Is the NHL going to go for a more balanced schedule?

Question

I think most people think it would be good for the game to have a more balanced schedule so you actually get to see more teams. Additionally it eliminates the advantage some teams get from a playing in a weak division.

Is this really a possibility of happening for the new season? Or has the decision already been made either way?

If you know or have any thoughts on the idea of this type of schedule . . .

Thanks

Answer 1

I think they agreed to go status quo and cross that bridge when the next agreement comes along. You had some for it and some against. Their are pros and cons- more travel, they figure that the more the inter conference play, the bigger the rivalries get, etc.

I think the real complainers were the teams in the West that did not get a chance to see Crosby or Ovechkin. Also, no Anaheim/Ottawa regular season match-up to base anything on.

The real travesty is the loss of great rivalries- this is moronic. Toronto/Detroit to not play is insane. So are the lack of Montreal and Toronto vs. the Western teams like Edmonton and Calgary.

Just another instance of the league dropping the ball.

Answer 2

The current format is going to last for at least one more season (cycle through all the divisions of the other conference). It will go under review again in the off season and hopefully changes will happen. The new schedule not only helps teams that play in bad divisions but it is death to a lot of western conference teams. In the east almost all division rivals are within an hour plane ride of each other. The Stars for example not a single team in their division is in the same time zone much less a quick flight. The eastern conference teams love the current schedule because of the ease and cost of travel.

Answer 3

No. the Owners voted on it over the all star break and came one or 2 votes shy of what they needed to change it... since they voted on it then, they couldn't vote on it last time the met after the season was over (when, among other things, they rejected the Bowed nets and a redesign of the lines that would have made the game even more confusing)



Unfortunately, since the votes are secrets (supposedly) We don't' know which teams voted which way. I do suspect that the Carolina Hurricanes voted for the schedule to be changed from the results of th website poll (70 odd percent in favor, and they listen to the fans...) and a little paragraph in one of the blogs on their page.



The only team voting "no" that I know of was Nashville, but that could change this year if the owner changes- I'm certainly hoping for that...



Each team should play each other a minimum of twice. Play each team from the other conference twice, one home, one away. That way, you still have more games in your conference to cut down on travel time but can still play every team. 82 games -30 games in the other conference leaves 52 games, so you can play each team in conference 2 or 3 times, (could be rotated year to year like they do with east west now) unless they're in your division, which allows for a few more.



It could be done in a way that works for everyone...

Answer 4

It certainly is rediculous, considering the NBA with the exact same number of games and the exact same number of teams has each team play every other team twice. One especially stupid thing is that each year they have "Hockey Day in Canada" when all six Canadian teams play three games in a triple header one Saturday, which isn't possible this year as Montreal Toronto and Ottawa do not play Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver at all in the regular season, and unless one each makes the Stanley Cup finals (like that's going to happen!)

Answer 5

Bob, once again has a great point.

Me personally, I would absolutly love to see less inter-league play. Playing the same team 8 times a season. I don't know if the schedule could work with only playing each other 5 times, maybe 6. I like 5 better. you'll have a series winner everytime. Plus it gives everyone a chance to see other teams. The bruins only came to town once last year, Buffalo only once last year. They smoked us that night. 7-2 I think. They talk about more travel, It's a simple fact Everyone has the same amount of home games, as away games. The travel to me should not be a factor.

Answer 6

There's been talk among the owners but for this season, and maybe next, we're stuck with the same old crap. Wings - Blues 8 games, wings- hawks 8 games, wings preds 8 games, wing vs. columbus (now there's a rivalry) 8 games. yawn

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

I don't think it will happen. We'll see when the schedule is released July 11.