NHL: What Do You Think of This Idea?

I love listening to the radio online and as I always do after Canuck games, I go listen to the Vancouver radio station for post game interviews, etc.

Anyway, last night they were saying that the NBA was thinking that, instead of the first place team taking on the eighth, as the playoffs are done currently (second against seventh, third against sixth, and fourth against fifth),  the top four teams would choose their opponent.

And because the NBA was thinking about this, I thought that the NHL should also look into it because as they said last night: “What is good for the NBA, seems to be good for the NHL.”

So, instead of the first place team in the West (San Jose Sharks) having to go against the current eighth place team (Nashville Predators), you let the Sharks choose between the bottom four.

So why would a team slated to play the eighth place team in the playoffs choose to play the seventh, sixth, or fifth place team?

Well, perhaps the first place team has a great record against the fifth place team, and feels that it would be easier to take them out. Or maybe the sixth place team is coming into the playoffs on a losing streak and the eighth place team is on a hot streak.

On the radio, they were also talking about travel and series length. They said (which I agree with) you can’t play teams up to game six or seven throughout the playoffs and expect to win. It takes a toll on your body. That, combined with having to travel back and forth between the two stadiums for an entire series, isn’t good.

So, if you’re the San Jose Sharks (first) and you get the choice to choose a team to play against, from the bottom four, do you want to play a team like Nashville (eighth) and have to do the whole travel thing, especially if it gets into game six or seven? Or would you choose Anaheim (seventh)?

I’m not saying the NHL will ever adopt this idea, but what do you think about it?

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!