Nice to have a healthy discussion here. Discussion is more important than poll for sure, I just figured getting a poll initially helps get a quick sense of where everyone stands but those are not firm options especially with feedback so far. For now I want to say no decision will be imminent either way, as I see both sides and taking into account what is best for league health. Unlike playoff change, which I think I am more set on with my last post, here we can take more time for sure. Maybe in the coming weeks right around when season starts I can a new poll with additional options brought up and ultimately decide among those. Ultimately no impact until next offseason at the earliest anyway.
I do realize not everyone might be happy with decision 1 way or another and that is totally fair and expected. Since I knew some would oppose increase in general, was thinking maybe only doing so in 2 years would be a fair compromise as it would allow for more time to adjust and less of a immediate impact on picks (though I think making picks more valuable can't hurt). I will say, I do also like the 7 spot increase starting next year and going from there on a year to year bases.
Backyard is a good example brought up to show differences because there it is very difficult to actually improve your minors with bidding not allowed on guys with zero NHL experience. Specs can only be obtained through draft or bid on eventually when they make their NHL debut and as such less spots makes a lot more sense. If you trade picks you are stuck with a weak minors for most part in BY. With our setup not only do we have full 7 rounds of picks but the fact we can then also bid RC via FA opens up many ways to build minors, so my thinking was no harm in giving more wiggle room to wait on some guys you would otherwise be forced to drop. Even with a increase of say 5-10 spots there will still be plenty of tough decision to be made. Also you really never know who will actually pan out but having a little more room to wait on some guys who are 2-3+ years away and question marks in terms of what they become doesn't hurt. I am sure most of us see upside and like potential in all our minors which is why we own who we own, but how many will become true stars is anyone's guess in in a few years we will all have guys we held for a while that will never even make it up. My thinking is why not allow for a few more spots for long shots but within reason (I agree a huge increase especially immediately is also not way to go).