What is the CHL thinking with it's new Playoff Format?

Talk about letting everybody in on a grand scale, the Central Hockey League recently announced the new playoff format for the 2010-2011 season when it gets underway in October. What they doing is just downright BS that you would probably see something you would see in the NCAA & Junior Hockey Ranks.

CHL Announces Playoff Format

2011 CHL Playoff Format

The format was announced that 16 of the league's 18 Teams will be making the playoffs next year with basically everyone excpt the last place teams of both conferences where they will have 2 Conferences of 9 teams.

The top 8 in both conferences will make the playoffs, usually this wouldn't be something I would a big deal with, considering that half of the Teams in the NHL & AHL make it every year, that means 89% of the teams will be making the playoffs. This will make the Regular Season almost useless for the most part. By doing this, the CHL is basically letting everyone who has basically played a game, the only way your going to miss the post-season is that if your so bad that your team won't challenge for a playoff spot which will basically be impossible.

The post season is spouse to be something that you earn to get to go. Regardless of your battling for the Conference/Titles, Home Ice, or one of the last teams that means the difference between playing for a league championship and ending your season way to soon.

If the CHL is looking for more money, this could backfire if they is a team like the Wichita Thunder who won just 9 games and acclimated 23 points last year, a whopping 40 points back of 6th Place Tulsa and 45 points back of the Missouri Mavericks who made the playoffs in their first year. This will provide little excitement and little drama as the league will say to the 7th & 8th place teams that will have little shots of advancing to be a punching bag for one of the championship contenders.

If I would have had an idea for the playoffs, the most teams that I would have advocated would have been 12 where 2/3 of the teams would make it. I would have the same format as the NFL with the #1 & #2 Seeds getting 1st Round Byes and the #3 VS. #6 & #4 VS. #5.

At least by doing it this way you would have 4 rounds, but you take out that punny little Best-of-3 Play In Round where since it was introduced in 2008 has turned out to be useless for the most part. With the exception of the Texas Brahmas in 2008, everybody else has gotten sweeped in the Conference Semifinals.

Here's a look at the Opening Round Teams in the Playoffs since 2008.

2008

Play In: Odessa Jackalopes VS. Austin Ice Bats: Odessa Wins Series 2-1

Conf. SFS: Laredo Bucks VS. Odesssa Jackalopes: Laredo Wins Series 4-0


Play In: Texas Brahmas VS. Mississippi Riverkings: Texas Wins Series 2-1

Conf. SFS: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Texas Brahmas: Texas Wins Series 4-0

Conf. Final: Colorado Eagles VS. Texas Brahmas: Colorado Wins Series 4-3


2009

Play In: Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs VS. Rocky Mountain Rage: Bossier-Shreveport Wins Series 2-1

Conf. SFS: Colorado Eagles VS. Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs: Colorado Wins Series 4-0


Play In: RG Valley Killer Bees VS. Corpus Christi Icerays: RG Valley Wins Series 2-1

Conf. SFS: Texas Brahmas VS. RG Valley Killer Bees: Texas Wins Series 4-0


2010

Play In: Mississippi Riverkings VS. Missouri Mavericks: Missouri Wins Series 2-1

Conf. SFS: Rapid City Rush VS. Missouri Mavericks: Rapid City Wins Series 4-0


Play In: Texas Brahmas VS. Corpus Christi Icerays: Texas Wins Series 2-0

Conf. SFS: Odessa Jackalopes VS. Texas Brahmas: Odessa Wins Series 4-2

So that shows you that the Play In Round was basically a shame with just one exception and i'm glad that part is gone, but having where almost everybody makes the playoffs is a shame for the Professional Ranks. I would expect this from the NCAA where nearly everybody makes it to the Conference Tournament expect for Hockey East where the bottom 2 regular season teams are eliminated.

As for the different Junior Ranks, they is a lot of major violators. The NAHL had it for the last couple of years where 4 of the 5 teams in all the divisions made the playoffs. In fact, last year in the West, all 4 teams played in the postseason basically because they was no one else in the League. The Kenai River Brown Bears had the worst record of the 16 playoff teams with just 30 points, all 3 5th place teams missed the playoffs all with better records (Alepna with 46, Wichita Falls with 42 & North Iowa with 36). Because these teams finished 5th, they all missed the post-season.

The Major Juniors have 16 teams make the playoffs. The worst violator is the QMJHL where only the bottom 2 teams with the worst records make it, regardless of how they fared in their division.

Perhaps the worst though are the Alberta & Saskatchwan Jr. A Leagues as only the bottom ranked teams in both divisions miss out on the playoffs. This is bad stuff that the Central Hockey League is getting into and it's something you would see in low level Juniors or the ACHA which is Group of College Club Hockey Teams that are not in the NCAA.

So if the CHL/IHL Merger is going to work to get higher level talent, send more players to the higher ranks and have the fan base want to come to these games. Making the playoffs tougher to make should have something that the league should have thought of.

Earlier this month, Greg Wyshynski who does the Puck Daddy Blog on Yahoo, did an article about the playoff format with some notable quotes from different reporters in the CHL Cities.

Ben Smith of the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette called the format "Totally ridiculous," while offering more of a Franke's explanation we excerpted at the top:

"The Though Process is the way the economy is going right now, it probably would make sense if all the teams coming into those last six weeks of the season had an opportunity to make the playoffs," he said. "There are so many other things people can do right now, and if teams are way out of it in late January, are they gonna continue to come to the games? No 2., we looked at it from the prospective that we believe the league is going to grow two or three years, and be more then 18 teams. So why not institute a 16 team format now, rather then switch it around every year?

So the regular season for the most part with the exception of the last part of the season to determine the playoff seeding will be a crap shoot and is such a joke. This is how Greg Rajan who covered the Corpus Christi Icerays for the Caller Times before the recent move to the Junior Ranks in the North American Hockey League. He mentions the format as "What A Joke" and followed up with a couple of specific reasons on why the format stinks.

What exactly is the purpose of the regular season, and extending it two games, to boot? So two cellar dwellers can be formally eliminated? The Regular Season has lost pretty much any importance it had. What's the reason for the casual fan can go to a game if it really has little to no meaning in the big picture? And what sports league allows 88.8% of it's teams to make the playoffs?

Contrary to what some people think, putting more teams in the playoffs won't help many teams financially. In my years of covering the CHL, I'd say only a handful of teams actually made money during the playoffs. Why? Because it's so hard to sell playoff tickets. You have to resell your entire season-ticket inventory and there's a little lead time to go out and sell groups or plan for games. Plus, many playoff games fall on less then attractive nights, such as mid-week days and Sunday's. Combine low box office numbers and the player salaries and it's not a pretty financial picture.

He also mentioned of the 4 Rounds, the first 2 will be a best-of-5 which could create issues from a competitive standpoint as well.

So this just proves that if the CHL wants to remain viable to hopefully grow from 18 teams in the next few years. They need to rethink their playoff structure by basically giving everybody a trophy for making the playoffs and to dilute the chase for the Ray Morin Presidents Cup Championship.

Here's the Full Story from the Puck Daddy Blog

Dallas Stars releasing Modano: My Commentary

Well when the season ended back in Mid April for the Dallas Stars up in Minnesota. Their was a strong possibility that his Stars career would end where it began just over 20 years back in April. Now it's made official that the face of hockey in the state is moving on after 21 seasons with both the Minnesota North/Dallas Stars Franchise, the team is going to have to look for a new identify, a new direction and looking for new ways to succeed.

For Mike Modano, part of me wants him to retire to preserve the fact that he would play his entire career for one team as I got a chance to see his final home game back April 8 against the Anaheim Ducks. The huge ovation he got during the 3rd period, scoring the game tieing goal that got the game to OT, then scoring in the SO.

All the great moments from the team's debut, the great playoff moments from getting to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 and 2000 to winning the whole thing that long and tiring night in Buffalo in June of 1999. Also as a final respect to the team and the city that cheered for him for the last 17 years. Knowing that he won't be getting revenge or looking for any more milestones or possibility winning a 2nd Stanley Cup after back-to-back Cup Finals in 1999 and 2000.

This would be a good time for him to retire, he just turned 40 years old, theirs not much left for him when it comes down to milestones. He currently has 557 goals in his career which puts him in the 500 goal club. At his rate in recent years, it would take a long time for him to reach 600 even though he's only 43 away from that milestone.

In addition to the Stanley Cup, he also won the Silver Medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City as well. Most players usually retire in their late 30s/early 40's so he's pretty much on track right now. After just recently turning 40, this would be a good time because of where he is in his career. Not good enough to play in the Olympics again, another milestone mostly unlikely, but he will always have the memories and the fact that the number 9 in Green & Gold will always be remembered in the D/FW Area.

On the other-hand, I could also see him play again. Because of his lack of major injures in his career and on some nights, even this past season, he's still can bring his moments of magic that can turn games around and help support young players as they pro careers are just starting up.

If he could find a spot where he could be a strong 3rd line center on a team that could possibly be looking to win a Cup next year, it would not be surprising for him to comeback for a year or two. Every player has that fire to get all their can out of their careers. Whetever it's milestone, one more shot at a Cup or for love the game if nothing else.

For Stars fans, it will look weird not seeing him in a Dallas Jersey next year. This was just Like when Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Roger Stabuch or Nolan Ryan left their teams in D/FW Sports History. It happens to everybody at some point and fans may not like, but teams need to move on with a new group of players that's looking for their success and chances to win championships in the future.

Right now the Stars don't have just a lot of prospects and the ones they do have like Scott Glennie and Philipp Larsen need to start getting involved in the system. As for players like Jamie Benn, James Neal and Kari Lehtonen, their time is now to have a strong new group and bring hockey glory back to D/FW that we haven't had since 2008 when the team reached the Conference Finals. Their time is now and the spotlight will be on them now with Modano gone.

I congratulate him on all he's done from the Stanley Cup, the Olympic Silver Medal and he will always be a part of the Dallas Stars moving forward. He still got great moments to look forward to, like getting his jersey retired and being voted into the Hall of Fame. He will most likely be with the team's front office at some point after his playing days are over, regardless he decides to play next season or hang em up this summer.

So in conclusion, they is life beyond Mike Modano for Dallas Stars fans, also get a chance to learn about the up-and-comers to the club like Jamie Benn and James Neal as we will get to know them better in the future. Eventhough it may be tough and painful right now. When you look back at up, they will be still a lot of great moments to look back.

But at the same time, look forward to a new generation of Stars and more chances to see Stanley Cup Titles and maybe an event like the Frozen Four or the World Junior Championships that could come by here as the sport continues to grow in the future.

It's sad to see Modano, but never forget all the fun and success he had in his time as the face of the team.

Enjoy the Calder Cup Final, it's the only Game in Town

With the Stanley Cup Finals ending last night with the Blackhawks ending a near 50 year drought. You probably think that the hockey season is now over, this is where your wrong.

Thanks to a nearly week long break between the Conference Finals and the Calder Cup Finals. We are 4 games into the Best-of-7 Final between the Texas Stars and Hershey Bears as the series is tied at 2-2.

With everyone else done for the year, be sure to enjoy and follow the AHL Championship as the season is starting to come to an end for the 2009-2010 hockey season. At least 2, maybe 3 games left at the most where your seeing players who are looking to possibly make the NHL Next Season and in the near future.

This is their chance to shine with the hockey attention on them. It also shows the Southwest region that people in the Southwest care and can play hockey. With both games in Austin hosting 7,000 people and probably more if it could, also with 10,00+ fans at the 2 games in Hershey, Pa. Proving that the fans want to see future NHL Talent.

This maybe your only shot to see a possible future goalie for the Dallas Stars, also players on Hershey like Keith Aucoin and Claude Giroux who each scored 100+ points during the regular season.

So this series will end and we will come to the end of another hockey season. Sure they will be trades, free agents and junior players moving on to the NCAA & Professional Ranks.

Plus young players will find out their fates at the NHL Draft at the end of June. But it's just not the same without the players playing for their teams, cities and some cases, they country at events like the World Junior Championships and Olympic Tournaments.

So if your not a fan of the AHL, check out some of these future NHL Hopefuls while you can before the Calder Cup is presented either to the Hershey Bears for the 2nd straight year or the Texas Stars in their first season.

After this, the sun sits on another season and the season doesn't get going again until the Junior's Season begin in September, and the NCAA & Professional Season in October. So enjoy whats left of the 2009-2010 Hockey Season.

Here's the remaining schedule for the AHL Calder Cup Final

Game 5, 6/11: @ Texas 8:30 PM EDT/7:30 PM CDT

Game 6, 6/14: @ Hershey 7:00 PM EDT/6:00 PM CDT

Game 7, 6/16: @ Hershey 7:00 PM EDT/6:00 PM CDT*

*If Necessary

Note to FSN Southwest: Take the AHL Seriouslly

With the Texas Stars taking the Cedar Park Center Ice tonight for Game 3 of the AHL Calder Cup Finals.

Something weird is missing, Great fans Check, a great shot at the Calder Cup Check, players looking to make a statement that should be on the Dallas Stars in the future Check, TV Coverage Non existent.

For the entire playoffs this year for the Texas Stars, TV Coverage has been non existent during the playoffs as the Stars have beat the Rockford Icehogs, Chicago Wolves & Hamilton Bulldogs in the playoffs.

The Texas Stars were looking to get a TV Deal for the Final but couldn't get a deal in time with several different TV Networks (Mostly in Austin) but because of scheduling and money, it couldn't get done.

This is a message for FSN Southwest to start taking this league seriously. In addition to a team competing for a Calder Cup in their first season, none of the region's three teams (Texas Stars, Houston Aeros & the San Antonio Rampage) were hardly on Television at all during the season with the exception of a couple of games that were set up and sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

If the sport is going to continue to grow and thrive in this area, television is an important part of the recipe. In addition to the 3 Texas Teams, Oklahoma City will be joining the league next year as the Barons will be returning big time hockey to OKC since the Oklahoma City Barons left the Central Hockey League at the end of the 2008-09 season. So that shows you that hockey can and is succeeding in this area.

Unlike leagues like the Junior's or even the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) these players are just one call up away from getting a chance to impress in the NHL that can turn a minor league's dream come true and transform their careers and their lives.

This is the 2nd best Hockey League in the world with some impressive talent with players like Aaron Gagnon, Franchis Wathier plus goalies Matt Climie & Brent Krahn who I think both have great shots of being the Stars Back up next year.

So FSN Southwest, this has been a great team and a great story as the Stars are looking to win the Calder Cup in their first year. To bad many people outside the Cedar Park Center won't get a chance to see it.

Besides, they is not that much sports going in June except for baseball which is a 162 game Marathon and some of the baseball games are a big time grind and can get pretty boring at times. Also with how the NBA grinds out their schedule, most nights the NBA are off and all their games are on ABC for this year's Championship.

Take yesterday's Rangers VS. Devil Rays for example, a game that took 4 hours and 9 minutes. That just shows you how slow the game can be at times. And it was one of the longest games in the history of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Tonight they have a game at home against a Seattle team that is 22-34 and is already 12.5 games back of first.

It doesn't matter the event or the time of year. A championship Hockey or basketball game should take over any regular season baseball game that doesn't mean that much over the course of a long baseball season while the Texas Stars & Hershey Bears playing for a championship.

So FSN Southwest, if you want to have something that's worth something, make the Rangers play on another network tonight and give the Stars VS. Bears series some love.

This is a critical part of the continuing to grow the sport in the Southwest, this should be a big part. If shows like HS Spotlight and HS Game Time can air stories on High School Hockey when they have events like the League All Star Game or Southlake Carroll playing at Nationals back in April. Then FSN Southwest could find a way to air the AHL Calder Cup Championship.

So in closing, find a way to come up with a TV Deal to cover all 4 AHL Teams to give the teams more publicity and let more people get a chance to see how great the sport of hockey is in this league. Also have some features on local players that are playing Junior's & NCAA that have big time dreams of possibility play pro so more fans can follow their careers and they will get a chance to know them.