Around the NHL #5 (The Mike Smith Tracking Thread Returns)

[TheLegend]

Reports coming out.... the NHLPA ready to approve the 24-team format (not without some heated debate per Bob McKenzie)

Should be some announcement coming soon.

 

[TheLegend]

Pagnotta is predicting first games would be towards the end of July.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Pagnotta is predicting first games would be towards the end of July.

So not 2 weeks...like 2 months!!! The 7 teams left out will be rested and healthy for next season.

 

[87turbobuick]

Just cancel the season and start fresh. The NHL and the players pretend they care about the fans but there have been enough strikes/lockouts to prove they are full of sh%t. The play will be bad with awful ice conditions. Empty seats during games will not be a problems for the players just the owners.

 

[hbk]

I’ve seen a lot of great WJC games in empty European and US cities. That’s not a concern for me.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Hockey fans that don't care if they see hockey.

 

[Neighborhood Coyote]

I'm definitely excited as a fan to watch some hockey on TV. Hoping it's sooner than end of July.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

I'm enjoying watching Bundesliga and NASCAR, even with no fans. I can't imagine how much I'd enjoy the NHL under similar conditions, no matter how slushy the ice is. Anything other than things that already happened, or "...in these challenging times...."

 

[XX]

I am not excited to see Kessel or Stepan after a two month layoff. Kuemper could carry things in any short format but I expect them to get dumpstered if they even play at all.

 

[moosemeister]

I am not excited to see Kessel or Stepan after a two month layoff. Kuemper could carry things in any short format but I expect them to get dumpstered if they even play at all.

It might be best to just leave Kessel at home

 

[MIGs Dog]

It might be best to just leave Kessel at home

And break his "Ironman" streak?!

 

[TheLegend]

 

[Neighborhood Coyote]

The thing I wonder about 1-4 playing for seeding is this...why? If they use hub cities it's not like there is home ice advantage. So what do they gain by being higher seed? It's also not like lowest seed plays highest either.

Idk... One of those things i don't really care about but I find the thought process interesting. If the Yotes win a play in I'll take whoever is there because it's all gravy at that point.

 

[Super Cake]

The thing I wonder about 1-4 playing for seeding is this...why? If they use hub cities it's not like there is home ice advantage. So what do they gain by being higher seed? It's also not like lowest seed plays highest either.

Idk... One of those things i don't really care about but I find the thought process interesting. If the Yotes win a play in I'll take whoever is there because it's all gravy at that point.

Its so they can play games instead of sitting on their asses waiting for the play in series to be completed.

 

[Jakey53]

I am not excited to see Kessel or Stepan after a two month layoff. Kuemper could carry things in any short format but I expect them to get dumpstered if they even play at all.

Kessel and Stepan didn't excite us after two months of training camp and exhibition games, so I'm not expecting anything from them now. Can't wait to see them on the first line next year as well.

 

[rt]

Its so they can play games instead of sitting on their asses waiting for the play in series to be completed.

And also the “home” team gets last line change and the nicer dressing room. And they get to play the lower seeds.

 

[Neighborhood Coyote]

Its so they can play games instead of sitting on their asses waiting for the play in series to be completed.

Which I totally get ... BUT they also have to worry about injury. Even if the chance isn't that high it's still a factor. Tough position to be in.

I guess I just think the higher seeds get shafted a bit in the whole thing. But hey I'm still thinking it will be fun regardless and open up even more upset possibilities.

 

[MIGs Dog]

It's 4AM and I literally LOLd at this.

 

[Mosby]

Well, Eichel is pissed. I say one more season of the team finishing widely out of the playoff race before he asks out.

 

[Grimes]

Well, Eichel is pissed. I say one more season of the team finishing widely out of the playoff race before he asks out.

How do we get this done?

 

[Mosby]

Give them whatever they want. There should be no restrictions.

 

[Grimes]

Give them whatever they want. There should be no restrictions.

Thing is, what would they want? Do they want to go to rebuild 2.0 or want pieces that make them better now.

Dvo+Keller as a starting point, how much more needs to be added?

 

[MIGs Dog]

Thing is, what would they want? Do they want to go to rebuild 2.0 or want pieces that make them better now.

Dvo+Keller as a starting point, how much more needs to be added?

OEL

 

[Grimes]

OEL

There's no way he would waive right?

 

[Mosby]

If I was the Sabres I wouldn't trust Jason Botterill to move Eichel for an appropriate return.