It's 2015. You can do anything from your phone or the internet, and technology is making an increasing impact on everyday life. Fan voting determines everything from All-Star starters, to plays of the year, to the EA Sports cover athlete. With the NHL's perpetual quest to maintain a comparable level of popularity with the other major sports, what do you think about setting the middle playoff match ups with a fan vote?
For example:
Division champions get the first two seeds.
Currently in the East:
#1 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #8 Washington Capitals
#2 New York Islanders vs. #7 Boston Bruins
In order of current points that leaves:
#3 Montreal Canadiens
#4 Detroit Red Wings
#5 Pittsburgh Penguins
#6 New York Rangers
What match ups do you want to see? Any combination of these 4 teams would be determined by a fan vote for the first round.
In the West:
#1 Nashville Predators vs. #8 Vancouver Canucks
#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Calgary Flames
In order of current points that leaves:
#3 St. Louis Blues
#4 Chicago Blackhawks
#5 San Jose Sharks
#6 Winnipeg Jets
Now this year you could argue that at least in the East, the current match ups are all ideal. This is true. But going forward I can't imagine that happens every year. This would give us a chance to make it happen.
Just a crazy thought I had that I wanted to share. What do you think?
For example:
Division champions get the first two seeds.
Currently in the East:
#1 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #8 Washington Capitals
#2 New York Islanders vs. #7 Boston Bruins
In order of current points that leaves:
#3 Montreal Canadiens
#4 Detroit Red Wings
#5 Pittsburgh Penguins
#6 New York Rangers
What match ups do you want to see? Any combination of these 4 teams would be determined by a fan vote for the first round.
In the West:
#1 Nashville Predators vs. #8 Vancouver Canucks
#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Calgary Flames
In order of current points that leaves:
#3 St. Louis Blues
#4 Chicago Blackhawks
#5 San Jose Sharks
#6 Winnipeg Jets
Now this year you could argue that at least in the East, the current match ups are all ideal. This is true. But going forward I can't imagine that happens every year. This would give us a chance to make it happen.
Just a crazy thought I had that I wanted to share. What do you think?