The NHL announced that each team will have a five-day bye week starting in the 2016-2017 regular season as a result of the 3-on-3 All Star Games. Each team's bye week will occur between the start of the new year and prior to the NHL Trade Deadline.
Some of it make sense as the players get some rest that they deserve, plus the inclusion the NHL sponsored World Cup next year. For the players, it's a five day break for their team, so they can do what they want. In terms of the World Cup, there will be a good amount of NHL hockey players playing in the tournament, the pre-season, plus the 82 game regular season, and the post-season. For others, there could be the World Junior Championships and the IIHF Tournament. That's a lot of hockey for a lot of hockey players.
In terms of the flaw, this bye week may help a team or weaken a team. What I mean is this rest may result in the lack of consistency in players, and could make teams that depends on certain players struggle. The rust may last for some, but not for all. The ones that come back quickly may be the reason why their respective teams' make or miss the postseason.
More to come...