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For the past few seasons the AHL has had a modified playoff format that allows for 23 teams to have a “taste” of post season play. Whether or not this will translate to the NHL seems like a stretch but may at least be worth keeping an eye on.
Throughout the past months a few “proposed” changes have been made, along with industry shifts and starting next season we’ll see something interesting in July. Here are a couple of the changes:
1. - decentralized draft. After this year’s spectacle at Las Vegas’s biggest ball the draft will have a different look. Contrary to past arguments, deals were still talked about on the floor and player trades were made (even one during an autograph signing). Will the multimedia spectacle be used to take attention off of the draft floor? It seems at least plausible
2. - a reduced draft being floated to Friedman with an interest from both agents and teams. 4 rounds seems unlikely, but 5 or 6 doesn’t seem crazy at this point. The contention from agents is an inability to, well, make money on their client while their rights are held. From the GM point of view, look to development camp. A week of meals, equipment, staff along with follow up by scouts throughout the year. There is a dollar amount associated with players who don’t make the team. It will be interesting to see if more is made of that idea over the coming year
3. Expanded playoff format. Few teams have been “vocal” about finances in terms of regular season vs. post season. Nashville, after being in the finals, let it be known in a year soon after that there would be a net loss in HRR for the franchise. Most of you know that “salaries” turn into bonuses in the post season. I.E., a pool of money is agreed upon by the league and NHLPA that pays a stipend for each round a player or ref participates in. That shifts the up front costs for the hosting arena to go directly to their portion of HRR. The beginning of the year is more geared toward players. Initial paychecks, bonuses, etc really only have season ticket a pre season franchise retail bringing funds in. Broadcasting checks come in at the end of each decided upon period (a month, a third of the season, etc)
The issue with expanded playoffs is an obvious one. This is a grueling playoff format as it is. Losing teams release injury lists that would sideline most mere mortals. From punctured lungs, broken ribs, dislocated shoulders, torn ACL/MCL, broken vertebrae etc. Adding another round (assuming buy ins for the top 3 in each division) may also dilute the overall product. As much as many of us would love to see Detroit in the post season, entry by expansion may serve to feel like an invalidation of some kind.
Regardless, let me know your thoughts. Changes are always part of life. At some point, more will be made. More and more stat sites are using A.I. to do mass gatherings of data with mixed results. We’ve seen the entertainment landscape shift drastically. In hockey, what seems to be the next likely shift, and are the benefits outweighing the losses?
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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