I think it would be unfair if the NHL skips playing anymore Regular season games and go straight into Playoffs because of the unbalanced games played. Should the NHL come back and finish the NHL regular season at 72 games >? or would that create an unfair advantage to teams already at 72 games played and won't get any "practice" games before the Playoffs. Or just force the team's that are mathematically still be the playoff hunt to come back to play 72 games to see where the Standings will end up.
Let's assume for this scenario that NHL play resumes on June 15th:
Finish the 82 game regular season in 3 weeks (if possible). Ending around July 6th.
Play Best of 5 in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. Playoffs begin on July 8th or 9th. 2nd round ends on/around July 29th-30th.
Play standard Best of 7 in the Conf. Finals and Cup Final. Conf. Finals begin on Aug. 1st. Cup Final begins on/around Aug. 15th. Stanley Cup awarded around Aug. 28th.
2020-21 Training Camp opens on Oct.15th. Regular season begins on Nov. 1st. League plays a slightly condensed 82 game schedule that ends in late April, 2021 (about 3 weeks late).
The non-playoff teams will still get about a 12-week summer break. Cup Final teams will get 6-7 weeks off. Not ideal, but better than scrapping this season and/or diminishing next season.
Let's assume for this scenario that NHL play resumes on June 15th:
Finish the 82 game regular season in 3 weeks (if possible). Ending around July 6th.
Play Best of 5 in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. Playoffs begin on July 8th or 9th. 2nd round ends on/around July 29th-30th.
Play standard Best of 7 in the Conf. Finals and Cup Final. Conf. Finals begin on Aug. 1st. Cup Final begins on/around Aug. 15th. Stanley Cup awarded around Aug. 28th.
2020-21 Training Camp opens on Oct.15th. Regular season begins on Nov. 1st. League plays a slightly condensed 82 game schedule that ends in late April, 2021 (about 3 weeks late).
The non-playoff teams will still get about a 12-week summer break. Cup Final teams will get 6-7 weeks off. Not ideal, but better than scrapping this season and/or diminishing next season.
For safety reasons, why should the NHLPA allow hundreds of players on non playoffs team rejoin the clubs for an useless games after 3 months off.
For safety reasons, why should the NHLPA allow hundreds of players on non playoffs team rejoin the clubs for an useless games after 3 months off.
To protect the legitimacy of this season. The importance of which can't be overlooked. There are still several teams just outside the playoff picture that could make up ground quickly. Where would you draw the line? 18 teams in the playoffs? 20?