First a disclaimer: This is just something I’ve done for fun. I don’t think this is anything Canadian hockey can or should do, and I’m not proposing replacing the current system. It’s a (probably quite bad) attempt at approximating an alternate reality just for my own entertainment, nothing more. Just another off-season thought experiment.

I decided to put together an outline of what a Canadian league pyramid could have looked like if Canadian hockey in the early days had not gone the franchise direction, but instead had been made up of independent (and potentially member owned) grassroots clubs like we have here in Sweden. I created four tiers and filled them with existing (and some former) pro and junior teams (I also changed the names of some similarly named teams) and tried to create a somewhat balanced and geographically reasonable structure. In this thought experiment, all teams are senior though, and most probably have junior teams and kids teams within the club where they foster their own talent. I have not taken any economic aspects (markets etc) into account as I imagine it would play less of a role in this reality and also be self-correcting rather than centrally controlled. I have probably also put a few too many small-town teams high up in the system, but it is something that could happen in an open system, and I didn’t want to make up a bunch of teams.

As opposed to our strict (and in my mind too restrictive) 1-up-1-down system in Sweden, I decided to go with a fairly permeable pyramid in the higher divisions (several teams get the chance to be promoted every season) with a mix of guaranteed promotion and interdivisional qualifiers. From Swedish experience, the interdivisional matchups are always great as the better team on paper has a lot to lose while the up-and-coming team is really fired up. I also decided to use the 3-point system for the regular season and that you have to play playoffs to be promoted. Hockey is a playoff sport, so no direct promotion from the regular season.

I let Copilot simulate this upcoming season (the only AI use but for the playoff tree graphics btw, the rest is my brain and manual Paint labour) in this alternate reality so that you more easily can visualize all the half convoluted qualifying mechanisms I’ve come up with. I do love convoluted qualifying mechanics, but they're also somwhat necessary when combining playoffs and several pro/rel spots up for grabs.

I know there are issues, like implementing all the scheduling in the postseason so teams don’t have to wait too long for their opponents in the other divisions for instance. But I reiterate, it’s a loose though experiment (that took a lot of time to complete). Thoughts?

The résumé on the graphic speaks for itself.

But here’s what it doesn’t tell you about one Sidney Patrick Crosby:

#️⃣8️⃣7️⃣ His jersey number — 87 — is literally his birthday: 8/7/87. Intentional or not, that’s legendary behavior.

🏒⭐️🥅 He scored the golden goal — overtime, 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Canada vs. USA. One of the most iconic moments in the history of any sport, not just hockey.

🍺🥇🗺️ He’s a Triple Gold Club member — Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, and World Championship Gold. An elite group that very few players ever complete.

👑🐧 He’s spent his entire career with one franchise (Pittsburgh Penguins). In today’s era of player movement, that kind of loyalty has basically gone the way of the dinosaur.

🏆 He won the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in 2006. The hardware collection started immediately and never stopped.

And now… the debate nobody asked for but everybody needs to have 👀

Is Sidney Crosby the NHL GOAT?

Gretzky’s records are untouchable. We know. But Crosby’s hardware haul in the modern era — three Cups, two Olympic golds including THE golden goal, every individual trophy imaginable — has the argument closer than people want to admit.

Drop your takes below. Brian and Davy will be recording today and we’re not above stealing — er, borrowing — from the comments. 🎙️

B.A.D. Takes Only — new episodes on Apple & Spotify