Hockey Randomness

[dodint]

I'd rather they just cut their losses and focus on 2020-2021.

[Gaucho]

Yeah, I guess they can't afford to cut their losses or something.

[NTP66]

I'd rather they just cut their losses and focus on 2020-2021.

[nocera]

Preds’ Duchene urges NHL not to have a ‘COVID Cup’
https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/na ... -covid-cup

I'm not sure if I agree with Duchene or not, but the phrase "COVID Cup" is pretty great.

[dodint]

Yeah, I guess they can't afford to cut their losses or something.

I wonder if they don't have pandemic insurance the way Wimbledon does. I imagine not given the size and scope of their operation.

[mikey]

I don't really understand what "focus on 2020-21" represents that wouldn't be included with this season as well...

The virus doesn't know this season from next...many of the same considerations are going to need to be made...it's not like they're taking away time from next year's planning to do this really...next season is part of this plan...what they're doing now for the playoffs works as a contingency plan for next season anyhow...

It's not like you can lock anything in place for October or November anyhow...so rather than sitting around fingering ourselves for the next several weeks, why not try to stick something together that can promote the game while everyone is asleep at the wheel...?

[dodint]

I don't see how you can start a tournament in mid to late July and not compromise next season. Scheduling and player fatigue would both suffer I imagine.
August hockey is going to be tough to love for the bulk of the viewership I would imagine. Not that I wouldn't watch, but it wouldn't be appointment TV when I'm out enjoying the 4 months of good weather western PA has to offer.

[mikey]

I think I wrote out a schedule already that didn't compromise the season...I think it's over in the Pens randomness thread...but you have an offseason going on right now. We're at over 2 months now. We're guaranteed a 3rd. We might even get close to a 4th. That's an offseason. Then eight teams will play 3 or less games. That's an inconvenience, nothing more. 23 teams will play less than 10 games. After the Final, those two teams will get six weeks...the six teams between that are getting 8+ weeks.

Over the course of the season, maybe you'll see some additional fatigue if you condense the schedule down a little bit...but I also wrote up travel modifications and I'm all about a 76 game schedule (in general), so, I guess I kind of try to account for that...

[dodint]

Or all of that can be avoided by hitting the reset button and aiming for a normal season in the fall.

I'm not saying either course of action is right or wrong. Just that the "focus on 2020-2021" argument has merit because your plan, as well thought and well meaning as it is, does involve compromises. Some fans, like NTP66 and I, are fatigued by the uncertainty and might find more enjoyment in looking forward to October than we would find in wondering about July. That's not even considering the notion that many people don't equate the summer solstice with ice skating. The NHLs bread and butter is the casual fan, right? Why else would they pander so much on the coverage, etc.

I'm a disinterested party though, my well-being is not tied to hockey.

[mikey]

I would say this is a rare chance to get fans for a league that lives on regional gate receipts...

But yeah, my approach is because *taps underside of forearm* I need it and have a strong desire to see a Stanley Cup Playoffs...the compromises, in my eyes, are far, far less than the "scrap the season and playoffs" compromise...

Actual news, not opinion: The Return to Play committee has really increased their meetings in the last week or so...the thought is is that they'll have an opportunity to present plan or plans to the BoG before the month is out...

[nocera]

If the bread and butter is the casual fan, if the NHL can get up and running before baseball or NBA, you’ll have loads of fans clamoring for sport of any kind and they’ll tune in. Regardless if it’s summertime or not.

[dodint]

I love the game enough to let it go, mikey.

[mikey]

And I love it enough to show up at its work, get drunk, and make a scene...so there... /sassy

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

[NTP66]

Ew.

[Gaucho]

If a 17-24 team beats a higher seed in the first round, do they still get the lottery pick?

[meow]

I think only the teams not in the play-in are lottery eligible

[Beveridge]

Ew.

So 2 nights of a hot Carey Price and see you in a couple more months.

Great!

[Gaucho]

Leafs in 5, Pens in 4, Cats in 5, Canes in 4, Flames in 5, Hawks in 5, Canucks in 3, Preds in 5.

[nocera]

Source of the post So 2 nights of a hot Carey Price and see you in a couple more months.

I fully expect this to happen.

[meow]

Source of the post hot Carey Price.

[mikey]

[Beveridge]

What's the line on somebody testing positive and this all shuts down before the finals is finished?

Put me down for $Texas on that bet.

[nocera]

My money is on Laine.

[mikey]

How about this...game within the game...if one of your players gets it, you're eliminated and the other team advances. Bang.

Unless it's like a Leipsic caliber player, then you can just put him on waivers and keep playing...