VHL Debate Table | Playoff Format

[Matt_O 896]

Simply taking a quik look at the VHL standings shows an obvious inbalance. Each conference has four playoff teams, and conference crossover was eliminated after last season. The European Conference has the top four teams in the league, while the North American Conference holds the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th best teams. Is there a problem with this? I will be looking at the two most glaring examples (Seattle and Moscow) to determine whether or not the playoff system is unfair.

 

Seattle Bears- 1st in NA, would be 5th in EU

Seattle started the season off hot, but many wrote them off since they had a very easy schedule. Turns out they are for real, with goaltender Rayz Funk putting up elite stats and the team putting their amazing depth to use. However, them being in the North American Conference certainly helps them out. If they were in the European Conference, they would be sitting in fifth place, one point out of a playoff spot. You can even make the argument that they would be even further out of a spot, since they would have had a much tougher schedule if they were in the European Conference.

 

This isn't a slide at Seattle, they are a good team. Their strong S67 draft class has brought them to this point, headlined by Acyd Burn, Rayz Funk, and Hulk Hogan. But at the same time, this is a glaring issue. How can a team be first in it's conference, and clinch the playoffs, when they wouldn't even be in a playoff spot in the European Conference?  

 

Moscow Menace- 5th in EU, would be 2nd in NA

Moscow sits seven points out of a playoff spot, even though they would be second place in the North American Conference had they been there. You can also make the argument they would have a better record, because they would of had an easier schedule up to this point if they were in the NA. It doesn't look like Moscow will make the playoffs. If they were in the NA, their playoff chances would be at 99%, barring a historic collapse. There is something wrong with this.

 

Low Division and the Shaw Division

 

Divisions barely matter, and only come into play when it comes to scheduling. That being said, it is interesting to look at these two. While the other two divisions are fairly balanced, these two are both very polarizing. The Shaw Division consists of Davos, Malmo, and Helsinki. Those three teams are the three top teams in the VHL. The Low Division has New York, Toronto, and DC. Those are three of the four worst teams in the league. Divisions have little impact, but this is something interesting to look at.

 

As it stands right now, Davos and Riga are tied for third in the EU. Both teams would be first place in the NA. One of those teams will have to face the victory cup winning team, whether it's Malmo or Helsinki. If they were in the NA, they would be taking on a Toronto team that is likely at the end of it's cup window, or a Calgary team that blew it up, effectively a free ride to the Conference Finals. Is this fair? Let us know what you think.

Edited October 13, 2019 by Matt_O

[Beketov 8,642]

41 minutes ago, Matt_O said:

only come into play when it comes to scheduling

They don’t even do anything for that as far as I’m aware. Pretty sure we just set it up that own conference and own division = 8 games and other conference = 5 games so divisions do nothing but give us an easier way to look at things.

 

As for the actual poll: I voted no for a simple reason, the sample size. This is a single season and while it is a particularly unbalanced one that’s not normal. We’ve had crossover playoffs the last 2 or 3 seasons and it has never come up because usually the conferences kinda sort themselves out balance wise. Just so happens that this season the top 4-5 teams of the league were all in one conference. It’ll happen now and again but on the whole that won’t be the case.

[FrostBeard 1,975]

In my eyes I can see the fact that 2 growing and potentially super strong teams in Seattle and Vancouver could be leading NA next season with Malmo and Helsinki in EU having very similar results.  I believe that playoff format is fine, yes, some teams are stronger and one conference in better but then again talent is going and joining better teams so you will see changes after 4/5 seasons as only recently we have come back to Conference format.

[Nykonax 1,550]

1 hour ago, Matt_O said:

The Shaw Division consists of Davos, Malmo, and Helsinki. Those three teams are the three top teams in the VHL.

Davos and top three teams, pick one

[Advantage 2,769]

It sucks for Moscow this year but I have to agree with Beketov on sample size.  This sort of thing can happen but it shouldn't be the norm and we sometimes see this in the real NHL too.  Ultimately, it sucks but it will balance out in the end.  

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

3 hours ago, Nykonax said:

Davos and top three teams, pick one

 

https://vhlportal.com/stats/standings

[gorlab 4,321]

On 10/13/2019 at 10:38 AM, Beketov said:

This is a single season and while it is a particularly unbalanced one that’s not normal. 

 

A lot of really abnormal things going on this season, eh?