NHL deputy commissioner comments on Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings first round
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
On a recent episode of The Nations Network Leafs Morning Take podcast, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly feels satisfied with the current playoff format with the Oilers set to meet the Los Angeles Kings for a fourth season in a row.
This format was brought to life in the 2014 playoffs which was vastly different compared to the playoff format forever of a one vs eight playoff bracket.
Daly feels current format is exciting for fans
Former NHL player turn podcast host Jay Rosehill asked Mr. Daly whether the league would want to change or tweak the format as many top teams will be facing off against one another in the first round.
Pretty satisfied with how it is. I mean, obviously that comes up from time to time, it's talked about is kicked around. I think the result has been that we haven't changed it, right? So it means I think we're satisfied with what we've got. We feel like, first of all, it's not bad to have really good matchups in the first two rounds of the playoffs if you can have them. I think it's exciting for the fans. It's good for the rightsholders, it's good from that perspective. So, then when it's competitively, you know, as a practical matter, you're gonna have to go through those teams anyway, to win a Stanley Cup championship and so I think our clubs have come to accept that there are pros and cons to it, but we think the pros outweigh the cons. - Bill Daly
Many fans across the NHL feel that the league needs to go back to the original format of one versus eight rather than this wild card style.
Others have agreed with the deputy commissioner that this format does build better rivalries as you are likely to meet the same teams repeatedly in the first round much like the Oilers have over the last four years.
Old playoff format better than current one
Having watched both formats as a fan for many years, the old format of one versus eight in my view is certainly better than the current one.
If the Oilers were in the old system and the playoffs were to begin today the team would not be facing off against the Los Angeles Kings again in Round 1 but facing off against the Vegas Golden Knights as it would be a three versus six bracket.
The old format allowed for more teams to play against others while some can meet each other a couple of years in a row, it would be less likely as teams change their rosters and position themselves differently in their conference.
The rivalries would also build overtime across the entire conference rather than the same team every year as many fans will get sick and tired of watching the same series repeatedly every year.
But as fans, we just state opinions but have no say in how it will change, and the current format will not change with Gary Bettman and Bill Daly running the league.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5 | 526 ANSWERS NHL deputy commissioner comments on Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings first round Which playoff format do you like for the NHL | ||
| Current Wildcard format | 124 | 23.6 % |
| Former 1 vs 8 format | 402 | 76.4 % |
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