24 replies to this topic

[damned]

OK -- let's take the glass-half-full approach. Because that is, as you know, what us sports writers do best: Stay positive.

So let's say they wrap up these CBA negotiations in the next few days, and we still get some kind of a season. Word is, 56 games is what we'd be talking about. All games against your own conference -- so no Vancouver-Boston this year, unless it happens in June.

So, if you're still with us on a 56-game season, which teams have the advantage?

http://www.sportsnet...ortened_season/

[damned]

I'm not sure I buy into the idea that teams with more players currently playing having that much of an edge if a season starts.

What do you think?

[Erik C.]

Personally, I think that goalies (doesn't matter which team) would have an advantage. Particularly the veterans that require a reduced work schedule and the ones that usually get in 70-plus games a season. Both, in theory, would be at their peak come playoff time with enough juice left for a deep run.

[Old School Hockey]

No team can afford any significant player injury issues in a short season. A starting goalie being lost could cost a team positioning and even a playoff berth.

[damned]

Personally, I think that goalies (doesn't matter which team) would have an advantage. Particularly the veterans that require a reduced work schedule and the ones that usually get in 70-plus games a season. Both, in theory, would be at their peak come playoff time with enough juice left for a deep run.

Where I'm in agreement is that I really think it comes down to goalies as well, but I take a slightly different approach. I think the goalies are in the toughest spot in being ready for an NHL season. The teams that get the hot starts from their tenders in the early going will be sitting pretty I think.

[Left Wing Loner]

I think the shortened season will really favor the St. Louis Blues. They start really hot and then fall off significantly.
I don't think it will be enough of an advantage to net them more than decent playoff seeding though.

[CoyoteQ]

I think the shortened season will really favor the St. Louis Blues. They start really hot and then fall off significantly.
I don't think it will be enough of an advantage to net them more than decent playoff seeding though.

The Wild and Sharks come to mind and usually do that as well.

[Left Wing Loner]

I don't think 56 games is short enough to help the Minnesota Wild.

[CoyoteQ]

I don't think 56 games is short enough to help the Minnesota Wild.

+100

[damned]

I don't think 56 games is short enough to help the Minnesota Wild.

[Erik C.]

Where I'm in agreement is that I really think it comes down to goalies as well, but I take a slightly different approach. I think the goalies are in the toughest spot in being ready for an NHL season. The teams that get the hot starts from their tenders in the early going will be sitting pretty I think.

When you're talking about a sprint to the finish instead of a marathon, I can see that line of thinking.

[Caniac59]

"Edmonton, Carolina and Chicago will have a big advantage. They have a lot of young key players playing in North America on the small ice, getting a ton of ice time. It's a big difference from playing in Europe," he said. "If we start in two weeks, there will be guys who have played over 30 games, and guys who have played zero."

I like this Mark Spector guy, he really gets it !!!

[Eastcoastcane]

Well seeing as how the Canes don't start showing up till after December I like our chance haha

[Bubba83]

I feel like the Sharks would have a nice little advantage since we're one of the oldest average age teams in the league and tend to really rely on the top two lines a lot to get our scoring done. Maybe those guys wouldn't seem so tuckered out entering the playoffs this time around.

[Vader]

While I can go along with the general idea that teams that have more guys who are currently playing may have an advantage over teams that have fewer - especially given the incredibly short training camp we would have, I don't agree with the concept that the advantage goes to guys playing in the AHL over Europe. Yes, the smaller rink in the AHL matches the rink size of the NHL, but a large percentage of the guys who are playing in Europe are veterans and superstars. For them after part of a season on the European-sized ice, coming back to the smaller rink should be like coming back to what they are used to.

Although it comes down to streaks in a shortened season. One good hot streak can propel you much higher than it would in a "normal" season, just because there are fewer games to even things out. Same thing goes for one bad cold streak - you don't have the time to make up for it.

[Craig Simpson]

No team can afford any significant player injury issues in a short season. A starting goalie being lost could cost a team positioning and even a playoff berth.

That will definitely be a big factor, and a bigger risk if the games are compacted more to fit more in. Time to heal will be tougher.

[Caniac59]

Well seeing as how the Canes don't start showing up till after December I like our chance haha

That is soooooo true

[thecoffeecake]

Detroit

[Mitch Pressley]

Detriot dont count any size season favors them for the most part

[Twiggy]

I can actually see the Sharks winning a 48 game season. They finally win the damn thing and there'd always be an asterix next to it!