Hurricanes player rep Jordan Martinook felt format unfair before voting NO to playing the Rangers

Updated:

Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook felt the 24 team format was unfair. Just days prior to the vote approving the 24 team playoffs he told the press, “I feel like if you’re doing the 24-team thing, it basically gives a team a chance that had no chance of making it, which if you play 82 there’s maybe 6, 8% chance that the team in 12th place (in the conference) makes it,”

I can only imagine the smile on the faces of Jacob Trouba and Ryan Strome who represent the Rangers while Martinook voiced his displeasure on the call. Let’s face it, Martinook’s Hurricanes weren’t going to face the 12th place Canadiens. The format would have them facing a team they could not beat for the life of them this season. “Nobody’s ever seen this before,” Martinook continued, “but at the end of the day, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are 16 teams, seven games a series.” Well, now it’s 5 games against the Rangers.

Singing A Different Tune

Martinook crunched (Getty Images)

After the vote, and prior to information coming out that his Canes were one of only two teams to vote no, Martinook was singing a different tune.

Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup would be a considerable feat. “In a year of such negativity and uncertainty, for you to have that kind of celebration, I feel like it would be a big positive for you, your family, your team, your city,” Martinook said.

Charlotte Observer

For all Martinook’s complaints, the Rangers were only 2 points behind Carolina and Columbus with 12 games to play. While the Canes held 2 games in hand, there’s nothing to indicate THEY would even make the playoffs themselves with the Islanders only a point behind them and Florida trailing by three.

FOCO Memorial Weekend Sale

At the end of the day Carolina voted against it. The fact that the Rangers went 4-0 and scored 17 goals to the Canes 9 played a role no doubt. Simply put that’s not who they wanted to open up against. Artemi Panarin lit them up for 3 goals and 9 points with Mika Zibanejad scoring 4 times in just 3 games. The Rangers top center also added three helpers. Game on. Psychological edge: Rangers.

Check Out Fanatics Massive Memorial Day Sale!

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

Mentioned in this article:

More About: