Predators forward Matt Duchene wants the NHL to stick to a more traditional playoff format – even if it means “somebody’s gonna get screwed.'
If the league were to forgo resuming regular-season games, the 24-team format would eliminate any controversies around how to determine which 16 teams would qualify in a traditional playoff.
“There’s no fair way to say who should be in and who should be out because of not playing the full season, not playing the full 82, but for lack of a better word somebody’s gonna get screwed,” Duchene said. “I believe let’s keep it as traditional as possible. I’d love to see us jump to a 16-team playoff. Normal playoff, maybe play a little more frequently because guys are gonna be fresh and you can play a game at 3 o’clock on Friday and at 7 on Saturday and there’s no travel.
Duchene’s Predators sat in the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference prior to the NHL’s indefinite hiatus, so his team would qualify regardless of which format the league lands on. “I just think you gotta keep as much integrity as possible,” Duchene added. “You don’t want to have a COVID Cup and I’m worried that if we force this thing and try and it’s a little gimmicky and it’s not quite right, whoever wins the Cup is gonna have people try to take it away from them for their whole lives and guys don’t deserve that. I feel very passionately about this part of things.
“I think it’s sacrilegious if we don’t appreciate what did and make it as big of a challenge and with as much integrity as possible. … I know guys are going to want this to mean something if we do come back.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Premier League announces six positive COVID-19 tests - Sportsnet.caThe Premier League announced Tuesday that six people from three clubs have tested positive for COVID-19 after the league tested 748 players and club staff on Sunday and Monday.
Read more »
Reopening could hurt Canada's poorestWorking from home may become the new culture for office worker, but for the lowest-paid, minimum-wage earning working class, this won't be possible. — via healthing_ca
Read more »
Coronavirus Update: Italy reopens but economic fears remainMay 18: U.S. promises review of WHO over COVID-19 response; Moderna vaccine trial shows promise
Read more »