06-16-2020, 02:37 PMJKortesi81 Wrote:

06-16-2020, 02:00 PMThe__Y-man__100 Wrote: I can’t see us expanding when teams like Tampa and Minnesota have no one

This.

The allure of expansion and new teams is always bright, but we can't actually consider this when we have teams where the roster is barren like Tampa, and to a certain extent Toronto and Minnesota.

If we truly need more space for some players, we have the option of using the 4th line for the SHL teams the same way it works pretty damn well in IIHF and the SMJHL.

The argument of "nobody wants to play on a 4th line" is pretty weak, and teams can always adjust their playing times to give them more time if needed. But as of now we're pushing 800-900 TPE players out of the league sometimes, and for what?

16 teams with 3 extra forward spots opened up is 48 more SHL big league spots, and as a result, 48 less players taking up the prime slots in the J.

The answer isn't expansion, that's for sure.

I disagree, especially on the 4th line. The argument is not weak its strong. Who wants to plan on the 4th line playing 7-8 minutes on a very defensive structure. Its not like the NHL wehre they get paid the minimum 750k to play there. People want to enjoy the time on the site, and playing on the 4th line is not it. You say you can increase team, but not every team is going to follow that because they want to win. And playing their top 2 lines the most will help them win. And then on the strategy you can put them up against the 4th line and they can get shelled in. Atleast with the 3rd line on good teams you can shut them down for the most part.

THe whole reason for the SHL is to play in the SHL, not spend another season or so in the SMJHL. We have the numbers to expand. When you look at teams like Tampa Bay they are empty in the SHL because they sold everyone that offseason. They have good prospects and they have a lot of draft picks. The only difference between teams like TBB now and SFP or MAN of the past is that FHM punishes teams more for tanking, so it brings it to light more. Toronto is getting stronger every season, as a good rebuild is. Next season they will have almost everyone active on the forward core, and almost everyone on the defensive side. Minnesota I cant say for certain what they are doing, but they have actives and a lot of prospects to call up.