Should the NHL increase the number of teams making the playoffs?

[Fenway]

One byproduct of NHL expansion is it has become much harder for teams to make the playoffs.

When the NHL added 4 teams from the WHA in 1979-80 the league then had 21 clubs and 16 made the playoffs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979–80_NHL_season

Next year the NHL will have 31 teams but still only 16 teams will make the postseason.

One proposal that the NHL is looking at is the top 2 teams in each division qualify and be given a bye. Then teams ranked 9 to 24 would play a best of 3 first round.

https://www.nhl.com/standings

If that format was in use today even the Islanders would still have a glimmer of hope.

The NHL historically has been generous in the number of teams to advance going back to when 4 of the so called original 6 teams would advance.

It would also mean that next season the 7 teams who do not qualify enter the draft lottery.

The NHL did have a best 2 of 3 first round in the 70's.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974–75_NHL_season

The Bruins were upset by Chicago in 1975 in a 3 game series as Tony Esposito stole Game 3.

I think the idea has some merit.

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[Seidenbergy]

Over half the teams make it. If anything, I'd support fewer teams making it. It's watered down enough.

 

[smithformeragent]

Not a fan at all.

I feel like the loser point already keeps teams artificially alive in the playoff hunt longer than they have business being so.

The NHL could look a lot different very soon.
The owners have a very different product in mind than most of their consumers want IMO.

It could very soon get to the point where this is no longer the sport I grew up loving.

 

[Fenway]

Over half the teams make it. If anything, I'd support fewer teams making it. It's watered down enough.

I understand your logic.

But if 24 teams made the playoffs the mood here in Bruins nation would be a little more relaxed. The good teams are rewarded with a bye which is important. Then you would have the fun drama of teams at the bottom wondering if it is better to make the playoffs or enter the lottery.

 

[Spanky185]

Fewer is better. Outside of one game deciding an LDS berth, MLB does it the best

 

[Boston Bruno]

I would perfer if the regular season consisted of each team playin each other twice.

Then worst plays first, no matter what division etc they are in. Double knock out pools (A side B side - once you lose in B side you are done)

EG

Carolina Beats boston in A side - Boston goes to B side

Carolina continues on A side

Montreal beats Rangers on A Side - Rangers move to B side and play Boston next

Carolina Play Montreal in A Side -

Bruins Beat Rangers
Montreal beats Carolina

Montreal stays A side - Carolina moves to B and plays Boston AGAIN and Rangers are out.

I realize it is far more convoluted with 31 teams as you would need a Bye etc - but you could really see teams play each other twice in a playoff series - and the boring regular season games would end at 62.

 

[Blainer114*]

No way. I don't even like that they're adding more teams, 30 is enough and tgey're adding more. Also prefer the 1 vs 8 playoff system over the division playoffs match ups theyre doing now.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

It should stay the same, 16 teams in.

That said, if each team can make an extra dime then they will add teams.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

If they do it will just make the regular season even more pointless.

 

[plemur]

A sub .500 team should NEVER have the chance to play in the postseason. It's just wrong. I don't care how many teams play in the postseason, so long as they are all over .500.

 

[alg363636]

No. Half of them make it already. The regular season would be pointless. There's already way too much parity and teams sneaking in because of the loser points that don't deserve to be there. The Islanders don't deserve a glimmer of hope. Good teams make the playoffs, bad teams shouldn't.

 

[Gee Wally]

No

No

No

 

[Jorah Marshmont]

Absolutely not.

 

[Slapshot18]

They should have relegation rounds.. that might motivate some management across the league (I know this is never going to happen)

 

[patty59]

No

No

No

No..

 

[JAD]

How many games next year and what type of a schedul - regular season?

Assuming 16 playoff teams.

 

[JOKER 192]

No. The league is so far from where they can justify adding more teams, let alone PO teams. PO's are ending in mid June as is. there just isn't any realistic scenario for adding more PO teams.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I understand your logic.

But if 24 teams made the playoffs the mood here in Bruins nation would be a little more relaxed. The good teams are rewarded with a bye which is important. Then you would have the fun drama of teams at the bottom wondering if it is better to make the playoffs or enter the lottery.

This explanation makes the idea even worse.

 

[missingchicklet]

Absolutely no. The regular season needs to mean something. In a league with this much parity it makes no sense to give low achieving teams over the course of the season a shot at unseating a team that performed well. Also, this would hurt the product in the final quarter of the season. Teams in certain positions would be more able to sit out players much earlier and rest them without fear of missing the playoffs. Over half the league already makes the playoffs. That's more than enough.

 

[Fenway]

How many games next year and what type of a schedul - regular season?

Assuming 16 playoff teams.

Same as this year EXCEPT there will no longer be 5 game season series in the division to allow for Las Vegas.

 

[Estlin]

 

[Pia8988]

This explanation makes the idea even worse.

Agreed

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

This idea would also make the trade deadline as insignificant as the NFL's.

 

[Cronuss]

No. If anything, less teams.

 

[JRull86]

Nope. Nope. Nope.