Rumours have been doing the rounds on various message boards about different changes to the league next season given that it is expanding from eight to ten teams. Below is a look at the majors ones with my thoughts…

Playoff format reverting to 1 v 8 etc

Wasn’t it already like this? Obviously two teams will be eliminated this season but the fact will still remain that you can win the cup by playing just four games: The two legged knockout round and then the final four semi’s and final. The league could do with having the teams play 4 leg rounds with the total score deciding who goes through rather than a 2 leg round. The 4 leg round would be more in line with a traditional playoff series, it would build rivalries but it wouldn’t leave the teams facing the problem of having arena availability when they have been knocked out which can happen in a best-of series.

12 Imports for Caps, Stingrays, Stars, Clan and Vipers
I quite like this – it adds a little parity to the league in allowing the teams that finish near the bottom of the standings to bring in an extra import to be more competitive the next year. With no draft in the EIHL this is a way to help a poor team get good. It would be an idea though for the smaller team to be able to sell their extra import slot to one of the top teams if they feel they couldn’t use the slot but could use the finances.

NCAA players to be able to play straight away (needs approval from Home office they think)
A good move by the league if it works out and a new area to tap up young talent.

North and South Challenge Cup division
Why not, they have groups for the Challenge Cup already so may as well split them geographically and cut down on travelling.

Giants, Caps, Clan, Vipers and Stars – League games will double as Cup games
I think this is to save on games played for the likes of the Stars, Caps and Clan who probably don’t fancy trekking over to Belfast anymore than necessary due to financial restraints. It’ll mean less games played for players from these teams than players from the south division overall but that can only be a good thing come the run-in, right?

More enforcers next season
Is this something the league is pushing? Is it compulsory for a team to carry an enforcer and if so who judges whether a player is or isn’t an enforcer. I can only imagine this is a recommendation or the fact that most coaches have said they intend to sign an enforcer.

On the subject: EIHL Shake Up, New Playoff Format, Off Season | ALL SUBJECTS |

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