Parity in the NHL

[thefelixculpa 0]

The parity in the NHL is incredible this year. There are only two teams right now that are more than 3.5 games out of a playoff spot. Has the league ever been this evenly matched this far into a season?

[kosydar 0]

If things stay this way, the trade deadline will be boring.

[Michael9 57]

Wasn't this what their goal was with putting in the salary cap. Seems to have worked quite well.

[gxc999 7]

I think the parity has probably gone too far. Now any team can go from first to worst if one player is sidelined by injury etc. I do indeed agree that it kills the trade deadline joy, but what can ya do?

[bbruins8 0]

If things stay this way, the trade deadline will be boring.

Is that necessarily a bad thing? Rental players are just stupid.

[hockeysc23 0]

If things stay this way, the trade deadline will be boring.

Is that necessarily a bad thing? Rental players are just stupid.

I agree. I can see adding another roll player but why get rid of the people/chemistry that got you to the playoffs. I wish the trade deadline would get moved to right before the All-Star break like with other sports.

Scott

[habsfan87 0]

I hate these 3 point games all of the time, seems like a shootout happens half the time, makes it harder to gain ground. i think its going to become far more important to win games in 60 mins down the stretch especially since the last bit is mostly divisonal games. we may even see some teams in a one goeal lead pullin the tender lol. the worst part about it for me tho is the possibility that a 9th place team could have more points than the 3rd, i hope that gets ironed out with the divisional games.

[jeffw 1]

Atlantic Points

Philadelphia 57

Pittsburgh 57

New Jersey 57

[kosydar 0]

If things stay this way, the trade deadline will be boring.

Is that necessarily a bad thing? Rental players are just stupid.

I think it is. Rental players not only help teams go far in the playoffs (i.e. Edmonton, Carolina), but more importantly they help bad teams rebuild. Look at Philly last year.

[TheBert 0]

Ugh. OTL needs to go. If you lose you lose.

And I think if we give it 5-10 years, parity will disappear as teams with weak drafting get exposed.

[chippa13 1844]

Rental players seldom if ever make huge impacts on teams.

[Engine37 0]

I agree that parity does seem much more prevalent this year. Sometimes it's a little frustrating (as a fan) because my favorite team goes from "playoff contender" to "bottom feeder" if they have a couple bad games. Overall though, I think its great for the league and the game. It keeps the fans on their toes, and it makes every game more important and more intense. I doubt we'll have any idea who the majority of playoff teams are this year until the last game of the year.

So I guess that means I'll just have to watch a lot of Center Ice in the coming months. :D

[gxc999 7]

I hate these 3 point games all of the time, seems like a shootout happens half the time, makes it harder to gain ground. i think its going to become far more important to win games in 60 mins down the stretch especially since the last bit is mostly divisonal games. we may even see some teams in a one goeal lead pullin the tender lol. the worst part about it for me tho is the possibility that a 9th place team could have more points than the 3rd, i hope that gets ironed out with the divisional games.

I agree, I want to see the old type of overtime. 5 minutes of 5 on 5, if the game ends even, it's a tie, if you lose in OT, you get no points.