Should the NHL keep the rivalry schedule for the future of NHL schedules over an 82 game season?

[mas0764]

Boring late night games against west coast opponents are far less than forced rivalries.

I agree; the Rangers playing in Calgary is like, barely watchable. There is no energy in the building at all, and hardly much more on the ice.

I wouldn’t want to go to division-only play, but those west coast 10 pm games seem to mean so little to anyone.

I don’t know that forcing a rivalry between Arizona and Anaheim by having them play 8 times a year is the answer, but there has to be a way to get those western teams and their fans more invested in inter-division games since they clearly have no interest in the eastern conference games.

 

[mas0764]

I think they should just give the home teams more leeway. Let them submit a "schedule" before the season of what games they will white for and what ones they want their opponents to wear white.

That’s what the NFL does. Teams pick in advance of the season and I think in 8 game blocks.

 

[Rempe73]

Some good arguments can be made for either option, but no. I like the Western conference matchups. Less predictable games for some reason.

 

[Ruggs225]

6 divisional
3 conference
1 west

You still get to see the other conference for those who care, and u also get less 10:30starts.

2 games against most west coast teams are brutally boring.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

I'd want to see them play the Preds once a year - it's the only time I get to see them live.

 

[Harbour Dog]

I'd want to see them play the Preds once a year - it's the only time I get to see them live.

It's the same for me with Edmonton.

 

[patnyrnyg]

Would prefer to only play the West teams once per year. Alternate home team each year. Have more games with the division teams.

 

[GunkWinger]

Me: "We're playing Manchester Untied."

So do they only win or lose?

 

[patnyrnyg]

6 divisional
3 conference
1 west

You still get to see the other conference for those who care, and u also get less 10:30starts.

2 games against most west coast teams are brutally boring.

Agreed. 42+24+16, does give us the 82 games. I get it that Rangers fans who live in a Western conference city would disagree. But league can't base things on pleasing a few Rangers fans in Arizona.

 

[nyrmetros]

sorry but this is a terrible analogy for most americans...a soccer game is as important to you as christmas, does that mean you are jewish and don't care about christmas? LOL

Soccer is more important.

 

[Baby Punisher]

I like the unbalanced schedule. What would you rather see in the middle of the week on some God awful cold late January night, a forgetful game against some Western conference team where the Garden is so quiet you can hear the players talk on the bench, or a game against a division rival that gets the building amped up and so loud you can't hear yourself think with real-world consequences. I choose the latter every time.

 

[Baby Punisher]

6 divisional
3 conference
1 west

You still get to see the other conference for those who care, and u also get less 10:30starts.

2 games against most west coast teams are brutally boring.

I agree 100%.