The coronavirus pandemic has hit the sports world hard including the boys at the Jersey Joe Corner. After a small hiatus, Jersey Joe Stanislau and Jim Biringer from lastwordonhockey.com are back with new episodes. This time the boys are joined by Dennis Bernstein, Senior Writer of TheFourthPeriod.com. He is also a co-host of the Hot Stove on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio. Dennis breaks down the latest on the NHL Draft, the playoff format, potential hub cities, New Jersey Devils coaches, and so much more.
Jersey Joe Corner Podcast
NHL Draft
Jim introduces Dennis to the show and Joe asks Dennis what this all means for draft going forward. Dennis talks about the 2020 NHL Draft will be a virtual event along with the awards show. He goes on to say that NHL can something similar to what the NFL did for the draft just not as wide scale. You will probably only see the top 10-30 players have monitors in their homes. He said the draft could have been done before the resumption of play. It would have been a good lead since fans did not have hockey. The problem is NFL draft sees an immediate impact. NHL draft doesn’t and lots of players unknown.
NHL Hub Cities
Jim moves the conversation to the playoff format and the hub cities site. Dennis mentions how if the play-in format is successful this year, do not be surprised to see expansion to 20 teams next year. More teams mean more revenue especially come playoff time. He notes 10 cities in the running to be hub cities. In regards to the East and West cities, you could see one in the East and one in the West for television purposes in the first couple of rounds. Once the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals hit, it could go to another city.
New Jersey Devils Coaches
Joe moves the conversation to the Devils coaching situation and asks Dennis about who he sees as a fit for the team between John Stevens and Gerard Gallant. Bernstein breaks down both coaches and talks about how Gallant will be a better fit than Stevens.
The show continues on with topics covering the potential NHL schedule for next season and beyond, NHL/NHLPA Harmony for a new CBA, and the new television contract.
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