The PWHL has adopted new and innovative rules for deciding who selects first overall in the PWHL Draft using the Gold Plan, and the ability of the top seed to choose their playoff opponent. In this week's face-off between The Hockey News' Erin Brown and Ian Kennedy where they discuss, and sometimes debate, topics in women's hockey, the pair looks at the PWHL’s announcements involving playoff and draft formats. Here's what they had to say. Ian Kennedy: Well, what could be more exciting than having the first overall team insult you by choosing your team because they distinctly think they can beat you easier than the other bottom seed team? That of course is the PWHL's new rule where the top seed gets to pick their first playoff opponent. It really adds an instantly fascinating storyline that as media we can speculate and discuss which match up we think is better, but also, if there’s an upset, it’s just an added piece of plot. Erin Brown: A great twist. I like this for a few reasons, including the ones above… and one from another angle. What if you can pit opponents likely to grind out a series putting them at a disadvantage moving ahead? “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” kind of thinking. If matchups are equal between potential opponents, why not? I’m a bit surprised the second-place team wasn’t included as a choice. It’s not like it puts the league owner in a bind over losing home ice, especially in such a small league right now. I think this format will get even more fun whenever expansion occurs. Hopefully a first-place Toronto team never finds itself in the situation of having a pie-in-the-sky team in Florida. That could be triggering. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Ian Kennedy: It’s a fun rule that I don’t think this rule will anger any traditionalists. What I really like here is the clear message that hockey doesn’t have to be one prescribed way, and that trying things like this, which don’t alter game play, just distinguishes the league further, which is wonderful. Erin Brown: Agreed. Over the past year we’ve seen some significant changes to the game on the ice — mainly the re-introduction of body checking in the SDHL and PWHL adjustments. It is fun to watch new voices, ideas contribute to the evolution of the game. Ian Kennedy: What will really be interesting is if we see the NHL consider adopting this rule…or the draft rule. Of course I’m talking about the Gold Plan that sees teams, after they’re mathematically eliminated from the playoffs begin to accrue points toward earning the first overall pick. What I really wonder is how long it will take for a team to be formally eliminated given the 3-2-1 point system, teams can make up a significant amount of ground in a short period of time. And with only six teams that can beat each other on any given night, this could take a while. It will definitely make games meaningful and exciting until the last day of the season. Erin Brown: I watched many, many years of NHL draft lottery teams in Florida, so I fully appreciate the idea of giving an eliminated team incentive to be a spoiler. And with only six teams, you wonder what kind of wrecking ball the first team out could be to the playoff picture. It has the potential for well-implemented chaos. Maybe they take out a bubble team or pull down the top team from its perch. This has as much potential, I think, to solidify league rivalries as a postseason does. Now that we know how the first-overall pick will be determined, who do you think it will be? Ian Kennedy: This could come down to a very positional pick. If you want a defender, there’s Cayla Barnes, if you want someone on the wing, it’s Hannah Bilka, if you need a pivot, you're going with Sarah Fillier. I think we're going to disagree on this one, so let's debate it next week!
