What is your solution to the Pre-season problem?

[domiwroze]

There's a lot of talk in my office, on the radio, on podcasts and most medias about the Preseason problem;

How do you protect your NHL players from injuries and/or cheap shots?

There was a lot of options that people offered but none really stuck with me as a real solution that would benefit the NHL as a whole except maybe two of them but they come with their own problem too.

1st option that made some kind of sense ;

• Minimum of 6 games total.​
• Minimum of 4 games where teams have full control of who they play, at their own risk. The AWAY team must send their line-up first since they are most likely the one to send a C or B club with a bunch of scrubs trying to make a name for themselves.​
• The last 2 pre-season games, you must have your full roster and be cap compliant. Just like the Regular season.​

2nd option ;

• Keep the current format.​
• If there's a player (that doesn't make the official roster) that receives a suspension for a cheapshot, the opposing team can choose which player has to serve the suspension.​
• All suspensions shall be served from game1 of the regular season.​
• Exemple : Pare receives a 3 games suspension, MTL request that the suspension has to be served by Auston Matthews.​
• Arber Xhakej is suspended for 1 game. He's making the team roster so he is suspended for game #1 of the regular season.​

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[vokiel]

Bag of skates everyone's ass until they grow some balls.

 

[Chili]

It's a good question and looking around the league this past week, there has been a long list of players with minor injuries. And it wouldn't surprise me if a number of them are just to avoid playing in these meaningless games.

For the early preseason games, before the major cut downs, non-NHL players are trying to leave an impression. The better players need to be extra aware if they are in the lineup. The road team often resembles an AHL roster.

Some teams don't play their best players until their final preseason games, when rosters have been reduced, and they are playing against close to an NHL team. Believe that may be the wisest deterrent to key injuries, although some will still happen.

 

[dinodebino]

Use the NFL as a model for pre-season: good on good, bad on bad.

 

[GrandBison]

Cap floor from a certain date.

Use the NFL as a model for pre-season: good on good, bad on bad.

Problem is you want your young guys to play NHL level competition.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I'd tweak the criteria for veterans for the last 3 games to reduce garbage players trying to make a name for themselves.

 

[Hacketts]

dress everyone as minions.

 

[dinodebino]

Cap floor from a certain date.


Problem is you want your young guys to play NHL level competition.

What’s the difference in the NFL?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

What’s the difference in the NFL?

They rarely play starters.

NHL needs money. Pre-season games they essentially pay nothing, so NHL owners love that.

 

[ThaDevilGirl]

I'd lower the minimum pre-season games to 5 and screw those split-squad games or Europe showcases. Teams carry too many plugs because of those.

However don't think any solutions will magically prevent injuries. Hockey is a contact sport and injuries are bound to happen.

 

[Naslundforever]

Skip pre-season, cut down on smoking, get the skates sharpened, and slowly get in shape for the playoffs. Cut half the games and half the teams so no more rotating scrubs running the world’s overworked best.

For real not sure what decides what a real roster is though? Game one line-up with retro active fines?

 

[Skip Bayless]

1. Pre-pre-season tournament to showcase rookies against AHL opposition.

2. Bring top 5 rookies and max 4 invites to NHL camp.

3. 5 games tops and out of division/conference opponents

4. Increasing cap floor after each game

5. Get Earl Hebner to ref every game