The NHL and NHLPA are reportedly closing in on a new CBA extension, and one of many agreements included will likely be extending the common season from 82 video games to 84, whereas additionally shortening the preseason.
As a substitute of including video games, it ought to take into account lowering the quantity of regular-season contests. Although which may appear counterproductive from a monetary standpoint, it could enhance the standard of video games and the playoffs, in the end benefiting the gamers in the long run.
When mixed with a two-month postseason that requires the Stanley Cup finalists to play a further 20-25 high-intensity video games, it turns the whole season into one of the crucial grueling and bodily demanding in professional sports activities.
By the point the playoffs finish, we hear about gamers taking part in via main accidents, damaged bones and different assorted bodily calamities. Except for the accidents themselves, gamers look sluggish at instances and the standard of play can endure.
Arguably, a few of the greatest and most entertaining postseasons in current reminiscence have occurred throughout shortened campaigns (both by the pandemic or lockouts), and which may not be a coincidence. Suiting up for fewer video games has left gamers brisker, extra energized and more healthy for the grind of the playoffs.
Furthermore, the NHL would not want 82 video games to find out the most effective or playoff groups.
The postseason standings hardly ever change a lot after the tip of December. Lots of the video games being performed usually are not considerably impacting the seeding or groups’ possibilities of making the playoffs.
Whereas the NHL — or any skilled sports activities league — is unlikely to ever cut back the variety of video games on account of monetary causes, it ought to at the least take into account the choice.
If it desires extra significant matches, maybe it ought to take into account lowering the common season right down to 70-75 video games, after which including an NBA-style play-in event to extend the variety of groups taking part in postseason video games.
Critics will argue that the NHL already has too many playoff groups, with half of the league qualifying (16 out of 32), however that is nothing in comparison with what it was within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, when greater than 75% (16 out of 21 groups) made the playoffs. The NHL has fewer playoff groups now (by share) than at any level within the fashionable period.
With the league more likely to increase once more throughout the subsequent decade, it could make sense to increase the postseason as effectively.
A few further play-in video games is perhaps extra attractive to hockey followers than two extra Seattle-San Jose regular-season video games that solely diehard followers of every staff are going to observe.
Cash at all times wins in these issues, and extra video games imply extra money, not essentially an enchancment within the product.
