Math

Apparently not before Jan. 2021 for a starting point with a Winter Classic being the first game of the season, because there will be training camps again and the need to have a break in between. At that point, either it will be a shortened regular season, or they will go to a full season but with playoffs and SC final later on again. I've heard some people working in sports entertainment businesses, they think that "normality" would occur in two to three years from now, not before. We don't know, I think we have to remain rational and pragmatic to this. For now, there's no evidence so far for the media's favorite "second wave" that would wipe everything out. There's measures and protocols in place that will remain in place, the situation is very different compared to March where the crisis was widely underestimated. The League and the economy in general cannot afford further cancellations and shut-downs. We still can't count on a possible vaccine. Maybe an efficient vaccine will be found this fall or a bit later, maybe not. The plan is to blend the current SRAS-Cov-2 virus with the 2003 SRAS to broader the spectrum of actions. One thing is sure: the League will never cancel multiple seasons. That would mean the death of the NHL.

Well it depends... I heard some broadcasts that had this debate about "will the winner be legitimate towards other SC winners and the public opinion", most of panelists tend to "no asterisk". I'd say the same because all teams are facing the same extraordinary conditions, everybody in the same boat. You have to get back to training camps, and then to playoffs hockey mode right after that in empty arenas will all the harsh logistics involved. The challenges and adversity might be even bigger than in a normal situation. However, I'll put a big bold red asterisk on a team like Montréal or Chicago if they win because they had almost no chance to make the playoffs. Taking teams ranked 17-24 is a master of unfairness and pure BS.

I usually don't use emojis because I'm too angry with them.

And the 'Yotes. But only if they wear their Kachina jersey

Talent and equity, so to speak, and hoping for a bright and clear sweep in this particular series.

It's cliché, but everything can happen once you're in, especially in that extraordinary situation. All counters are set to zero, it's like a new season where unexpected teams are on top of the standings before fading out. In that context, as much as I'm pissed to admit it, Montréal has a reasonable chance to beat the Pens for example.

I think we'll see after the preliminary round if the season resumes, as the preliminary round is not part of the playoffs as Montréal fans used to shout it out loud.

Playing in empty arenas will give an unacceptable advantage to the Panthers who will feel at home regardless to the hub city they're playing in.

Good point. And even if I despise this whole nonsense solution, I'll be a b!tch and watch it. Because Buttman is God. All governments, doctors, health staff are fighting with this pandemic, trying desperately to put out those fires, but He has the solution. Send 1000+ people in some place in the US and Canada, along with the NHL crew, players, their families, jam-packed them in hotels and everything will be allright. I heard that the final word will come to the players through the NHLPA. So it's still theoretically possible that they turn this down at the end If I'm not mistaken.

Because by extending to 24 teams, you include big markets like Montréal, NY Rangers and Chicago. It's only a money thing. But my understanding is: that stupid best-of-5 qualifying round is not part of the playoffs, technically speaking. The losers of this series won't be listed as qualified teams for the playoffs in the record and stats. That being said, yes, screw that, just cancel the goddamn season and try to have a more "normal" 2020-2021 season.

Teams like Chicago and Montreal had almost zero chances to get in the playoffs and now they are in, having a shot at the Cup. If they lose in the preliminary round, they would be in the draft lottery... The 24-team format allow big market like MTL, CHI and NYR to be lucky losers and back into contention. What did Buttman say? Oh yes: "I want to make clear that the health and safety of our players, coaches, essential support staff and our communities are paramount". Sure... If this really happen, next season is planned to start no earlier than late December/early January.

Me being sarcastic or me being a lady ?

Zajac is way too young and inexperienced. Zucker for a conditional 7th rounder and sign Chara as a UFA with a 5-yr/$7.5M per with a MNC/NTC contract.

IMO Top-6 center, like a player able to play center in the first 6 lines of the roster.

I watched him a couple of times in the LHJMQ when he was pretty dominant in St-John, in a team that was dominant at that time. I wasn't expecting him to install himself so quick in the NHL but after the Karlsson trade people immediately saw him as a replacement. I also attend some Sens games and he managed to succeed in that quick jump in the league. Also on the plus side, he's playing in a trainwreck, unfortunately, but NOT in Montréal, away from distractions and all the negative pressure that surrounds the Habs. Still needs to work on his defensive game but he has a good margin of progression. I think he can be a regular 60+ pts Defenseman.

it's somehow the new reality of these days' contracts. I'm not so shocked because he will be Ottawa's D-man #1 for the years to come and it's the price to pay for that. I'm pretty sure he will increase his stats as well.

I think the League stated than this will be done when Seattle comes in. Coyotes to the Central and Seattle in the Pacific. That being said, I think the Coyotes' future is settled. Once they move in a new area in downtown Phoenix, things are gonna be on the track and they will remain there unless a major catastrophe happens. Maybe Buttman's message shook a bit the organisation when he was surprisingly vague about the future in Arizona, in opposite as when the was speaking about the Hurricanes', insisting that the franchise will "never, ever, ever move elsewhere".

Amongst all keywords related to the Wild's current situation (GM, owner, Coach,...), one word is the centerpiece IMO: Culture. I honestly don't know what it takes to have a bit of a resolution to this giant mess, but one thing has to change: the team culture. If you want to change that, you have to remove every malignant cell in the entire body. If you let just one single sick entity in the system, the cancer will spread again, soon or later. I'm really afraid that this can only be validated when the Parisé/Suter era is over, when it's absolutely certain that these guys (and some other) have an absolute zero influence on anything that touches closer or farther the franchise. In that sense, letting the assistant GM in charge for the whole next season seems to be the least worst option.

Nice try, but it's not the 1st of April. Oh wait...

Even NHL.com uses sarcasm in their team reset articles. They wrote "key substractions", "Bitetto" and "Åberg" in the same sentence.

That's why you have all those beautiful job descriptions such as "second general advisor to the special team assistant coach", "special consultant of the third alternate scout assistant" or "second executive assistant to the alternate back-up goalie advisor". Seems that you are absolutely essential to the organization, but in fact you are just there and probably cut the lemons or prepare the warm-up towels.

I vote for the same circus than happened in the 1st round: Sharks' sweep and I put 10 bucks on it. If I win, my summer vacation will be paid.

Really close series there, but I feel the Bruins a just a bit superior (experience, depth). The insertion of Backes seems to work, Rask did great against the BJ. Bruins to the limit, in 7.

First I thought it was a typical whining Québec thing: "Boohohooo, we lost, we have been robbed by the mean WC teams, it's the league's fault, let's have a second chance, we deserve it". But... no. And if the 2nd round also finish with upsetting surprises like the Blues out in 4 and the Bruins out in 4, would there be a "NHL Bracket Challenge Third Chance", and then a "Fourth chance" if the results don't please the majority of the predictions ?!?! Lame and Stupid. In that sense, why not replaying the 1st round for real ? All division winners are out, it's not normal, let's replay this. I'm 2-8 overall in the first round, and that could have been worse if I haven't picked the Blues in 6, my only fully correct prediction... And the guys who didn't pick TB for the cup, well, congratulations to them. There's one poster who picked the Isles as SC winner, and they actually win, big up and much respect for him, no more no less. I'll pass my turn on the losers' 2nd chance bracket.

The first thing to do in the offseason is to kidnap Fenton, Leipold and all the scouting staff around the 30th of June and put them in a bunker with no possibility to have any contact in the outer world (cut electricity, cellphones, internet, etc.). Then, free them around the 10th of July when we are absolutely sure that all old overpaid UFA have been signed elsewhere. Finally, use the usual BS to justify this ("it was a Coup from the Russians", "It's the NSA", "North Korea was behind all that", "Neil Armstrong never walked on he Moon", blah blah blah.)