With potential growth 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 wish to.
We now 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 shall be a number of noise so as to add a play within the spherical.
No Want For The NHL To Broaden the Stanley Cup Playoffs
We now have heard the arguments in regards to 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 few weeks and video games felt like play-in video games. Nonetheless, it should finally make sense with groups rising and the NHL’s expertise degree so excessive.
To not point out, the tiebreakers are a bit complicated. Once more, every thing is predicated on regulation and time beyond regulation wins, not shootout wins. That’s an argument for an additional day about ending the shootout and increasing time beyond regulation.
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 brief due to tiebreakers. Montreal is on the rise, so finally a play-in spherical will come.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ought to the NHL Broaden its Playoff Format?
Dave Pagnotta: “I agree with you, after we get to that time, I consider. And I’ve talked to no matter I’ll say it, I’ve talked to some house owners, they usually consider as nicely 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 growth. I feel 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 just a few years in the past was 2030 in and round that vary. I’m going to stay with that when it comes to at the least being recognized that we’re going to 36. We could not have 36 taking part in by 2030, however we’ll know that perhaps in a yr or two, we’ve got that different workforce coming in, Metropolis X and Metropolis Y. I feel after we get to that time.
100% the playoff format shall be completely different, whether or not it’s a playoff round-robin or a play-in; nevertheless, I assume perhaps a prime workforce in every convention will get a bye for the primary, no matter. Like, there’s so many alternative choices.”
The argument towards this shall be that the season is so long as it’s. However you possibly can’t complain in regards to the season being too lengthy and wish the playoffs to broaden, too.
Bettman Nonetheless Says No on Expanded Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dennis Bernstein: “I wish to say this: the identical persons are advocating for and desirous to broaden the playoffs. They’re the identical people who complain that we’re taking part in in late June. So you possibly can’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’d like growth, nice, however then don’t come to me, then they’re nonetheless taking part in 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 shall be whether or not the League wish 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 concerning how the worldwide hockey calendar is about up.
The NHL and increasing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly if growth is coming, are one thing to keep watch over transferring ahead.
