With potential enlargement on the best way—and everyone knows it’s coming—the NHL should change the format for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, whether or not they need to.
Now we have heard NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speak about how he likes issues the best way they’re, but when the League does develop to 34, possibly to 36 groups, there might be plenty of noise so as to add a play within the spherical.
No Want For The NHL To Increase 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 few weeks and video games felt like play-in video games. Nonetheless, it’s going to ultimately 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 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 Pink Wings tied for factors final 12 months however fell quick 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 consider. And I’ve talked to no matter I’ll say it, I’ve talked to some homeowners, they usually consider as effectively that we’ll 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 niche 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 no less than being recognized that we’re going to 36. We could not have 36 taking part in by 2030, however we’ll know that possibly in a 12 months or two, we’ve got that different staff coming in, Metropolis X and Metropolis Y. I believe after we get to that time.
100% the playoff format might be completely different, whether or not it’s a playoff round-robin or a play-in; nonetheless, I assume possibly a high staff in every convention will get a bye for the primary, no matter. Like, there’s so many alternative choices.”
The argument in opposition to this might be that the season is so long as it’s. However you possibly can’t complain concerning the season being too lengthy and wish the playoffs to develop, too.
Bettman Nonetheless Says No on Expanded Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dennis Bernstein: “I need to say this: the identical persons are advocating for and desirous to develop the playoffs. They’re the identical folks that 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 need enlargement, 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’ll be able to’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.
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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 relating to how the worldwide hockey calendar is about up.
The NHL and increasing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, particularly if enlargement is coming, are one thing to regulate transferring ahead.
