that was for the better, but it was annoying that I couldn't watch it with any subscription that you can pay for, being a cord cutter.

Once the playoffs start, unless there's some kind of package out there that I'm unaware of, I'll be completely out of luck. I'd legitimately be willing to pay up to like $200 for some kind of streaming package to watch the playoffs, but is something like that available? Nope, not that I'm aware of. Stupid NHL.
You'll have to hope for Amazon Prime in future contract for next National broadcast deal for the playoff package. They truly have done a great job with the Prime on Monday Night hockey this season. I enjoyed their coverage.
 
I see your ^that, and raise you:

(same schedule format)

1: ANA, LAK, SJS, VGK
2: VAN, SEA, CGY, EDM
3: UTH, COL, DAL, STL
4: WPG, MIN, CHI, NSH
5: DET, TOR, BUF, CBJ
6: BOS, MTL, CAR, OTT
7: PIT, WSH, NJD, PHI
8: NYI, NYR, TBL, FLA
Perfect realignment and I would suggest, 8 games each for Divisional match-up and 2 games for rest of the league with divisional focused type of schedule. All of the sudden, every teams in the league has about the equal travel distance and first round, just 1v2 match-up and Round 2, 1v8, 2v7, etc.
 
I'm a cord cutter. I do pay for ESPN Plus, because my team is out of my TV market, so I can get the games that way. A couple games I think have been on Max (which I also pay for, but for reasons unrelated to hockey). Been able to watch every Utah game with those two subscriptions that I can recall, up until Tuesday's game in Edmonton, which was on ESPN, and only ESPN. Considering we got blown out 7-1, maybe that was for the better, but it was annoying that I couldn't watch it with any subscription that you can pay for, being a cord cutter.

Once the playoffs start, unless there's some kind of package out there that I'm unaware of, I'll be completely out of luck. I'd legitimately be willing to pay up to like $200 for some kind of streaming package to watch the playoffs, but is something like that available? Nope, not that I'm aware of. Stupid NHL.
My friend you must sail the forbidden streams
 
I think they should just change it to 2 conferences. East and West. This is what the NBA and MLS do.

No need for the divisional breakdown anymore with 32 teams and 82 games, where it's required that each team plays each other at least twice. The math just doesn't math, but Gary doesn't get it.
What? The NBA has divisions- they play each other ~4 times a year, and have home and homes with every team in the opposite conference. Like exactly what the NHL does.
 
The format is pathetic.

It rewards those in weak divisions and punishes teams who are not. That's really not how professional sports should work.

1-8 is way better.
 
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The format is pathetic.

It rewards those in weak divisions and punishes teams who are not. That's really not how professional sports should work.

1-8 is way better.
I agree, with the RS so long, it should be some reward to win it or the Conference, excluding home ice.
 
I think the only way it goes back to 1-8 is through bargaining for the next CBA negotiations. If players want it, they'll have to concede something to get it.
 
I see your ^that, and raise you:

(same schedule format)

1: ANA, LAK, SJS, VGK
2: VAN, SEA, CGY, EDM
3: UTH, COL, DAL, STL
4: WPG, MIN, CHI, NSH
5: DET, TOR, BUF, CBJ
6: BOS, MTL, CAR, OTT
7: PIT, WSH, NJD, PHI
8: NYI, NYR, TBL, FLA
Um, why on earth is Carolina with Boston, Montreal and Ottawa?
 
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adding hide avatars option

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