Idea for the NHL of the future

The recent excitement over the Olympics and USA hockey has got me thinking about how the NHL can take advantage of this.  Here's my idea....

2 conferences.   United States Conference/Canadian Conference

12 teams in each conference.  (Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Philidelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues for the US Conference.....Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Winnepeg Re-Jets, Quebec Re-Nordiques, and 4 teams from other larger cities from the Canadian Conference)

What this allows the teams to do is have more pure talent since it is not spread out over 30 teams.  Which in turn means the fans have a greater interest in their team.  Those cities which have the teams are arguably the only hockey locations in the United States.

The regular season would consist of a team playing each other team in their conference 3 times, and the opposing conference 3 times for a total of 69 games (coincidence only). 

Playoffs are the top 6 teams from each Conference.  Top 2 teams get a first round bye.  3rd seed plays 6th seed, 4th plays 5th.  Best of 3 in the First Round.  Makes each one of those games HIGH intensity.  Second Round is 1st seed vs. either 4 or 5 and 2nd seed vs. either 3 or 6.  Best of 5 games in the 2nd round.  Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are Best of 7.

There is no reason why the NHL should even come close to the end of May/June.  Shorten up the season, consolidate the talent pool.  Capitalize on the "rivalry" aspect of the game.

there is no way the lop off 6 teams (120 jobs) owners or players wouldnt do it

And I like the long season. The more hockey the better

So what you're saying is

a) More teams in a Canada
b) Reduce the total number of teams

People have been saying this for years.  Bettman has ruined the league. 

NJDevils....there are probably twice as many teams that are losing money anyways.  I agree about the jobs and all that, but really that's the only  negative I can see with it.  There is just absolutely NO reason for teams in Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, San Jose, Los Angeles etc.

The one thing IMO the NHL does well is the rivalries.  Having the whole USA vs. Canada deal would just intensify this that much more.

Leafs...hockey is just simply a game that cannot spread to climates that do not support it.

You're preaching the the choir man.  And the talent pool is so diluted now.  Hockey lost me as a hardcore fan during the strike.  I've tried to get back into it but its hard watching this crap on most nights. 

These kinds of tourneys and the last 2 rounds of the playoffs are the only things I watch religiously now.

the league is a bit water down tbho-but that my ho-

anyway, good thought, still find it hard as NJ said to minimize the jobs. hey could lose alot of that talent pool to the ___ L

.. more talent on every team

 

 

It would also help the players/owners in a way because there would be a lot less expenses and they would be able to increase the salary cap

exactly

Bettman is the biggest joke as a commissioner in the history of sports.  The NHL should be Canada just like the NFL is USA.  The only teams i would keep in the USA are the original NHL teams Chicago, Detroit, New York and Boston.

I'll put a call in to Bettman right now

Good idea, but you are forgetting one important thing. There are too many Canadian players on US teams and US players up north. How would you feel playing against your country ?

Great idea but variables have been suggested for a few decades now...Buttman has been watering down thne league for years now and there were others before him...Money Rules..

more teams more revenue sharing

Revenue sharing only works if there is REVENUE TO SHARE!!! 

The NHL absolutely needs to switch things up completely.  That was the one slight glitch I saw in the plan however was the higher amount of European players.  I don't know how they would take to this rivarly.

But seriously, the NHL should take advantage of this.  An ideal situation (although I know it's never going to happen) would be to put everyone in the NHL into an entry draft like you would in Madden NFL video games.  Each team would get a random pick, and you would have to pick up the contract of that player.  Go from there.  You get the 1st pick in Round 1...you move to the 24th pick in Round 2

They need to contract a team in each division.  But we all know the union will never allow that.

The LA Kings do just fine and have done so since 1967.

Maybe we can get rid of a few meaningless states like New Hampshire and Delaware and save money by combining them with real states?

Your Post #16 is a joke right?

You are brainwashed by your video games and have a twinge of communist in ya as well.

Bettman was sent here from the NBA to do just that(Stern Banished him ) .....

He has done a Great Job Wrecking the NHL ----

aaaaa

What about Buffalo ?????

Do You have any Clue How BIG Hockey is here ......

 

I can't really argue with the LA Kings being a relatively quality team since they have come into the league.  The attendance is respectable, and has been balanced for the better part of the decade.  But who was the last star that played for the Kings?

As far as being "brainwashed" by the video games that is completely ass backwards.  I prefaced that statement by saying I know it would never happen.  It would be a so-called "ideal" world where every team essentially started from scratch despite the fact that teams have been in existence for over 75 years.

I just love hockey, and love the NHL, and would hate for them to continue to make the same mistakes they have in the past. 

Which is why I added Buffalo in as part of the 12 team USA Conference!!

How you been Double?  T.O. stay or go?  Think Miller can keep up this hot streak for the Sabes in the regular season?

Well they did have some scrub named Gretsky.

"Playoffs are the top 6 teams from each Conference.  Top 2 teams get a first round bye.  3rd seed plays 6th seed, 4th plays 5th.  Best of 3 in the First Round.  Makes each one of those games HIGH intensity.  Second Round is 1st seed vs. either 4 or 5 and 2nd seed vs. either 3 or 6.  Best of 5 games in the 2nd round.  Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals are Best of 7. "

They have already made these mistakes in the past kiddo.

 

Before thier time Lippsman.......