Solving the schedule--Big Time!

Everybody wants to see Sid the Kid. What is a league to do? Here's one hockey fan's idea.

The playoffs have long been described as the second season. Regular season success is often considered meaningless in comparison. So, why not make the two season's official.

The first season would be named the President's tournament and begin in October, running through to the end of January. Each team would play 58 games, 29 home and 29 road. I'm sure you can figure by those numbers that the schedule would consist of one home and one road game against each of the other teams in the league. A truly balanced schedule. The team with the best record would win the President's trophy.

The second season would be the quest for the Stanley Cup. It would begin in late February and run through May. Notice the natural break between seasons to allow for world tournaments and the like. The format of Lord Stanley's tournament would be a little bit more complicated. The 30 teams would be divided into two tiers based on performance from the previous year's second season and the President's tournament.

First, the top 8 teams from the previous year's top tier teams would be invited back. The top 4 teams from the previous year's second tier would be promoted to the top tier. Rounding out the last 4 spots would be the top 4 teams from the preceding President's tournament that had not otherwise qualified by way of the aforementioned 12 spots. The top tier would consist of these 16 teams divided into four divisions of four. The divisions would be based mainly on the geographical proximity of the group to north,south, east, and west. The 8 returning teams would choose their preferred division so that two spots in each division were filled. The champion would have first choice, then the runner-up, then the other semifinalists based on their point totals, then the other 4 quarterfinalists based on their point totals. The 4 promoted teams would be divided into each division, as would the 4 qualifiers from the President's tournament. Each team would be seeded in their division based on their performance from the President's tournament. Each team would play the other teams within its own division 7 times (3 or 4 home and 3 or 4 road with the higher seeds having home advantage). The playoff round would consist of the top two teams from each division. North winner vs East second (A), East winner vs South second (B), South winner vs West second (C), and West winner vs North second (D). These would be a best of seven series. The winners of each series would compete in a semi final best of seven series, A vs B and C vs D. The Stanley Cup final would be a best of seven series between the two semi-final winners.

The second tier would consist of 14 teams divided into two divisions, alternating years between North/South and East/West. Each team would play the other teams in its division 4 times (2 home and 2 road). The top four teams in each division would cross-over in the first round of the tier two playoff. North first vs South fourth, etc. The teams that qualify for the semi finals would also qualify for promotion to the top tier for the following season.

Its a whole new approach to scheduling. I think it would make for an exciting competition. Also, notice that better performance results in more home games. Revenue sharing would balance this advantage so the real benefit is for the fans.

This concept likely will never see light at NHL head office. However, offering creativity might at the very least generate some discussion.