Last Gleaming
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2013
- 118
- 59
Would 1-16, if we had a balanced schedule, really be better? Most people seem to value seeing the rivals early on over having a perfectly-open playoff bracket. For example, San Jose would be in line to face Toronto right now instead of the Kings in the 1st round. Or Boston would face Anaheim instead of the Leafs. The Lightning would be up against the Blues or Avs instead of possibly the Panthers. And so on.
There could be a compromise solution though. Re-seed at the next level up after each round. Divisional seeding for the 1st round, conference-wide seeding for the 2nd round, league-wide seeding for the 3rd round, and the last 2 teams to survive, regardless of conference or division affiliation, contest the Stanley Cup.
At most 3 possible cross-conference series. Produces more variety in matchups without totally abandoning the divisional/conference alignment and puts emphasis on having as strong of a regular season as possible.
There could be a compromise solution though. Re-seed at the next level up after each round. Divisional seeding for the 1st round, conference-wide seeding for the 2nd round, league-wide seeding for the 3rd round, and the last 2 teams to survive, regardless of conference or division affiliation, contest the Stanley Cup.
At most 3 possible cross-conference series. Produces more variety in matchups without totally abandoning the divisional/conference alignment and puts emphasis on having as strong of a regular season as possible.