Carol Schram: The self-care blog — and how we could award 2 Stanley Cups in 16 months Enough bad news!

Today's blog includes notes on how I'm working to take better care of myself in these challenging times — and adapts an idea from the "31 Thoughts" podcast on how we could maximize meaningful games played, preserve this season's integrity and get those Stanley Cups awarded.

thank you Carol

please take care of yourself out there. Also, i can't agree enough on the calming music. I know that I am constantly reminding myself that my kids are always watching, and that keeping a calm and composed demeanor around them is soo important for them.

Not a fan of having the season end that late and then starting late. Either cancel the rest of season with no playoffs and try and start on time next year or have a truncated playoffs if it's safe after the 'pause'

Thanks Carol!!

Had Jerry Garcia on Spotify earlier, now listening to the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

We have 12 yards of top soil arriving this afternoon.

My wife mentioned that satellite images are showing massive reductions of pollution as the world 'pauses'.

Your idea is crazy good.

Consider yourself an 'essential service'.

Thank you Carol

Hopefully people start realizing they are not alone.

Those that will have trouble paying rent so will 26 other people in your bldg . or two thirds of your neighborhood.

Banks and credit card companies know people will have trouble meeting payments.

Keep your money for food and essentials. You are one of millions that will be laid off.

Things I have learned in my life is things that stress you out today won't matter in one year . Hang in there and talk to people for support.

I seen photos today of the Venice canal waters. You can see the fish swimming in them now.

Thanks Carol!!

Had Jerry Garcia on Spotify earlier, now listening to the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

We have 12 yards of top soil arriving this afternoon.

My wife mentioned that satellite images are showing massive reductions of pollution as the world 'pauses'.

Your idea is crazy good.

Consider yourself an 'essential service'.
- Marwood

Seen some of those photos and wow


Taiwan needs a kick n the ass to get on project.

Seen some of those photos and wow


Taiwan needs a kick n the ass to get on project.
- VANTEL

Apparently, some canal in Italy that ran filthy for decades in now running clear. Mother Nature is grateful we've all been grounded for a few weeks.

Apparently, some canal in Italy that ran filthy for decades in now running clear. Mother Nature is grateful we've all been grounded for a few weeks.
- Marwood

I doubt it will happen but I hope the world learns a lesson about pollution . I seen the before and after pictures of the pollution in China . Eye opening.

Thanks Carol! Hope everyone is staying as safe as they can.

Funny how the Earth recovers when we let it... the Venice canals are quite the story. Dolphins, fish, and swans:

As far as playoffs and the season I have two thoughts .

My first thought is end it . I actually think a Cap reduction and a full lottery draft would be fun and good for the league like a cleansing. Cap reduction with two compliance buy outs will let you get two bad contracts and hopefully gives a team a chance to learn from mistakes. The lottery draft will punish the teams that have tanked and give them no advantage for being cheap and throwing a season.

My other thought is a one month playoff March Madness bracket all 32 teams . All monies split evenly . Spread round one over four nights . Single game elimination except the final round which would be a 4 of 7.

Thanks Carol!

I actually like the idea of finishing the year and then a compressed offseason. I think it could be a lot of fun

Player X could be a Stanley Cup champion Nov 10 and then Dec 10 playing elsewhere. I also think with only a month between season, cutting out 90+% of training camp would be great too

Only downside I see so far is for the players that would be mid-late August free agents, the quick turnaround could be detrimental to them finding spots, particularly if management's mindset is operating at the same pace it usually does.

Thanks Carol! Hope everyone is staying as safe as they can.

Funny how the Earth recovers when we let it... the Venice canals are quite the story. Dolphins, fish, and swans:


- NewYorkNuck

Here is a good one also

https://twitter.com/i/status/1240338049218646018

Here is a good one also

https://twitter.com/i/status/1240338049218646018
- VANTEL

Here is a good one also

https://twitter.com/i/status/1240338049218646018
- VANTEL

Was just there over the summer, that looks much more magestic

Was just there over the summer, that looks much more magestic
- NewYorkNuck

Shameful how we ruin things

Thanks Carol, we use the Calm App at home regularly, I still haven’t heard the end of Blue Gold yet works like a charm.

Sitting in my home office doing some work, looking out the window. I know the circumstances are very different, but I get the same feeling as I did years ago, September 11... The world has changed forever, hopefully we can learn from this experience once we have had time to recover.

I love hockey, but it’s the furthest thing from my mind right now. Cheers all, see you at the picnic.

👍

Thanks Carol, we use the Calm App at home regularly, I still haven’t heard the end of Blue Gold yet works like a charm.

Sitting in my home office doing some work, looking out the window. I know the circumstances are very different, but I get the same feeling as I did years ago, September 11... The world has changed forever, hopefully we can learn from this experience once we have had time to recover.

I love hockey, but it’s the furthest thing from my mind right now. Cheers all, see you at the picnic.
- 1970vintage

Will we be playing Bocce ?

Thanks Carol!

I actually like the idea of finishing the year and then a compressed offseason. I think it could be a lot of fun

Player X could be a Stanley Cup champion Nov 10 and then Dec 10 playing elsewhere. I also think with only a month between season, cutting out 90+% of training camp would be great too

Only downside I see so far is for the players that would be mid-late August free agents, the quick turnaround could be detrimental to them finding spots, particularly if management's mindset is operating at the same pace it usually does.
- WhiteLie

- Season ticket holders not having to pay for preseason games would be a plus but not much chance for rookies to show they're ready.

- Free agents might have a tough time getting jobs in Europe if they wait and try to make an NHL team. Those leagues may just cancel this season and start fresh next year.

- Having the amateur draft that late would similarly impact junior teams and leagues in Europe.

Will we be playing Bocce ?
- Reubenkincade

Only if people wear gloves

Will we be playing Bocce ?
- Reubenkincade

For those on mushrooms, yes.

- Season ticket holders not having to pay for preseason games would be a plus but not much chance for rookies to show they're ready.

- Free agents might have a tough time getting jobs in Europe if they wait and try to make an NHL team. Those leagues may just cancel this season and start fresh next year.

- Having the amateur draft that late would similarly impact junior teams and leagues in Europe.
- YeOldTimer

I think the last time something like that happened (lock out year) the European contracts had NHL out clauses.

I think the last time something like that happened (lock out year) the European contracts had NHL out clauses.
- VANTEL

In this case they won't have signed with a team in Europe. If they don't make an NHL team they might have trouble finding an alternate team to play for if those leagues have already started.

Will the projected first round picks go ahead and play for their junior and college teams at the start of those seasons or wait for the draft in hopes of making the NHL for the start of the 20/21 season? Once they start there they can't leave for the NHL.

In this case they won't have signed with a team in Europe. If they don't make an NHL team they might have trouble finding an alternate team to play for if those leagues have already started.

Will the projected first round picks go ahead and play for their junior and college teams at the start of those seasons or wait for the draft in hopes of making the NHL for the start of the 20/21 season? Once they start there they can't leave for the NHL.
- YeOldTimer

Lots of good questions .I like the uncertainty .

- Season ticket holders not having to pay for preseason games would be a plus but not much chance for rookies to show they're ready.

- Free agents might have a tough time getting jobs in Europe if they wait and try to make an NHL team. Those leagues may just cancel this season and start fresh next year.

- Having the amateur draft that late would similarly impact junior teams and leagues in Europe.
- YeOldTimer

I didn't put much thought before responding but I guess in my mind the NHL would be the leader and other leagues would follow suit. Europe may be a different story, but I could see North American leagues (AHL, CHL, etc.) mimicking whatever strategy they roll out.

That being said, overage players in junior leagues fall into a weird spot under this system, they might not even return after 6 months to play their final month of hockey. Oh well, I am hoping for some radical solutions because its not very often you can a free pass at trying something significantly different