NHL answers changes to playoff format, may cancel major event due to low fan interest
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The NHL currently holding their annual GM meetings after the trade deadline, this year discussing some major changes including adjustments to the playoff formatting and the All Star Game.
In addition, the NHL has already tabled adjustments to lengthen the regular season to 84 games, and shorten the preseason. These changes are not official yet.
NHL considering major changes to league events including playoffs and all star game
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, one issue raised at the GM meetings was the repetition of their current playoff format, and a potential return to seeding 1 through 8. Unfortunately, Gary Bettman is no fan of the change,
About changing the playoff format in upcoming CBA talks, going back to the old 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 etc format. An empathic No from the commissioner. He likes the format the way it is now.
This rule change would have a massive impact for the Edmonton Oilers, who are right now on track to play the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth time in a row in the first round.
The divisional playoff seeding has created some rivalry, but it also does become very repetitive. The Kings themselves would probably like to avoid the Oilers in round 1 too.
Fans across the league are frankly fed up with the current playoff seeding where it seems matchups are set from December on. A return to 1 vs. 8 is extremely popular with fans.
NHL leaning toward cancelling All Star Game after 4 Nations Faceoff
The NHL's 4 Nations Faceoff even was one of the most successful in season tweaks that any major sport league in North America has tried in years.
The intensity of best on best hockey captured the entire sport world, and now, the NHL is realizing they can't go back to the sleepy all star game again.
Bettman's comments seem to be leaning toward cancelling the all star game altogether, or altering the event to meet the standard set by 4 Nations. Either way, the longtime commissioner is set to retire after the next CBA.
It was a welcome change to see the NHL nail a new event, and it's great to see they're committed to keeping it up.
| POLL | ||
MARS 19 | 448 ANSWERS NHL answers changes to playoff format, may cancel major event due to low fan interest Do you think the NHL should cancel the All Star Game from now on? | ||
| Yes | 352 | 78.6 % |
| No | 96 | 21.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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