Around the League 2020-21

[JabbaJabba]

I think you are right, but there is an ownership split. Some of the owners have that long term view, and some have the short term view where they would rather not lose millions of dollars having an empty arena season.

Exactly. Forbes just released an article about corona's effect on NHL teams. Teams' value either stayed still or decreased even though they managed to finish the season. Their value decreased for the first time in 19 years. After so long period of growth, it could all come down very quickly.

I am not sure, which teams would like to skip the season, which wouldn't. I imagine that the Ducks would want to play. They are not that popular franchise so they need action to remain relevant.

 

[Paul4587]

If the NHL cancels because of financial concerns they won’t just have to deal with potentially losing popularity because they’re not in the public’s eye but the players association would likely take legal action against the league. It would get really messy for the NHL to cancel.

 

[Leonardo87]

If this sticks, may want to just tank. Lol. Which I hate that mentality. Plus won’t even be as good as a draft. Will be fighting for 5th place. If Min is swapped with St. Louis, which is possible from what I heard, then maybe, if healthy, can sneak into that last 4th playoff spot being behind Colorado, Vegas, and Dallas. But really is a stretch. So many things have to go right for them.

 

[Paul4587]

The Eastern division is worse. We have 4 good teams and three bottom feeders to compete with, the Eastern division has 5 of the best Eastern teams from last season plus the Rangers and Sabres who have both improved immensely.

Meanwhile the central division will be an absolute cakewalk for Tampa. They are the only legit contender in that division.

 

[Leonardo87]

The Eastern division is worse. We have 4 good teams and three bottom feeders to compete with, the Eastern division has 5 of the best Eastern teams from last season plus the Rangers and Sabres who have both improved immensely.

Meanwhile the central division will be an absolute cakewalk for Tampa. They are the only legit contender in that division.

It’s like a buffet for Tampa, who do they want to eat first, lol.

 

[AngelDuck]

I don’t think our division is as easy as you guys think. Outside of Arizona and LA it’s going to be tough. SJ will be better and the rest of those teams are tough obviously

 

[Sean Garrity]

I don’t think our division is as easy as you guys think. Outside of Arizona and LA it’s going to be tough. SJ will be better and the rest of those teams are tough obviously

I haven't read one poster say that it was easy, where are you reading this?

 

[AngelDuck]

I haven't read one poster say that it was easy, where are you reading this?

Yeah I misread it and am drunk. My bad

 

[Sean Garrity]

Yeah I misread it and am drunk. My bad

All good, I thought I missed something actually lol.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Are they planning on just sheltering in one bubble city per division?

 

[Paul4587]

Are they planning on just sheltering in one bubble city per division?

Those details are to be confirmed but it sounded like the appetite is to play home games in teams actual buildings. There will probably be some exceptions to that but that’s the plan at the moment.

 

[Static]

Letting teams play in their own environment for that long is just asking for an NFL-like situation.

 

[pbgoalie]

California lock downs
Especially San Jose for now
Are an ever looming obstacle

 

[Paul4587]

California lock downs
Especially San Jose for now
Are an ever looming obstacle

Sounds like the thinking at this stage SJ will stay in Arizona for home games if need be.

it seems inevitable that some sort of hubs will need to come into play though at least to start the season. The NHL is going to have a hard time marking this work.

 

[Terry Yake]

I wonder if it'll ever get back to the normal we remember.

why wouldn't things return back to how they were?

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I'd like to see SJ make the playoffs so that their 2021st rounder is a low one and i do expect them to improve over last season
but SJ won't be getting that much better because its yet another year older of Burns, Vlasic, Couture, Karlsson, Jones.
34 yearold Dubnyk has been declining 3 years in a row: .918, .913 and .890 past 3 seasons, at his age and the decline he's shown they'll be lucky to see .906 SV% out of him.
The return of 41 yearold Marleau probably won't contribute much.

Hopefully the Sharks get more points than the Ducks so the Ducks get a higher pick but i'm worried the Sharks will get a higher pick as well as the lottery rewarding them a higher one.

 

[Kalv]

Yeah SJS is in even worse situation than us because of those contracts. I fully expect us to be above them this year in the standings as well.

Well... that's not a given though

 

[Paul4587]

Gary Bettman says 'bubble' model is still on the table - TSN.ca

Sounds like they’re finally coming around to the idea that hubs will be the way to make this season work.

 

[Ducks in a row]

 

[Leonardo87]

 

[duxfan1101]

No preseason games and the bottom 7 teams from last year only get 3 extra days of camp. Our season opener is going to be ugly.

 

[Leonardo87]

No preseason games and the bottom 7 teams from last year only get 3 extra days of camp. Our season opener is going to be ugly.

Not having high hopes for the entire season to be honest. Especially with the division set up. I hate tanking but maybe this is an opportunity to get a Top 3 pick.

 

[Paul4587]

Not having high hopes for the entire season to be honest. Especially with the division set up. I hate tanking but maybe this is an opportunity to get a Top 3 pick.

That said in a shortened season anything can happen. I’m expecting a bit of rust but if Gibson can steal some games early and we bank some points we could easily steal a wildcard spot.

that’s dependant on the divisional alignment of course. Hopefully we can catch a break there and lose the Blues and gain the Wild.

 

[Leonardo87]

That said in a shortened season anything can happen. I’m expecting a bit of rust but if Gibson can steal some games early and we bank some points we could easily steal a wildcard spot.

that’s dependant on the divisional alignment of course. Hopefully we can catch a break there and lose the Blues and gain the Wild.

If the Blues and Wild swap will be a little more optimistic. Gonna play these teams like 8 times. So yeah anything is possible I guess but i am being cautiously optimistic.

 

[Static]

Just happy we get to watch. Can't believe it's been pretty much a full calendar year, this is almost like 2006 all over again.