Top NHL Insider Reveals First Change NHL Will Make When a New Commissioner is Named
Photo credit: Kirby Lee Imagn Images
When Commissioner Gary Bettman finally steps aside, his replacement is likely to make a drastic change to the playoff format that may or may not sit well with fans.
The new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement comes into effect in September of 2026 and will be tacking on an additional two games to the regular season schedule while also reducing training camp along with a handful of other changes as agreed upon by the NHL and NHLPA.
One of the more contentious topics among some media members and many fans that unfortunately won't be changing is the playoff format.
However, as the league prepares for the eventual retirement of 72-year-old Commissioner Gary Bettman, that could change, according to TSN's Chris Johnston, but not in the way fans would like it to.
Chris Johnston Reveals First Change New Commissioner Could Make
Earlier this week, CJ was on 'The Steve Dangle Podcast' discussing all things across the league and shared that there is a significant demand for a change to the playoff format. The league will likely implement a "play-in" scenario, such as the one the NBA operates with, to expand the playoffs to additional teams.
"I can tell you internally the demand for that is so high; when there is a change in Commissioner. I think it'll be one of the first major changes the league makes."
Following the NBA's lead would of course allow the league to secure additional revenue from having more playoff games and would also lead to more teams playing meaningful games in March and April.
Hypothetical currently, but thankfully it's not something the new Commissioner would be able to instil themselves and it would have to be agreed on by the players. Whether the players would want to add more games to their 84-game season that will now include a 'best-on-best' tournament every two seasons remains to be seen.
As Bettman is approaching his 34th year as NHL Commissioner, there has been no indication that this will be his last, but after nearly three-and-a-half decades, his time certainly looks to be coming to an end in the near future and with it, will come some very significant changes for everyone involved.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 2021 ANSWERS Top NHL Insider Reveals First Change NHL Will Make When a New Commissioner is Named Would you like to see a play-in playoff format? | ||
| Yes | 512 | 25.3 % |
| No | 535 | 26.5 % |
| If they go back to the 1-vs-8 type matchups, sure | 974 | 48.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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