2020-2021 Playoff Adjustment

[Vik]

Based on everything here is what we are going with this year (left original post striked through)

Confirmed Playoff Format

Regular season consists of 13 weeks

8 out of 16 teams will make the playoffs:
- The top-2 seeds in each conference
- 4 Wild-Card spots, which are the 4 next best teams regardless of conference
- No byes

The Playoffs last a total of 3 weeks (Only 1 week finals)

Round 1: WildCard Round (Scoring period 14  - April 12th to April 18th)
Higher overall 1 seed between Sedin/Gilmour vs WC4
Lower overall 1 seed between Sedin/Gilmour vs WC3
Higher overall 2 seed between Sedin/Gilmour vs WC2
Lower overall 2 seed between Sedin/Gilmour vs WC1

Round 2: Semi Finals - Highest seeds play lowest seeds in brackets (Scoring period 15  - April 19th to April 25th)
Example:
1st Sedin vs. 2nd Sedin
1st Gilmour vs. 2nd Gilmour

Round 3: Finals (1 Week Match-up) (Scoring period 16  - April 26th to May 8th)
ie. 1st Sedin vs 1st Gilmour



We have 16 weeks and only 56 games of regular season hockey this year which is not too bad all things considered, however, definitely requires us to adjust playoffs.

Looking into it, I think the 1st thing that needs to be changed is finals matchup being 1 week instead of 2. Having 2 week finals is nice but just doesn't make enough sense with shortened season.

After this, I was originally looking into proposing 2 different options for vote. What I considered was 1 option where we cut back teams making playoffs to 8 and/or a 3 instead of 4 week playoff round to increase regular season value. However, ultimately did not think of anything I like (every scenario looked bad mostly left with odd teams in a certain round and giving any single team 2 rounds of bye doesn't make sense).

As such, for now keeping it a very simple change as below with just cutting back finals. If no major objections can stick with it. Although, I am certainly open to feedback and other suggestions if anyone can come up with a better scenario. I do think 56 games there is a strong case to be made to go 8 teams making playoffs if logistics work. Also for now Fantrax is not reflecting any playoffs so will just wait to see what the verdict is and update accordingly. We do have a bit of time to discuss and brainstorm.

Tentative proposed playoff change for this year only

Regular season consists of 12 weeks

10 out of 16 teams will make the playoffs:
- The top-3 seeds in each conference
- 4 Wild-Card spots, which are the 4 next best teams regardless of conference
- The top-3 seeds in each Conference will be rewarded with a 1st Round BYE

The Playoffs last a total of 4 weeks (Only 1 week finals)

Round 1 Matchups - WildCard Round (Scoring period 13 - April 5th to April 11th)
1st, 2nd, 3rd Sedin Conference - Bye  /  1st, 2nd, 3rd Gilmour Conference - Bye
WC 1 vs WC 4
WC 2 vs WC 3

Round 2: Highest seeds play lowest seeds in brackets (Scoring period 14  - April 12th to April 18th)
Example:
1st Sedin vs. WC 2  /  1st Gilmour vs. WC 1
2nd Sedin vs. 3rd Sedin  /  2nd Gilmour vs. 3rd Gilmour

Round 3: Conference Finals (Scoring period 15  - April 19th to April 25th)
Example:
1st Sedin vs. 2nd Sedin  /  1st Gilmour vs. 2nd Gilmour

Round 4: Finals (1 Week Match-up) (Scoring period 16  - April 26th to May 8th)
ie. 1st Sedin vs 1st Gilmour

[Shannonlwalker2]

Honestly, I think anything greater than 8 teams (50% of the league) in the Playoffs is excessive.   The post season should be a reward and not a participation trophy situation.    The more playoff teams we have the more watered-down/ devalued the regular season becomes.    JMO   

[Vik]

Honestly, I think anything greater than 8 teams (50% of the league) in the Playoffs is excessive.   The post season should be a reward and not a participation trophy situation.    The more playoff teams we have the more watered-down/ devalued the regular season becomes.    JMO

It was previously set up as 10, but I do see the point. For this year in particular 8 would make more sense for sure. It's the specific breakdown that is a little tricky, but if there is enough others in support I'm sure there is something we can come up with.

I do have a drastic idea with 7 teams making it and only top overall seed getting bye 1st round. Thought maybe a bit too drastic to go 10 to 7, but thinking some more might be good way to go at least this year and reavaulate in full season. On mobile now but breakdown could work so it's 3 playoff round and we do get the extra regular season game in.

[jmtrops]

It was previously set up as 10, but I do see the point. For this year in particular 8 would make more sense for sure. It's the specific breakdown that is a little tricky, but if there is enough others in support I'm sure there is something we can come up with.

I do have a drastic idea with 7 teams making it and only top overall seed getting bye 1st round. Thought maybe a bit too drastic to go 10 to 7, but thinking some more might be good way to go at least this year and reavaulate in full season. On mobile now but breakdown could work so it's 3 playoff round and we do get the extra regular season game in.

I think with 8 teams and 3 weeks for the playoffs is good. I would also not mind top 4 teams and 2 week playoffs

[Vik]

I think with 8 teams and 3 weeks for the playoffs is good. I would also not mind top 4 teams and 2 week playoffs

Do you mind posting specific breakdown for 8 if you have 1 in mind. Nothing really made sense to me but maybe I missed something. What I had always resulted in 1 team getting 2 weeks of bye unless we do no 1st round byes.

Even in a shortened season 4 is a huge change not huge on this.

Perhaps my idea of 7 and 3 week might be way to go. I can post breakdown for this verision later when jump back on comp.

[shooter47]

The simplest things seems to be just do an 8 team playoff with no byes. Top 3 from each conference make the playoffs plus the next best two teams (regardless of division) as wildcards. This limits the number of weeks for the playoffs (3 total) which is important in a shortened season. In a shortened season I don't see a need for the top team to get a buy. Also with a shortened season you have a higher likely hood of 3 teams tying for the top regular season record.

[Vik]

The simplest things seems to be just do an 8 team playoff with no byes. Top 3 from each conference make the playoffs plus the next best two teams (regardless of division) as wildcards. This limits the number of weeks for the playoffs (3 total) which is important in a shortened season. In a shortened season I don't see a need for the top team to get a buy. Also with a shortened season you have a higher likely hood of 3 teams tying for the top regular season record.

Good points. I was trying to think of a scenario with byes but really we can easily go without it given the circumstances.

8 and no bye is definitely simple and straight forward, plus I also like 3 vs 4 week playoffs.

This is what I'd actually lean toward right now.

[jlapo11]

Good points. I was trying to think of a scenario with byes but really we can easily go without it given the circumstances.

8 and no bye is definitely simple and straight forward, plus I also like 3 vs 4 week playoffs.

This is what I'd actually lean toward right now.

Support this option

[Rob]

The simplest things seems to be just do an 8 team playoff with no byes. Top 3 from each conference make the playoffs plus the next best two teams (regardless of division) as wildcards. This limits the number of weeks for the playoffs (3 total) which is important in a shortened season. In a shortened season I don't see a need for the top team to get a buy. Also with a shortened season you have a higher likely hood of 3 teams tying for the top regular season record.

 

Also, for future years, we should keep the playoffs to 8 teams.  If there's a way to work in a 2 week final (not this year) - I always felt this is most fair, especially with playoff teams benching players in the final regular season weeks.  Good to have a larger sample size for our final.

[Dizzy]

Kings are ok whatever is chose....we will not be in playoff this year so does not matter to us !!!