Jan Levine: NHLPA to meet tonight at 7PM, where do we currently stand on return-to-play 24 teams, brackets and more

Who cares let’s just drop the puck and go whatever format comes to pass, let’s get it on...

Do a 30 team format and give Detroit the #1 pick.

First round best of 3. Next two rounds best of 5. Then best of 7 til it’s done.

Every team gets to pick their “bruiser”. They’ll stand at center ice and scrap. Who ever wins the fight moves on until there are 4 teams left. Then they’ll play a game of chess, battle ship, and guess who. Those games are just exhibition and mean nothing. The cup will then be awarded to the team with the oldest season ticket holder.

To me, this is more fair than the 24 team format. It doesn’t favor the big markets at all, even though those big markets have a better record and probably deserve to be in over teams that don’t have records over .500.

If this isn’t the format, Bettman should get the axe.

Every team gets to pick their “bruiser”. They’ll stand at center ice and scrap. Who ever wins the fight moves on until there are 4 teams left. Then they’ll play a game of chess, battle ship, and guess who. Those games are just exhibition and mean nothing. The cup will then be awarded to the team with the oldest season ticket holder.

To me, this is more fair than the 24 team format. It doesn’t favor the big markets at all, even though those big markets have a better record and probably deserve to be in over teams that don’t have records over .500.

If this isn’t the format, Bettman should get the axe.
- Bean_Dip

It’s starting to sound like the tv end, specifically NBC, wanted the extra teams. Makes sense to have 3 original six teams added to the brackets. They need all the money coming in as possible, those 3 will add some for sure

Anyways, I wonder if they decide to scrap this entirely after the PA reviews, I think they may not like it. I have a feeling something different will happen. No insight or anything, just a hunch. I think the fairest thing to do may be to use top 16 teams, w/ no conferences, rolled back to 68 games for total pts. Like the old days playoff set up. I’m unsure if the rangers make it in that scenario (someone else can do the math )

Every team gets to pick their “bruiser”. They’ll stand at center ice and scrap. Who ever wins the fight moves on until there are 4 teams left. Then they’ll play a game of chess, battle ship, and guess who. Those games are just exhibition and mean nothing. The cup will then be awarded to the team with the oldest season ticket holder.

To me, this is more fair than the 24 team format. It doesn’t favor the big markets at all, even though those big markets have a better record and probably deserve to be in over teams that don’t have records over .500.

If this isn’t the format, Bettman should get the axe.
- Bean_Dip

So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, a two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.

So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, a two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.
- MeltingPlastic

Yes

Boomer Esiason said this morning he has a source who he trusts that pretty much guarantees the Rangers-Carolina first round and then they'll play the Caps

BRING IT

So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, a two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.
- MeltingPlastic

this is exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote my post

Boomer Esiason said this morning he has a source who he trusts that pretty much guarantees the Rangers-Carolina first round and then they'll play the Caps

BRING IT


- jimbo83

Unless the PA votes against it tonight

Thank God we won't play at MSG.

Unless the PA votes against it tonight
- TPC

pretty sure they voted last night

this is exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote my post
- Bean_Dip

Never seen that movie. I caught the last 20 minutes or so a couple weeks ago, just the final game where Ferrell gets knocked out.
Seems like an oversight I am going to have to rectify!!

Never seen that movie. I caught the last 20 minutes or so a couple weeks ago, just the final game where Ferrell gets knocked out.
Seems like an oversight I am going to have to rectify!!
- Tonybere

Ferrell? It's baseketball not semi pro

Ferrell? It's baseketball not semi pro
- MeltingPlastic

Hahaha! Oh, well then I can skip it!
My bad. Thought I saw that little snippet attributed to Semi-Pro recently on another blog here.

Thank God we won't play at MSG.
- BINGO!

Sadly, I find our home crowd to be a dud on most nights. Since the suits took over its not like it used to be. So I’m ok with no fans lol or away from MSG

Bingo, you have to frightened no? since we beat you 4 out of 4 this year

this is exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote my post
- Bean_Dip

Steeeeve Perry

Sadly, I find our home crowd to be a dud on most nights. Since the suits took over its not like it used to be. So I’m ok with no fans lol or away from MSG

Bingo, you have to frightened no? since we beat you 4 out of 4 this year
- Slimtj100

All 4 times though Hank was in net and the Canes outshot us like 45-20 most of those games...no way we can go to Hank in the playoffs

All 4 times though Hank was in net and the Canes outshot us like 45-20 most of those games...no way we can go to Hank in the playoffs
- TPC

I would do the opposite. Put him in every game and pray he wins a cup and retires

I would do the opposite. Put him in every game and pray he wins a cup and retires
- mdw7413

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not....I don't want Hank anywhere near the pipes

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not....I don't want Hank anywhere near the pipes
- TPC

This season is a joke. I'm being serious, let him play every game

I still think those top 4 team seeding games are going to be a disadvantage for them.

Yea they get to play and get in better game shape but how hard do you go knowing there is no fear of elimination plus the risk of injury.

All of the other teams will have built up the early playoff intensity needed in that next round which could give them an early advantage.

It is always nice to get a bye, but I may in this case want to play in those opening round games.

I still think those top 4 team seeding games are going to be a disadvantage for them.

Yea they get to play and get in better game shape but how hard do you go knowing there is no fear of elimination plus the risk of injury.

All of the other teams will have built up the early playoff intensity needed in that next round which could give them an early advantage.

It is always nice to get a bye, but I may in this case want to play in those opening round games.
- TPC

The non bye teams have to win 19 games, bye teams have to win 16...the bye teams can suck it

The non bye teams have to win 19 games, bye teams have to win 16...the bye teams can suck it
- Slimtj100

If the hub city stuff is true it could be insane...From like noon to midnight every day there will be back to back to back playoff games. I may use all my time off for the first 2 rounds of this playoff season this summer

The NHL does have a real chance to maybe not be the red headed step child of American major sports. If they can agree to this, release it to the public, get fans of the NHL and other sports pumped for some actual sports. Could really help in the long run. They have a chance to steal the spotlight