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?

edit - ah yes cap floor

 

[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

 

[Milhouse40]

Pretty simple.

1- Extend the rookie tournament and add teams.
2- Pre-season is for NHLer or very close to be NHLer, that's it. For example, in Habs camp Hutson would be there but not Reinbacher. Kapanen would be there but Beck would not.
3- Just 3 Pre-season games.

I know for a lot, the pre-season is ''to see'' where the player is at but it's a terrible place to evaluate as those games don't mean the same thing for each player on the ice. We didn't need to see Caufield one game in pre-season before he entered the NHL.....same for Hutson.....

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

dress everyone as minions.

This.

This is the right answer.

 

[River Meadow]

Just in case no one else has already said it:

dress everyone as minions

dress everyone as minions.

Damnit

 

[the valiant effort]

Losing great players like Doughty and Laine is awful. We all have to recognize the human aspect of the punishing marathon for these players that is the NHL season.

On the other hand: shut up and deke.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

preseason shouldnt have 50 players

should have maximum 5 forwards rookie 4 def rookies and 2 goalies rookie and thats it for like 4 games and season start.

Players like Condotta are waste of space and time

 

[Gravity]

I actually don't have an issue with the preseason as it is. I think it is quite fine and allows for youngsters to effectively showcase themselves.

I hate the Laine and Reinbacher injuries but they are unfortunate/unlucky outcomes. I don't think the model itself is flawed.

 

[dinodebino]

They rarely play starters.

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

Half of the game, best on best. I just hate this formula of best vs bad. It’s a recipe for disasters such as this last one.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Only book back to back games, home and home series, and have it required that the number of NHL players dressed on each side are equal, not a minimum number of NHL contracted players.

Same skin in the game for both teams.

 

[Hins77]

At the beginning of the camp, I had 3 rookies wich they could maybe make the club, Mailloux, Kapanen and Hutson. believe it or not, maybe those player will make the main team. I didnt have to watch Condotta play, or Gignac, hayes to know that they are still AHL level caliber. I would have 30 players at the camp and it would be allright. I remember when Bergevin was saying, : « anybody may make a surprise, we will see ». But in fact, 90% of the roster is already set at day 1. Then, we don’t need 6 pre season game imo.

 

[Beer and Chips]

Intra-squad games only, the veterans don't show up anyway, and yes, way less players.

 

[RC51]

i don't care what the fine might be. next year preseason every game habs should ice the biggest meanest ahl players for ALL preseason game with orders to hit everyone on every shift all legal of course 50 hits per game full blast and let the chips fall where they hit.

 

[OldCraig71]

Bubble wrap, lots of bubble wrap.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

Referee’s who understand the game & video review of any & all injury related plays.