Former head coach of the national teams of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Vladimir Krikunov believes that the league should not be divided into “strong” and “weak”, as the leaders of the Russian Hockey Federation (FHR) want. Instead, he came up with his version of the championship, which will constantly keep all teams in suspense – both up and down the table.
“Dividing the KHL into two parts is stupid,” Krikunov said. – Twelve teams – not enough. They will have to play six times against each other. It is then necessary to do as before – sixteen strong teams. The six weakest players are immediately transferred to the VHL. This, by the way, will also reinvigorate our second league, make it more authoritative and stronger. VHL, by the way, will also be able to get rid of wimps.
– Which formula to play?
– In the regular season – four rounds. Now our team does not participate in the championships, so we can use breaks for matches. Eight teams start the playoffs. But only six of the strongest go directly to the Gagarin Cup. Here they took the top spots and let them calmly prepare for the first round. And for two playoff spots in a short transitional tournament, the teams that placed seventh through twelfth will battle it out. It will also create extra motivation and excitement! And the leaders will not click their ears too much in the regular season. Because no one wants to drop below sixth place and then risk ending up with no playoffs at all. Everyone will try to immediately climb higher to guarantee their participation in the Gagarin Cup.
– And how to cheer up foreigners? After all, someone will definitely lose the chance to make the playoffs in advance.
– Very simple. They, too, after the end of the regular season, will fight in a transitional tournament – for the right to stay in the top flight.
– But then the leaders of the VHL should compete with them for that, right?
– Absolutely. The four worst teams in the KHL and the four best clubs in the VHL are competing for the right to play next season in the major leagues. It’s a real fight for survival! This will force teams at the bottom of the table not to give up after mid-season and not to sell the best players to better performing clubs in December. Here, too, there will be a desperate struggle to the end. There are clubs that hang around the bottom from year to year, they themselves are already used to it. And with such a system, they will no longer have to fall asleep.
– Yes, and for VHL clubs – this is a very interesting chance.
– Sure. After all, it is clear that the six clubs that will be won will be unhappy. But every year they will be allowed to return to the KHL. Only you will already have to fight for it – to perform well in the transition tournament. With such a system, it turns out that all clubs are motivated. They will fight for every point. We have already played like that, the system has proven itself. I offered to return it. And they’re like, ‘Well, how can we shrink the league? These are jobs.”
– I anticipate that not everyone will be happy with the reduction of the playoffs to eight teams.
– Then because it is necessary to work to enter the round of cup. But when I coached Neftekhimik, we gradually moved into the top eight, although we were never considered rich. Working seriously hard to make the playoffs. Well, how else? And we will always have clubs rich and poor – until hockey becomes a business. But it is not planned yet, because people will not be able to buy expensive tickets. In the NHL, it’s different. And in our country, the sports principle should be in the first place, so that everyone is interested.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
