The NHL and the NHL Gamers’ Affiliation inked a brand new collective bargaining settlement on July 6, via Sept. 15, 2030. The present CBA ends after the 2025-26 season.
With league growth attainable, many are discussing whether or not the playoff discipline ought to change. Some NHL stars on the Participant Media Tour in Las Vegas have been requested concerning the matter, and so they shared their opinions.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy stated the NHL might have to regulate if it expands.
“We’re about to have extra sports activities groups in a league than every other sports activities league in North America,” McAvoy stated on Monday, by way of The Athletic. “So, that in itself is one thing. Ought to that change the parameters? Maybe. I feel that ushering in new change, proper? If that’s going to alter (extra groups), possibly different issues want to alter.”
The 2026-27 season will characteristic an extended schedule as groups will play 84 video games as a substitute of 82. This adjustment, together with different modifications, was the first motive behind the dialogue of additionally altering the playoff format.
Nonetheless, quite a lot of gamers choose protecting 16 groups. Colorado Avalanche’s Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Cale Makar was one in every of them.
“I like the best way it’s, personally,” Maker stated. “I feel it’s an ideal playoff format, apart from one to eight, we must always most likely return to that. I really feel like all of the gamers need again to 1 to eight. I feel that is a factor that we would like, however I get it. I perceive the playoff format now. It makes the highway more durable generally.”
Vegas Golden Knights middle Jack Eichel additionally needs the playoffs to stay the identical.
“I imagine it ought to keep,” Eichel stated. “I feel for those who’re going to alter something, possibly simply the format of the playoffs itself, simply seed it one via eight.”
Different gamers supported the 16-team format, like Washington Capitals ahead Pierre-Luc Dubois.
“Proper now, I like 16 groups due to the 32 groups,” Dubois stated. “It’s 50 %. But when they moved on from that (if the league expands) and tried one thing new, I like making an attempt new issues.”
Detroit Purple Wings ahead Alex DeBrincat additionally shared his ideas.
“It’s been 16 groups for a very long time,” DeBrincat stated. “I might like to be within the playoffs yearly, however I feel that’s what makes it that a lot better, that not everybody makes it yearly. It makes it so exhausting to win the Stanley Cup. I feel I might maintain it the identical.”
Growth may change the format sooner or later, however the majority worth the problem and custom of the system in place.
Cale Makar and Jack Eichel mentioned matchups in NHL playoffs
The NHL wild card typically results in the identical matchups annually. Avalanche defenseman Cole Makar acknowledged this, however he nonetheless prefers to maintain the present format.
“I imply, for those who’re from Edmonton or L.A., I might say so, yeah,” Makar stated on Monday, by way of ESPN. “Typically you get matchup and generally you’re taking part in a top-six staff with one other top-six staff, like we did this previous yr. That is the best way she goes.
“For apparent causes. We’re taking part in Dallas within the first spherical, a top-six (general staff) and we have been prime six, too. However I might nonetheless maintain 16 groups. I wouldn’t increase it.”
Golden Knights middle Jack Eichel added that the present format creates repeat matchups yearly. He steered utilizing a 1-through-8 format for extra selection.
“You see the identical matchups yr after yr due to the best way the present scenario is formatted,” Eichel stated. “I feel for those who went to 1 via 8, you may see two groups who haven’t performed one another in a playoff collection need to play one another earlier. That may be what I might change.”
Eichel highlighted that he doesn’t just like the play-in format, as he prefers a less complicated playoff system with out further video games.
Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
