With attainable 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 have now heard NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speak about how he likes issues the best way they’re, but when the League does broaden to 34, perhaps to 36 groups, there can be lots of noise so as to add a play within the spherical.
No Want For The NHL To Increase the Stanley Cup Playoffs
We have now 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 is going to ultimately 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, every little thing 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 Purple Wings tied for factors final yr however fell brief due to tiebreakers. Montreal is on the rise, so ultimately a play-in spherical will come.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ought to the NHL Increase 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 homeowners, and so they imagine as properly 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 believe we’ll add two extra groups, after which there’ll be a little bit of a niche 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 when it comes to at the very least being identified that we’re going to 36. We might not have 36 taking part in by 2030, however we’ll know that perhaps in a yr or two, we’ve got that different crew coming in, Metropolis X and Metropolis Y. I believe after we get to that time.
100% the playoff format can be completely different, whether or not it’s a playoff round-robin or a play-in; nevertheless, I assume perhaps a prime crew in every convention will get a bye for the primary, no matter. Like, there’s so many various choices.”
The argument in opposition to this can be that the season is so long as it’s. However you may’t complain concerning the season being too lengthy and need the playoffs to broaden, too.
Bettman Nonetheless Says No on Expanded Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dennis Bernstein: “I wish to say this: the identical individuals are advocating for and desirous to broaden the playoffs. They’re the identical those who complain that we’re taking part in 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, in order for you 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 may’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 can be whether or not the League wish to begin the season earlier.
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Proper now, the season begins on October 4th abroad. Do they shorten the preseason and begin on the finish of September? Some homeowners are reluctant to do this, particularly in opposition to the NFL and faculty soccer. Nonetheless, there should be a compromise concerning how the worldwide hockey calendar is ready up.
The NHL and increasing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly if growth is coming, are one thing to regulate transferring ahead.
