Fhshockey112002

January 6th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^

So wait, you mean to tell me the Eastern Conference teams are pissed because they will start to actually take planes, and not 20 min bus rides to away games?  

This is crazy, for decades the Western Conference has killed themselves all regular season with road trips twice as long as Easter Conference teams, and NOW the NHLPA is worried about travel?

Joined: 11/08/2010

MGoPoints: 2464

BrownJuggernaut

January 6th, 2012 at 10:44 PM ^

The NHL made these new plans without providing detailed plans about how it would work. The players wanted more information and that's why it didn't get passed. The NHL is now complaining that it did not pass, but they could have done more. It's their fault it didn't get passed. 

I'm glad it didn't pass because I think the playoff format is incredibly stupid. You shouldn't have two East teams or two West teams in the finals. That just doesn't work. The realignment itself was reasonable because they do need to reduce the travel of some teams. The playoff format uproots traditional postseason battles. I hated it.

Joined: 10/02/2010

MGoPoints: 8235

Fhshockey112002

January 6th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^

Interesting points, but I tend to disagree with your opinion on the playoffs.  In my mind I want to see the best two teams in the finals.  Why see a second rate team from a down Conference be rewarded when better team from a tougher conference is eliminated?

 

For instance in 2003 when 1 seed New Jersey eliminated 2 seed Ottawa (7 Games) in the Eastern Conference Finals, only to face 7 seed Aneheim in the finals.  

Then again in 2007 when 1 seed Aneheim eliminated 2 seed Detroit (6 games) in the Western Conference finals, only to face 4 seed Ottawa in the finals.

I get that every year you wont have the #1 and #2 seeds in the finals, but I do believe that keeping the best two teams on opposite sides of the bracket (regardless of conference) is the best option in any situation.

Joined: 11/08/2010

MGoPoints: 2464

AllAboutBLUE93

January 7th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

The new "conferences" would in essence make every team travel and thus all teams would be spending a fairly similar amount traveling each year. Where as now teams like new jersey, new york, and Philly spend virtually nothing compared to teams like Detroit, Chicago, and Dallas. It would help level the playing field in terms of expenses. And as a Detroit fan I love the fact that I'd get to see teams like Toronto, Boston, Washington EVERY year at home vs the current system where its once every 2 or 3 years at home.

Joined: 11/01/2011

MGoPoints: 328