There’s been plenty of chatter around the NHL about the possibility of expanding the playoffs to 24 teams. Even Islanders head coach Barry Trotz voiced support for it.
However, it doesn’t seem like the NHL is as gung ho about the idea. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly indicated during a 1-on-1 interview with National Hockey Now and NYI Hockey Now that he expects the format to stay the same going forward.
“I don’t think there’s any expectation or anticipation, certainly in the league office,” Daly told Toronto Correspondent Rob Simpson. “I don’t believe among the majority of our managers that it portends any change, shift, modification to our playoff format going forward. We think we have the best playoffs in all of sports. A lot of that has to do with the integrity of that playoff system.”
Since the NHL postseason began on Aug. 1 many have begun to speculate whether the NHL will consider expanding the playoffs to 24 teams, with some facsimile of a Qualifying Round and Round Robin. The NHL has had the current 16 team playoff format in place since the 1979-80 season when they merged with the WHA.
Trotz was asked about the idea last week and said that the league should look into it.
“There’s too much parity in the NHL,” Trotz told reporters. “I think it’s something the league will consider for sure and I’d be in favor of it.”
Still, for the time being, the NHL doesn’t appear to publically have an interest in changing things.
“I do think we continue to beleive that the playoff system we traditionally employ is the best one for our sport,” Daly said. “I would have every expectation that would continue.”
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