K’s Weblog

I heard an absolutely brilliant plan a couple of nights ago for re-doing the NHL schedule. Driving home listening to Brook Ward on the Team 1040 and he said that he could solve the NHL’s scheduling problem with one simple realignment of the way the games are organized. After listening to what he had to say, I was in complete agreement. Here is what he outlined:

• Play 30 games against teams in the other conference, one game per team per arena
• Play 32 games against teams in your division, four games per team per arena
• Play 20 games against teams in your conference (other divisions) two games per team per arena

At first blush this makes total sense; and Brooks suggestion would also load as many of the 30 games from the other conference at the begining of the season which would save as many of the critical intra-division “four-pointers” as possible for the stretch run.

• 30 games / 15 teams = 2 games each
• 20 games / 10 teams = 2 games each **Brook had said 4 games each
• 32 games / 4 teams = 8 games each

So while I agree the theory is sound, the math is weak… But I still hope that Gary Bettman will actually take some advice, and read this post (or listen to Brook’s show). This would greatly improve the satisfaction of the fans as they would have the opportunity to see each team’s elite player in action in their own buliding.

Well done Brook!

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