The Stanley Cup Champion Should Automatically Clinch A Spot In The Next Year’s Playoffs

Los Angeles Kings

Whenever a new Stanley Cup Champion is crowned, that team should automatically be in the following season’s playoffs no matter where they end up in the standings. It is one thing to win the Stanley Cup, but it is another to not make the playoffs the season after, in an embarrassing way. But if the reigning champions were allowed to defend their title, that would put the Los Angeles Kings in the playoffs this season… and piss off a lot of Canadian teams.

The idea came to me when I was sitting at home watching the first three days of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I noticed the Kings were not there. That was because they were eliminated in the second to last game of the season. It sucked.

Something in my brain could not comprehend that the reigning Stanley Cup Champions were not in any of these games. I thought to myself, “WHY ISN’T ANYONE WEARING BLACK?” It was quite disturbing.

Anyway, I then thought, “The NHL should adopt a rule where the Stanley Cup Champion gets an automatic berth in the following post-season.” Sure, at first it sounds like a sore fan lamenting about the Kings being the first Champs to miss the playoffs since 2007, but then when you really think about it, it really makes total sense.

The reigning champions should be allowed to defend their title.

If a team fails to make the top seven spots in their division or a wild card spot by the time the seventh spot is clinched, the reigning champions get that final spot as the lowest point getter. You know why that would be great for Los Angeles this post-season? Some of Canada, most of Alberta and all of Calgary would be pissed at the Los Angeles Kings. That would be sweet.

Think about it, not only would that create animosity between the Kings and the Calgary Flames, but then the Vancouver Canucks would also have issue with their Pacific Division foes. How great would that be?

Of course this rule would not happen every year, just when teams like Kings completely blow it. It would allow for the champ to defend their title and keep Canada pissed off at LA, it is a win-win situation.

Still, this did originate out of sadness, so do not think to much of it, even though Los Angeles would be up 2-0 on the Canucks right now. I am just speculating.

April 7, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty (8), defenceman Jake Muzzin (6) and right winger Marian Gaborik (12) celebrate their goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Rexall Place. Oilers won 4-2 Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz- USA TODAY Sports