Jan Levine: Decision making on 2020-21 season has begun in earnest Many topics on the table....

I like the idea of an all Canadian division.

I like the idea of an all Canadian division.
- david22

It just seems like a certainty if USA-Canadian travel remains as restricted as it is

Of course Canadian teams would be happy to have a division to themselves, they may actually make the playoffs.

Talk of planning for a season with fans in seats is nonsense. It will be late 2021 before fans will be able to fill North American hockey arena. [This cut-off assumes early Covid shots will successfully establish herd immunity, which is highly unlikely.] As team revenues are largely gate driven, proceeding with a normal season is impractical.

As such, us working on the periphery of the league, are instead hearing the season is likely to be replaced by four shorter hub-based tournaments, followed by a playoffs, with the cup presented before the Olympics.

All of the discussion of realignment and Canadian divisions is merely gibberish, based on off the record comments from ownership of the Arizona Coyotes.

Starting the season in bubbles/hubs and moving to a more conventional season seems promising IMO. Say a 60 game season with 4-6 weeks in hubs. 20 bubble games, 20 away games, 20 home games (hopefully with fans). I could live with that. As reported today, vaccine progress seems promising.

I just want hockey. However they do it. I don’t think there is any plan they could have that would bother me as long as hockey comes back.

I just want hockey. However they do it. I don’t think there is any plan they could have that would bother me as long as hockey comes back.
- jimbro83

I don't give a poop if they played on a pond in someones backyard

I don't give a poop if they played on a pond in someones backyard
- mdw7413

Or on a beautiful lake in Canada

Such a good idea that was obv squashed for seemingly no reason

https://oilersnation.com/...n-in-lake-louise-quashed/

I just want hockey. However they do it. I don’t think there is any plan they could have that would bother me as long as hockey comes back.
- jimbro83

There's really no reason they couldn't do division only pods if it came to that. If they are worried about the toll the pods and isolation take, they could play a bunch of games, give the players an extended break, then come back rinse and repeat.

Or on a beautiful lake in Canada

Such a good idea that was obv squashed for seemingly no reason

https://oilersnation.com/...n-in-lake-louise-quashed/
- Bean_Dip

Mystery Alaska!

Mystery Alaska!
- mdw7413

That didn't go so well for the Rangers last time around

With players only agreeing to give 20% escrow the league would have to get 80% of regular revenue to break even

That’s not happening with partially filled or empty stadiums (and it’s not just tickets, food and beverage are a huge portion and confessions probably wouldn’t even be open)

They’d have to strike a new deal with players to take even less money or it’s probably less of a loser to just not play at all

That didn't go so well for the Rangers last time around
- TPC

Is Little Richard still alive?

Is Little Richard still alive?
- mdw7413

recently died

With players only agreeing to give 20% escrow the league would have to get 80% of regular revenue to break even

That’s not happening with partially filled or empty stadiums (and it’s not just tickets, food and beverage are a huge portion and confessions probably wouldn’t even be open)

They’d have to strike a new deal with players to take even less money or it’s probably less of a loser to just not play at all
- RoloTahmasee

recently died
- jimbro83

Thats dissapointing

Not going to lie if you were to tell me the only NHL level moves the Rangers were going to make was sign Jack Johnson and Kevin Rooney, I would have said you crazy....but here we are

Not going to lie if you were to tell me the only NHL level moves the Rangers were going to make was sign Jack Johnson and Kevin Rooney, I would have said you crazy....but here we are
- TPC

I don't think anyone realized the rookie bonuses issue was as much of a problem as it is, and then on top of that the 13 million in dead space from the buyouts, just not much that can be done

Coyotes didnt pick until 4th round this year, dont have a first rounder next year, and picked a kid in 4th round who's got some controversy surrounding him

https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3735555001

I don't think anyone realized the rookie bonuses issue was as much of a problem as it is, and then on top of that the 13 million in dead space from the buyouts, just not much that can be done
- jimbro83

Trade Strome and find another center via trade, and I will be happy with it

Trade Strome and find another center via trade, and I will be happy with it
- TPC

I think they'd love to trade Strome

any potential team interested wants to see how much he gets, I think this one is actually going to the arbitrator

Coyotes didnt pick until 4th round this year, dont have a first rounder next year, and picked a kid in 4th round who's got some controversy surrounding him

https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3735555001
- jimbro83

Not going to lie if you were to tell me the only NHL level moves the Rangers were going to make was sign Jack Johnson and Kevin Rooney, I would have said you crazy....but here we are
- TPC

It's pretty evident that their plan is to let the kids get another year of seasoning and let the dead cap expire. Overall, I don't hate this plan. Really, the only downside to this approach is using another year of Zib/Panarin's prime for a development season. However, they were really close this past season and there's points that could be made that it won't actually be a waste of a season.

Is it upsetting as a fan to not see them make a big move and end the rebuild? Sure. Is it the wrong decision from an organizational perspective? Probably not.

Coyotes didnt pick until 4th round this year, dont have a first rounder next year, and picked a kid in 4th round who's got some controversy surrounding him

https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3735555001
- jimbro83

Kid was a piece of poop. Its 8th grade though. A lot of kids do awful crap when they are younger.

This holding onto stuff that kids do and somehow the rest of their lives should be ruined is so (frank)ing dumb.