Idea: US and Canada open cup

[stars33]

If you are unaware about soccer. They have a fantastic idea that assists in the fan interest for minor league teams. It is called a OPEN CUP. Lets say for example we have a USA open cup.
All teams in the tournament must be located in the US. The tournament winner would be considered the USA champion. (Herb Brooks Trophy)

The top 4 ECHL hockey teams.
The top 8 AHL teams.
The top 16 NHL teams.

All games single elimination. The lower league team gets the Home ice. If from same league, the team with better record gets home ice.

Round 1 - top 4 ECHL teams vs Lower 4 AHL teams
Round 2 - Round 1 winners and top 4 AHL clubs vs. the Lower 8 NHL clubs.
Round 3 - Round 2 winners vs. top 8 NHL clubs.
Round 4 - Final 8 teams
Round 5 - Final 4
Round 6 - US Open Championship game.

This tournament would provide motivation for minor league cities to support there teams. Imagine the Hartford wolfpack playing host to the Boston Bruins or the Milwaukee Admirals playing host to the Detroit Red wings.
If Belarus can upset Sweden why not Milwaukee upsetting Detroit. For Minor league players this would be a chance to show what they got. For the NHL this would showcase there brand in new markets across the US without having to place a full time expansion team there.
Still not convinced, Manchester United the most famous soccer team in the world participated in the FA open cup. The tournament is open to all English soccer clubs. Why would Man U want to beat on a minor league team. Because they want to to win tournaments. To gain prestige and to garner fans in new markets. They play to win. This play to win every game any where has help them become what they are today.

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[stars33]

The games could be held on weeknights in October, November, and December leading up to the winter classic on January 1st. The winter classic would be the US open championship held in neutral site every year. The Herb Brooks trophy would be raised after the game.

A Canadien version would include all 7 NHL teams, 4 AHL clubs and there 1 CHL club. The finalists would play outdoors in the Heritage classic for the Gordie Howe trophy.

Lets face it a single elimination knockout game in November would be interesting compared to game 20 in an 82 game NHL schedule.

 

[Tommy Hawk]

Not gonna happen. The rosters are too fluid and what if Boston had to play Providence? Boston simply call everyone up and providence forfeits.

This works for soccer because none of the teams are the farm teams of the other teams.

 

[stars33]

I know this tournament is a pipe dream. But just for fun. You could have a rule the NHL team does not play there farm team until the finals. Or you can also have a rule that they can not call up players during the time there playing their minor league team.

The reason i like a open cup. Is that it spreads NHL hockey all across the country without having to have expansion.

Maybe AHL fans would find there league more interesting knowing they have a shot against NHL teams in a meaningful tournament.

 

[Sports Enthusiast]

Would be fun for the underdogs. The big clubs don't give a crap.

 

[PCSPounder]

Not gonna happen. The rosters are too fluid and what if Boston had to play Providence? Boston simply call everyone up and providence forfeits.

This works for soccer because none of the teams are the farm teams of the other teams.

Except that all the new USL teams with MLS parents will be in the cup this year.

You schedule the feeder teams against other teams.

OTOH: the FA Cup in England, and nearly as much the Open Cup here... if you think Premier League or MLS regulars are starting in a game against Stockport or Tulsa, you're kidding yourself. Yes, that's kind of diluted the competition sometimes, although it gives the smaller teams a chance.

Of course, this is a good idea for a reduced NHL schedule rather than 82 games.