Could Relegation/Promotion work in the NHL?

[Mango]

Off-season gibberish-ish.

But I was reading an article in The Athletic about the popularity of soccer in the US and how FIFA think relegation and promotion would work well here.

It got me thinking about how the NHL is trying to keep adding more teams. But it sort of feels like the league is big enough. Could increasing the value of the AHL and having relegation/promotion be a viable path?

[GASabresIUFAN]

Other hockey leagues, like the SHL, have regulation and promotion.  I don't think it's possible here as the AHL is now only a development league and the majority of the players in the league property of the parent clubs.

[shrader]

That’s something you have to start from day one. 

[thewookie1]

No

[TheAud]

Well, in Buffalo it would be great as local fans could just head down the Thruway to Rochester and Syracuse to catch some road games. 

Of course home games vs. Toronto would be flooded with Marlie fans. 

Edited 8 hours ago by TheAud

[Weave]

Are there more than a small handful of AHL cities big enough to attract an owner that has the ability (and desire) to compete with NHL owners?

[Drag0nDan]

1 hour ago, Mango said:

Off-season gibberish-ish.

But I was reading an article in The Athletic about the popularity of soccer in the US and how FIFA think relegation and promotion would work well here.

It got me thinking about how the NHL is trying to keep adding more teams. But it sort of feels like the league is big enough. Could increasing the value of the AHL and having relegation/promotion be a viable path?

It doesn't work with a draft, and considering the league makes money on the draft i'd think that would be counterproductive.  

[inkman]

12 minutes ago, Drag0nDan said:

It doesn't work with a draft, and considering the league makes money on the draft i'd think that would be counterproductive.  

Well…the leagues tries to make money at the draft. Their execution leaves a little to be desired.  It’s pretty hard to sell a product that no one will have real access to for 3-5 years.  After the top 5 or so picks, these guys will become nameless, faceless into the abyss that is hockey minor leagues, juniors or college.  
 

But hey check out our new just hitting puberty draft pick that may be a star or may never play in the league you are here supporting. The NFL is drafting grown men you’ll almost certainly see on Sunday’s in a few months.  The NHL is like BYU or Russia.  You’ll see your guy in 5 years, if he survives.  

[PromoTheRobot]

5 hours ago, Mango said:

Off-season gibberish-ish.

But I was reading an article in The Athletic about the popularity of soccer in the US and how FIFA think relegation and promotion would work well here.

It got me thinking about how the NHL is trying to keep adding more teams. But it sort of feels like the league is big enough. Could increasing the value of the AHL and having relegation/promotion be a viable path?

Not a prayer. Major league franchises are too valuable to allow this. Relegation is a quaint anachronism from English soccer.  However the USL has announced they will now have relegation between various levels within USL, but MLS will not take part. This is the equivalent of relegation between the AHL and ECHL. FYI Buffalo will be joining USL1 next year.

[PerreaultForever]

I like it but it'll never happen. 

I'd like to see the lottery go though. You want to tank go ahead and tank. I don't want that top pick to go to some lottery ball winner be it fixed or not. Just let the worst be the worst. 

[JoeSchmoe]

I feel like this is something I'd like to see in the CFL.

The only major roadblock though is that travel distances in North America aren't really compatible with minor league budgets. 

How is a minor league team from Victoria (furthest west metro in Canada) going to pay to send a team to St John's (furthest east metro).

In European countries, everything is reachable by bus, which greatly reduces the travel $$$'s.

[Mango]

3 hours ago, inkman said:

Well…the leagues tries to make money at the draft. Their execution leaves a little to be desired.  It’s pretty hard to sell a product that no one will have real access to for 3-5 years.  After the top 5 or so picks, these guys will become nameless, faceless into the abyss that is hockey minor leagues, juniors or college.  
 

But hey check out our new just hitting puberty draft pick that may be a star or may never play in the league you are here supporting. The NFL is drafting grown men you’ll almost certainly see on Sunday’s in a few months.  The NHL is like BYU or Russia.  You’ll see your guy in 5 years, if he survives.  

I'm a big proponent of raising the draft age partially for this reason. Change the draft eligibolity to three years post HS like the NFL. A more pro ready drafted player is a much more compelling league.

And let's face it, the OHL, KHL, or whatever junior league anybody follows isn't growing the league by any measurable margin. But a frozen 4 that continuously has some of the best players in the world might.

Half the league drafts a kid in the first round who a fan of the NHL might not be able to see even at their AHL affiliate for 2-3 years, if it all.