NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

[Money99]

https://theathletic.com/1850806/2020/06/04/mirtle-why-the-nhls-summer-playoff-schedule-may-become-hockeys-new-normal/

Bettman has scoffed at the idea of having a partial-season for 20-21 in order to reset the calendar.
This isn't a surprise. In both of the recent half-lockouts, many US owners have said they'd prefer they start the season in December or January to avoid the NFL.
So everyone get ready for a Stanley Cup final in July or August. Great times!

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

NBA has wanted Christmas start, NHL seemed similar.

Sucks to have though because all the Canadian NHL fans really won't like that as much, but we know it's the US which the NHL cares about.

For Jays fans, post ASG is usually depressing time anyways and when people start looking forward to hockey season starting back, even just preseason in September is fun.

Although the more I think about it, if season ends in July, playoffs in September, October/November with no hockey isn't something I'll miss as much. December I'm too busy anyways.

Just wonder how it'll be having hockey across the countries in summer weather. I know in southern cities they're use to it, but I'm sure it'll be an adjustment for places like Toronto, NY amd so on having fans in shorts outside and then the rink inside.

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I'm all for this change. I'd rather the season start in January!

[Money99]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I'm sure youth hockey would run as usual. But I wonder about the CHL and NCAA?
I doubt they change things. So what about the draft? Like baseball, would drafted players have a chance to playing in the same season they're drafted?

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[Majingir]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I'm sure youth hockey would run as usual. But I wonder about the CHL and NCAA?
I doubt they change things. So what about the draft? Like baseball, would drafted players have a chance to playing in the same season they're drafted?

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That would be interesting, but maybe they allow draft picks to go to the AHL right away and can join the NHL team starting from the following season?

[Money99]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

That would be interesting, but maybe they allow draft picks to go to the AHL right away and can join the NHL team starting from the following season?

That would be pretty cool for the AHL.
Maybe there's some positives to this.


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[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

Hmmmmmmmm....


This will be really interesting especially if the rest of the world keeps the current schedule. Sweden cancelled the entire season. No call ups. No relegations. Just so that the next season should be able to restart normally. Kind of. Hopefully.

[bhurst99]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

That idea doesn't make any sense to me if the plan is to do it every year.

The NHL season in 2018-19 started on Oct. 3, 2018 and ended June 12, 2019.

If the season starts in January; it wouldn't end in July. The playoffs would end in September.

That just seems like a really bad idea to run the playoffs during the summer every year. If the choice is between sitting outside watching a baseball game or sitting inside an arena, I know which one I'm going to pick.

I know the US teams hate going against college football and the NFL in October, November and December, but Canadian television networks would hate that open hole in their schedules during the fall and having less eyes inside watching TV during the summer. Summer is prime vacation time.

[Money99]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

That idea doesn't make any sense to me if the plan is to do it every year.

The NHL season in 2018-19 started on Oct. 3, 2018 and ended June 12, 2019.

If the season starts in January; it wouldn't end in July. The playoffs would end in September.

That just seems like a really bad idea to run the playoffs during the summer every year. If the choice is between sitting outside watching a baseball game or sitting inside an arena, I know which one I'm going to pick.

I know the US teams hate going against college football and the NFL in October, November and December, but Canadian television networks would hate that open hole in their schedules during the fall and having less eyes inside watching TV during the summer. Summer is prime vacation time.

I agree. But we're talking about the NHL. There is no integrity or common sense. A winter sport played in the spring and summer?
It's about money. Nothing else. And for that reason I can see this becoming reality.


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[Cardot]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I understand wanting to avoid the NFL. But with the new plan, they would also bump against the Olympics or World Cup every couple years.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I understand wanting to avoid the NFL. But with the new plan, they would also bump against the Olympics or World Cup every couple years.

I'm sure they'd take every few years of competition vs every year of it. Not to mention many Olympics aren't in this time zone so most of these primetime viewings aren't live.

I really don't know what the Olympics will be like going forward. Same with World Cups. It was hard enough at times to get hosts, and from a financial standpoint I don't know why anyone would want it (how many countries have been better off financially after hosting an Olympics and didnt end up with debt and abandoned venues?). Now with the pandemic always in the back of people's minds, they might be much more cautious about these types of things.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

They will either be smaller or only hosted by propaganda hungry states that see it as a way to clean their image.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

They will either be smaller or only hosted by propaganda hungry states that see it as a way to clean their image.

I like the other idea suggested I believe by NA media.

Take the global event to a whole new level and have countries bid on EVENTS. Instead of making China or Italy or whoever hosts events have to build arenas for hockey or getting enough venues for snowboarding, speed skating and all that, let diff countries and cities bid.

Canada or USA bidding for hockey, other countries bidding for other events too.

So instead of 1 country taking on every sport, the load gets divided up. And even better, each country who hosts events can actually pack the venues and not need to build new ones because clearly you're bidding on events you're good at, you have a venue for already, and/or is popular with your crowd.

Makes too much sense to me. Less money on a global scale needing to be spent to get new venues, and more money made as a whole by being more able to sell tickets.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I like the other idea suggested I believe by NA media.

Take the global event to a whole new level and have countries bid on EVENTS. Instead of making China or Italy or whoever hosts events have to build arenas for hockey or getting enough venues for snowboarding, speed skating and all that, let diff countries and cities bid.

Canada or USA bidding for hockey, other countries bidding for other events too.

So instead of 1 country taking on every sport, the load gets divided up. And even better, each country who hosts events can actually pack the venues and not need to build new ones because clearly you're bidding on events you're good at, you have a venue for already, and/or is popular with your crowd.

Makes too much sense to me. Less money on a global scale needing to be spent to get new venues, and more money made as a whole by being more able to sell tickets.

Would "work" but I think one of the things that make the olympics unique is the fact that you collect everything under one roof. The performers from different sports get to meet eachother, spectators can watch things they would never otherwise watch etc. It would kind of kill off some of the uniqueness of it all. But ofcourse in a pandemic world it is a good option to keep events separated. But it won't be the same...

[Money99]

Re: NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

I understand wanting to avoid the NFL. But with the new plan, they would also bump against the Olympics or World Cup every couple years.

Another point I agree with.
But again, this is the NHL we're talking about.
The NHL said no to the Olympics only 2 years ago. And they could run the World Cup in November when it's actually the proper time to play hockey.
There really is no predicting what the NHL thinks or does.
You'd have to throw all common sense out the window to get to the root of their logic.

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