As of this writing, NHL games have been cancelled through January 14. The NHLPA has taken measures to allow decertification, opening the way for anti-trust cases, or, in the best case, a possible agreement to end the three month old lockout.
Great...so what happens if the lockout does end?
At best the season would be shortened in terms of number of games, and lengthened in terms of calendar months. For a league that claims that it can't make money, is this really a solution? Obviously it depends on the terms of a possible agreement, but will a 40-50 game schedule do anything to help the league's credibility - and more importantly to the league - it's financial strength?
What kind of support will be around for a league that has completely cancelled one season, and cancelled games in 2 seasons in the span of a decade? Why should there be any support?
The NFL has had labor struggles, but was able to come back with little to no ramifications. The NBA has had labor struggles, but was able to come back to a shortened season that had fans and non-fans interested.
The NHL can't expect either. A shortened NHL season just means fewer fans in the stands, and fewer games to get gate revenue. The NHL needs a better solution should there be a season in 2013.
I give you...the 2013 NHL Tournament...
Ok, so the name needs work, and probably a sponsor. Let someone who gets paid by the NHL figure that out.
What I am proposing, is a tournament, for all the teams in the league, to decide the 2013 NHL Champion.
(Note: There is no way I would let the winner get the Stanley Cup. Let this serve as a way to shame Gary Bettman. Let future generations have to ask why there is no 2013 Stanley Cup winner, and let the answer simply be...Bettman)
Keep the conferences. Put all the names into a bowl, and televise the seeding. All seeds (including the top seeds) are pulled out of the bowl, 1-15 in each conference, with each team that is pulled out first getting the first round bye. Every team seeded 1-16 in each conference, every matchup is a 7 game series. Games played every day, with off days in every series, but more importantly...every team has a chance for a championship.
A season of only playoffs.
The 2013 NHL season.
You're welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment