The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Another random idea thrown around to determine playoffs if we do have them.

Use total points based on the last 68 games(since all teams have played at least 68 games).

So teams who played 70 games would count game 3 onwards.

Counting last 68 vs first 68 could be interesting choice. Meaning for some teams, game 1 of regular season counts, but to their opponent it didn't.

I know for the Leafs, last 68 games means they lose 4 points since they won game 1 and 2. Panthers would lose 0 points and therefore pass the Leafs. I'd hate if that happened, especially since Leafs have higher point percentage.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

The 68-game rule would probably be the most fair, but not very fun. I'd rather have a few play-in games among teams in the playoff hunt. (NOTE: All play-in games use playoff OT rules.) Here's how I'd do it:

East

Bruins (1A), Bolts (2A), Caps (1M), Flyers (2M), Pens (3M) get awarded playoff berths in whichever current spot they hold in the standings.

Leafs and Panthers play a best-of-3 for the final Atlantic spot: because the Leafs are 3 points up (but Florida has a game in hand), they get a built-in advantage: they start Game 1 with a 2-0 lead.

Hurricanes, Jackets, Isles, Rangers play a mini-tourney for the WC spots:
Game 1: Hurricanes vs Rangers
Game 2: Blue Jackets vs Islanders
Game 3: Winner G1 vs Winner G2 - winner of this game clinches 1st WC spot
Game 4: Loser G1 vs Loser G2
Game 5: Loser G3 vs Winner G4 - winner of this game clinches the 2nd WC spot

West

Blues (1C), Avalanche (2C), Stars (3C), Knights (1P), Oilers (2P) get awarded playoff berths in whichever current spot they hold in the standings.

Flames and Canucks play a best-of-3 for the final Pacific spot: because the Flames are 1 point up (and the Canucks have a game in hand), no advantage to either team.

Jets, Predators, Wild, Coyotes play a mini-tourney for the WC spots:
Game 1: Jets vs Coyotes
Game 2: Predators vs Wild
Game 3: Winner G1 vs Winner G2 - winner of this game clinches 1st WC spot
Game 4: Loser G1 vs Loser G2
Game 5: Loser G3 vs Winner G4 - winner of this game clinches the 2nd WC spot

Once the final playoff spots are ironed out, the playoffs would run as normal, except the 1st 2 rounds would be best-of-5.

1st Pick Tournament

The 6 teams that fail to make the playoffs in the above play-ins are granted entry to a tourney for the 1st overall pick. The Wings are guaranteed no worse than the 5th pick, but have to earn anything higher.

1st round (best-of-5 series, Red Wings receive bye)

Play-In Loser w/ 6th best pre-COVID points vs Senators (OTT only has to win 2 games)
Play-In Loser w/ 5th best pre-COVID points vs Sharks (SJ only has to win 2 games)
Play-In Loser w/ 4th best pre-COVID points vs Kings (LA only has to win 2 games)
Play-In Loser w/ 3rd best pre-COVID points vs Ducks (ANA only has to win 2 games)
Play-In Loser w/ 2nd best pre-COVID points vs Devils (NJ only has to win 2 games)
Play-In Loser w/ best pre-COVID points vs Sabres (BUF only has to win 2 games)
Canadiens vs Blackhawks

Losers in this round receive picks 9-15 in the draft, based on pre-COVID record

2nd round (best-of-5, matchups drawn randomly)

If Detroit is drawn with a play-in loser, they only need to win 1 game
If Detroit is drawn with any other team, they only need to win 2 games
If any other (non play-in) team is drawn with a play-in loser, they only need to win 2 games

Losers in this round receive picks 5-8 in the draft, based on pre-COVID record

3rd round (best-of-5, matchups drawn randomly)

If Detroit is still around, they only need to win 2 games, regardless of opponent

Losers in this round receive picks 3-4 in the draft, based on pre-COVID record

Final round (best-of-5)

You're on your own for this one, Detroit!

Winner receives 1st overall pick, loser gets 2nd

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

I'd rather determine playoffs using point percentage and then play in spots for WC.

So top 3 in all divisions are in. We then see Panthers at Canes and Jackets at Islanders (Islanders get home ice due to point percentage).

In west we have Wild at Preds and Jets at Flames(Flames drop from 3rd division to WC spot)

[bhurst99]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Quebec just cancelled all cultural and sporting events until Aug. 30. I realize the Canadiens aren't in a playoff spot but you can see where we're headed in Canada.

Alberta and Ontario sporting events had already been effectively cancelled until June 30.

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Quebec just cancelled all cultural and sporting events until Aug. 30. I realize the Canadiens aren't in a playoff spot but you can see where we're headed in Canada.



Alberta and Ontario sporting events had already been effectively cancelled until June 30.

At this point I dont think anyone is thinking games will be held again in regular arenas.

But it is interesting to see that ever since we had that presidential meeting:
-UFC was gonna go to an island ( but got forced to shut down)
-MLB is looking at having games in ST facilities with diff rules and diff alignment
-NHL is looking at having games in places like North Dakota and Saskatchewan

[bhurst99]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

At this point I dont think anyone is thinking games will be held again in regular arenas.

But it is interesting to see that ever since we had that presidential meeting:
-UFC was gonna go to an island ( but got forced to shut down)
-MLB is looking at having games in ST facilities with diff rules and diff alignment
-NHL is looking at having games in places like North Dakota and Saskatchewan

I think the NHL is going to be the most difficult to restart since there are multiple teams from two countries. Even when the border re-opens, I don't see them getting rid of the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travellers from the USA (or Canadians returning from the USA) anytime soon. Not even for athletes. That quarantine won't be lifted for months unless they develop like a quick one- or two-hour test that can done at border points. It matters little if they're going to play in Saskatoon or Grand Forks or empty arenas somewhere else. It's that international travel and the requirement to quarantine that is a huge hurdle.

I'm not even sure if all the NHLers are currently in North America. Did some go back to Europe?

[nikethebike]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

I think the NHL is going to be the most difficult to restart since there are multiple teams from two countries. Even when the border re-opens, I don't see them getting rid of the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travellers from the USA (or Canadians returning from the USA) anytime soon. Not even for athletes. That quarantine won't be lifted for months unless they develop like a quick one- or two-hour test that can done at border points. It matters little if they're going to play in Saskatoon or Grand Forks or empty arenas somewhere else. It's that international travel and the requirement to quarantine that is a huge hurdle.

I'm not even sure if all the NHLers are currently in North America. Did some go back to Europe?

Yep, Zibanejad for instance is in Sweden.


I think this season is game over. I really hope I am wrong. Would be so much better to have some NHL to get my mind off things. Now I "have to" spend my time on editing NHL2K instead. :P

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Blues signed Scandella to a new deal.

Likely signaling end of Pietrangelo in STL.

Leafs have been interested in him for ages. Muzzin,Rielly,AP as their top 3 would be great.

Cap wise it probably can't happen unless they get rid of someone. I'd be fine dealing Nylander and Dermott for another top RD who makes less than Nylander does. Just have your bottom pairing being min salary guys who play 15 minutes a game at best.

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Buff finally gone from Winnipeg.

Who knows if he ever plays again, it's his call.

If he does return, I wonder where he ends up. Not like they need another dman, but Minnesota could be a possible destination (he grew up there).

[rdnk]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Blues signed Scandella to a new deal.

Likely signaling end of Pietrangelo in STL.

Leafs have been interested in him for ages. Muzzin,Rielly,AP as their top 3 would be great.

Cap wise it probably can't happen unless they get rid of someone. I'd be fine dealing Nylander and Dermott for another top RD who makes less than Nylander does. Just have your bottom pairing being min salary guys who play 15 minutes a game at best.

I disagree, I think it signals the end of Jay-Bo in St. Louis. Both lefties, both play similar positions on the depth chart, both making similar money. There is no way they let their captain and best player leave; they'll just buy out or trade Steen, Bozak and/or one of their goalies to make room to resign him.

That being said, I do agree that the Leafs are likely to move Nylander to find a top 4 defenseman. I don't know who this trade partner is likely to be, but this seems to be the most obvious move to make this work. If they use it to open up cap space, they could go after whichever of TJ Brodie or Travis Hamonic hits free agency from Calgary.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Here's a trivia question. If you've seen it don't cheat.

When Gretzky retired 21 years ago, he held 61 all-time records.

Today he holds 60. He has actually gained 1 record and has been passed in 2.

Can you name the records he's gained and lost?

[bhurst99]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Bizarro rumour going around the NHL media that the league is thinking about keeping the entry draft in June even though the season may not be officially over.

Needless to say there are tons of problems with it and some GMs shot it down but a couple of the reasons behind it were:

1) Keeps the NHL in the media and fans interested
2) A lot of scouts contracts end June 30.

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

If you dont have the draft, what would this do for guys futures? In sure many players are expecting to jump from their league into the NHL or AHL, but might be forced to wait a year?

Just have the draft, end the season there. Or at very least, the draft order is just determined by point percentage.

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

Seems like Bettman is still insistent on having a season.

Latest report says it could lead to games in 4 arenas, possibly the 4 NHL cities least impacted (or just most recovered?) by the virus?

If the playoffs do happen and your team wins, will it even be the same? Not like it'll happen, but imagine if Leafs finally win the cup in a year like this. No fans, no home game, no parade, nothing.

[Majingir]

Re: The Official 2019-20 Season Talk Thread

John Scott claims June 1st is when training camps will open.

https://twitter.com/johnscott_32/status/1253822696149975042?s=19

Who knows what the season/playoffs will be like if it starts in June.