The Stanley Cup Playoffs Format Is Altering Ultimately

With doable enlargement on the best way—and everyone knows it’s coming—the NHL must change the format for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, whether or not they need to.

Now we have heard NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman discuss how he likes issues the best way they’re, but when the League does broaden to 34, perhaps to 36 groups, there might be loads of noise so as to add a play within the spherical.

No Need For The NHL To Expand the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Now we have heard the arguments concerning the season being too lengthy and the common season being the play-in-round. Simply have a look at the final couple of seasons, the place the previous couple of weeks and video games felt like play-in video games. Nonetheless, it would finally make sense with groups rising and the NHL’s expertise stage so excessive.

To not point out, the tiebreakers are a bit complicated. Once more, all the pieces relies on regulation and extra time wins, not shootout wins. That’s an argument for one more day about ending the shootout and increasing extra time.

When Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Interval joined Mick Kern and Dennis Bernstein on Sirius XM NHL Community Radio, they mentioned increasing the playoffs, contemplating that groups like Buffalo, Ottawa, and Detroit have been shut. The Crimson Wings tied for factors final yr however fell quick due to tiebreakers. Montreal is on the rise, so finally a play-in spherical will come.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Should the NHL Expand its Playoff Format?

Dave Pagnotta: “I agree with you, after we get to that time, I imagine. And I’ve talked to no matter I’ll say it, I’ve talked to some house owners, and so they imagine as effectively that we are going to get to 36 now. That doesn’t imply we’re going to get to 36 within the subsequent spherical of enlargement. I believe we’ll add two extra groups, after which there’ll be a little bit of a spot and whatnot, after which we’ll get to 36.

My timeframe a couple of years in the past was 2030 in and round that vary. I’m going to stay with that by way of not less than being identified that we’re going to 36. We might not have 36 enjoying by 2030, however we’ll know that perhaps in a yr or two, we have now that different workforce coming in, Metropolis X and Metropolis Y. I believe after we get to that time.

100% the playoff format might be totally different, whether or not it’s a playoff round-robin or a play-in; nevertheless, I assume perhaps a high workforce in every convention will get a bye for the primary, no matter. Like, there’s so many alternative choices.”

The argument towards this might be that the season is so long as it’s. However you may’t complain concerning the season being too lengthy and wish the playoffs to broaden, too.

Bettman Still Says No on Expanded Stanley Cup Playoffs

Dennis Bernstein: “I need to say this: the identical individuals are advocating for and desirous to broaden the playoffs. They’re the identical those that complain that we’re enjoying in late June. So you may’t have it each methods as a result of they’re not shortening the common season as a result of they want the income. So yeah, if you would like enlargement, nice, however then don’t come to me, then they’re nonetheless enjoying on July 1 or June 27 and say, Oh, the season’s too lengthy, proper? You possibly can’t have each methods.”

With the 4-Nations Cup this season and the Olympics in 2026, the season will once more run into late June. The NHL will proceed to play video games abroad, and if expanded playoffs are on the horizon, the query might be whether or not the League need to begin the season earlier.

NHL Rumors: Dawson Mercery, Thomas Harley, and Phil Kessel

Proper now, the season begins on October 4th abroad. Do they shorten the preseason and begin on the finish of September? Some house owners are reluctant to do this, particularly towards the NFL and faculty soccer. Nonetheless, there have to be a compromise relating to how the worldwide hockey calendar is ready up.

The NHL and increasing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly if enlargement is coming, are one thing to regulate transferring ahead.