I'm not a hockey guy. I've played at a low level but don't have a clue about the intricacies of managing a pro hockey team. But the scenario you point out above just makes sense to me, especially for some western teams.
I think it will take some time for the mentality of managers, coaches, and players to change. But it will eventually.
- bloatedmosquito
It'll change until a team that's traditional wins again, then it'll change back again. There's no sure way to win in the NHL, since hockey isn't a sport like baseball where it's essentially one on one with batters vs. pitchers. At the end of the day, the team that's healthiest and has the most depth in all positions usually wins. Whatever the system or method or style that they play, it always comes down to depth and health in the playoffs.
On a different note, I'd love for the NHL to change their playoff format and instead of having an West-East champions facing each other in the SCF, why not rank all 16 playoff teams 1-16 and go from there? Then the travel would be a little more equal for Western teams since most of the Central teams are in the Central timezone and far away from the Pacific, whereas right now, the Metropolitan and Atlantic teams can almost drive to their games and go home at night.
