Should the NHL bring back this playoff format?
Instagram account @allhockeyculture brought up a point of bringing back one specific playoff format from when the pandemic first hit.
They shared a post with the caption:
''Question of the Day: do you think the NHL should bring back the playoff qualifiers from the bubble?
I personally believe this needs to happen. As the cap grows and more and more players are able to score and produce at high rates, there's more parity and talent across the league than ever. There are certainly more than 16 playoff-caliber teams, and (in my opinion) it's unfair for one or two points in a flawed standings system to determine who gets to play in the playoffs.
Along with this, revenue, marketing, and viewership are needed now more than ever with the NHL being covered by ESPN. What better way to corral new fans than to present them with a never seen before playoff system in a unique league?
What are your thoughts?''
I personally believe this needs to happen. As the cap grows and more and more players are able to score and produce at high rates, there's more parity and talent across the league than ever. There are certainly more than 16 playoff-caliber teams, and (in my opinion) it's unfair for one or two points in a flawed standings system to determine who gets to play in the playoffs.
Along with this, revenue, marketing, and viewership are needed now more than ever with the NHL being covered by ESPN. What better way to corral new fans than to present them with a never seen before playoff system in a unique league?
What are your thoughts?''
They brought up the idea of shortening the regular season and having the top four teams of each conference automatically make the playoffs, and play in a round robin of 1-4 seeding.
The remaining 5 to 12 seeds from each conference then play a best-of-five to advance to play the top four teams. (5 plays 12, 6 plays 11 etc.)
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