Insiders report the NHL is looking to shake up playoff format after player complaints
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
According to analyst Chris Johnston, it is his belief that the NHL will eventually change its playoff format to adapt a play-in competition, much like the one the NBA and MLB have in place.
Of course, there is much to consider before any changes can be made, including permission from the NHLPA, as per the CBA that was recently ratified. Yet, nor does it seem that the NHL is considering changes to its current system. Earlier this season, players did voice some complaints about the divisional playoff formatting, but wanted a return to 1 vs. 8.
NHL Commissioner speaks to change in current NHL format
At the 2025 General Managers' meetings in March, NHL boss Gary Bettman commented on his position regarding any changes to the current playoff format.
«We're not giving any thought to expanding the playoffs,» Gary Bettman said. «We have no interest in it. What we have is working very well. When you look at how our playoffs play out - the number of six- and seven-game series, the competitiveness of it - nothing in anybody else's playoffs rivals that.»
Yet, to rule-out any changes outright may be imprudent, given the success that other major sports have had since they adapted a play-in style format.
According to The Hockey News, the NBA reported a record-setting average of 3.2 million viewers over the six play-in games it held ahead of its 2024-25 playoffs, largely based on the additional competition generated by play-in teams looking to either clinch, or avoid elimination.
Despite the better TV ratings however, several consequences of a new playoff format must also be considered, in particular the fairness of the 82-game regular season.
For example, if the NHL copied the NBA format, the 7th and 8th seeds, who already earned their spots over 82 games, would be forced into a mini-tournament to retain their playoff status, potentially losing out to teams with worse records.
A short, single-elimination play-in round could see a deserving team eliminated and a less deserving team advance purely due to chance, given the brief nature of the play-in series (best 2 out of 3).
Sometimes, however, the simple solution is the best one, as Sidney Crosby believes, when he commented on the issue.
"I like one to eight. The regular season, as difficult as it is, teams should be rewarded, and I guess that's probably the best way that you should be rewarded.»
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SEPTEMBRE 22 | 285 ANSWERS Insiders report the NHL is looking to shake up playoff format after player complaints Should the NHL change its playoff format to include more teams in a play-in, or return to a 1-8 playoff format? | ||
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