NHLPA/NHL Takes Major Step Toward 24-Team Playoff Becoming Reality
The NHLPA Executive Board has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format, subject to reaching an overall agreement with the League on resuming the 2019-20 season: https://t.co/SIzQYyooEE pic.twitter.com/9TftmApiGJ
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) May 23, 2020
To recap: the NHLPA has agreed to the format itself even though there are other important issues and elements to negotiate. The NHL now will go through its own process and I would expect some form of announcement within the next few days.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 23, 2020
We received a bit of good news for NHL fans tonight, as we enter into yet another weekend of coronavirus summer… The NHLPA announced a vote to move forward with an incredible 24-team NHL Playoff, to crown a Stanley Cup champion for the shortened 2019-20 season.
The NHL is looking at a 2 or 4 hub city format and the the league should be announcing something more official in the coming days, according to what I just heard on ESPN.
Apparently, there are still a bunch of details to be worked out and the announcement doesn’t seem overly positive, if we’re being honest… BUT WHO THE FUCK CARES???????
We still have hope for Minnesota Wild hockey (and possibly Kirill Kaprizov) this summer/fall. I don’t need any percentages or “Debbie Downers” to ruin my mood with their statistics or masks.
I just want to go to sleep tonight, dreaming about Kaprizov starting his NHL career early, to skate circles around surprised defensemen, while he and Fiala lead the Minnesota Wild to the most unique Stanley Cup ever awarded.
The Wild aren’t the only team that currently sits outside of the normal playoff bracket, but would be in if this 24-team format is adopted for this season.
In other words, yes, the Blackhawks will be in the playoffs (or play-in, or postseason, or whatever term you want to use) if it indeed comes to fruition.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 23, 2020
Possible bracket? For nhl 24 team playoff? pic.twitter.com/LbOB9aXS0O
— Jeff Howe (@sportsdenver) May 23, 2020
I can already hear the sounds of hockey as I finish this blog… In fact, hockey might be the best sport to watch without fans just because of the sound. Fans or no fans… just give me sports back.
Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan
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