OK, the bye week sux.

[Eleven]

This was the NHLPA's ask for the NHL's ask for the all-star game to be 3-on-3.  

 

The all-star game still is a crappy exhibition, albeit less crappy, but the payment for it (the bye week) is too heavy.

 

This sux.

[North Buffalo]

yeh it does

[WildCard]

It's terrible and implemented terribly. I've been saying it for years, the NHL scheduling is an absolute joke of a process. Nothing in it makes an iota of sense 

[Randall Flagg]

IMO they should have two of these, but only play 68-70 games. Which sucks to say as someone who is addicted to watching hockey.

[SwampD]

I, for one, am going to enjoy the bye week and use it productively, coming back rejuvenated and ready to watch my team force its way into the playoffs.

[sabresouth]

Yes, yes it does. We also played something like 12 games in 20 days, 3 back to backs with only one day off before and after, with no period of two days off. Would prefer to have the games spread out a little more and skip the buy week.

[inkman]

It's terrible and implemented terribly. I've been saying it for years, the NHL scheduling is an absolute joke of a process. Nothing in it makes an iota of sense

You can remove the word scheduling from there

[bunomatic]

The fact we played Chitown on the second game of a back to back to end a stretch of 12 games in 18 days while they played us after enjoying a 5 day bye week is criminal. Absofrigginlutely Nutz. Who comes up with this shite ?

[WildCard]

At least the deadline is next week, so hopefully we'll have some rumors to keep us entertained 

 

You can remove the word scheduling from there

Pretty much. Still better than the NFL though

[inkman]

Pretty much. Still better than the NFL though

The NFL's product is so much more refined than the stupid NHL. I

[Two or less]

It's terrible and implemented terribly. I've been saying it for years, the NHL scheduling is an absolute joke of a process. Nothing in it makes an iota of sense 

 

Agreed. I like the idea but the way it is currently set up is a joke. I've heard several proposals, but i think my favorite one is the one the NBA runs.

 

The league shut down Thursday night, had it's all star weekend, has it's trade deadline this upcoming Thursday and league games start up again Thursday night. The only weekend the league misses out on is the all-star weekend and players who don't go to the all star event have a entire week off. Pretty good perk.

[qwksndmonster]

I, for one, am going to enjoy the bye week and use it productively, coming back rejuvenated and ready to watch my team force its way into the playoffs.

You are the most insufferable poster of all time.

[LTS]

Mother Nature queued up some seriously good temperatures for you while the Sabres are not playing.  Take advantage of it!

 

Besides, given all the complaints around here about how they play you can use this week to watch other teams play and improve your knowledge of what other teams are doing.

 

Where is the downside?

[ubkev]

Golfing during the bye week. For sure!

[WildCard]

Golfing during the bye week. For sure!

In New York?

[ubkev]

In New York?

Pennsylvania

 

Driving range was packed today. One dumpy local course will be open on Thursday.

Edited February 21, 2017 by ubkev

[Eleven]

The fact we played Chitown on the second game of a back to back to end a stretch of 12 games in 18 days while they played us after enjoying a 5 day bye week is criminal. Absofrigginlutely Nutz. Who comes up with this shite ?

 

Wait--didn't Chicago play the day before?

[Taro T]

Wait--didn't Chicago play the day before?

They did. But 2nd game in 2 nights after 5 days of rest is significantly easier than 11th (?) game in 18 nights, also after playing the night before.

[bunomatic]

Wait--didn't Chicago play the day before?

Yeah my bad there. But as Taro said they were well rested compared to our guys. 

[Huckleberry]

Also this bye week really is starting to show the hole we are in to make the playoffs.

[Doohicksie]

Meh.  I see it as acquiring games in hand.

[Jsixspd]

I'm not sure how the player union felt this benefits players - the season length is the same - 82 days - and the 1st game/last game span is about the same.  

All this means is that more games get crammed into a shorter time span, at some point in the season.  I would think playing a denser schedule would increase the chance of injury, not decrease it.  

[Randall Flagg]

Meh.  I see it as acquiring games in hand.

Except every team has games in hand on us, and are just pulling even with this week, no?

[LTS]

I'm not sure how the player union felt this benefits players - the season length is the same - 82 days - and the 1st game/last game span is about the same.  

 

All this means is that more games get crammed into a shorter time span, at some point in the season.  I would think playing a denser schedule would increase the chance of injury, not decrease it.  

 

There are probably two things I can think support it.

 

The players enjoy a time away from the rink and can do family/party stuff.  Yes, the season gets crammed up elsewhere, but that's okay... because...

 

It helps support the argument of shutting down to play in the Olympics.  Which they also want to do...

[Mustache of God]

I'm not a fan of them having their bye week this late into the season. Does anyone know how this compares to other teams bye? When all is said and done we're going to come back 7-8 points back of a playoff spot, needing to leap-frog 5 teams....which seems like a pretty tall order. The COL and AZ games are going to be must wins.