Jeremy Laura: Is the AHL the “sounding board” for potential playoff format change?

The AHL only does it because of how their schedule works and divisions being different sizes.

The AHL only does it because of how their schedule works and divisions being different sizes.
- Feds91Stammer

I don’t think that’s the only reason. It definitely factors in. But we’re hearing owners say 16 of 32 teams won’t see the post season and it’s getting attention. The “play in” during shut down was interesting, but like I said in the write up the post season is a brutal contest. I don’t know how they add without diluting the product

The NHL has had a 16-team playoff field since 1980, when there were only 21 teams. Now there are 32.

If you look throughout NHL history (since the challenge era), for the most part the fraction of teams making the playoffs has been closer to 2/3 than 1/2:

- Pre-O6 era (1927-1942): 6 playoff teams out of 7-10 total
- O6 era (1943-1967): 4 playoff teams out of 6 total
- Early expansion (1968-1974): 8 playoff teams out of 12-16 total
- Late 70s (1975-1979): 12 playoff teams out of 17-18 total
- Post WHA merger (1980-1991): 16 playoff teams out of 21 total

Except for a couple years in the early 70s (8 playoff teams out of 14-16) and every year since 1999 (when the league expanded to 27 teams), at least 60% of NHL teams made the playoffs.

I wouldn't mind seeing something like this:

- 10 playoff teams per conference
- Seeds 1-6 get a first-round bye
- Seeds 7-10 do a play-in round at best of 3 or 5
- Conference quarterfinals best of 5 or 7
- Rest of playoffs best of 7

There is some precedence for something like this, and not just the COVID playoffs. During the late 70s (12-team format) the division winners all got byes, and the remaining 8 teams played best of 3 in the first round.

The NHL has had a 16-team playoff field since 1980, when there were only 21 teams. Now there are 32.

If you look throughout NHL history (since the challenge era), for the most part the fraction of teams making the playoffs has been closer to 2/3 than 1/2:

- Pre-O6 era (1927-1942): 6 playoff teams out of 7-10 total
- O6 era (1943-1967): 4 playoff teams out of 6 total
- Early expansion (1968-1974): 8 playoff teams out of 12-16 total
- Late 70s (1975-1979): 12 playoff teams out of 17-18 total
- Post WHA merger (1980-1991): 16 playoff teams out of 21 total

Except for a couple years in the early 70s (8 playoff teams out of 14-16) and every year since 1999 (when the league expanded to 27 teams), at least 60% of NHL teams made the playoffs.

I wouldn't mind seeing something like this:

- 10 playoff teams per conference
- Seeds 1-6 get a first-round bye
- Seeds 7-10 do a play-in round at best of 3 or 5
- Conference quarterfinals best of 5 or 7
- Rest of playoffs best of 7

There is some precedence for something like this, and not just the COVID playoffs. During the late 70s (12-team format) the division winners all got byes, and the remaining 8 teams played best of 3 in the first round.
- Sven22

Honest question, should the league consider 1 or 2 fewer regular season games in that screnario? I like what you’ve outlined. Very well presented (as always). Well done

If I'm a top contender and I know that 10 or 12 teams in each conference make the playoffs...well I probably hit cruise control, rest my top players, keep my goalie under 50 starts, play around with LTIR like Vegas has. This would diminish the value of the regular season.

Support dropping a couple preseason games, but don't go from 82 to 84. Stay at 82. Start the season 2 weeks sooner.

Honest question, should the league consider 1 or 2 fewer regular season games in that screnario? I like what you’ve outlined. Very well presented (as always). Well done
- Jeremy Laura

I don't think you would need to.

The tough part about playoff expansion is just that the math. Any playoff bracket greater than 16 teams but less than 32 will require byes, and five total rounds to complete.

I don't think anybody would be happy with a best-of-seven play-in round. Play-in teams wouldn't be happy about having to win five Bo7s to win the Cup. Bye teams wouldn't be happy about the possibility of a 2-week break before their playoffs even start. So your play-in round is probably going to be Bo3. And in that case, I don't think you need to shorten the season.

If I'm a top contender and I know that 10 or 12 teams in each conference make the playoffs...well I probably hit cruise control, rest my top players, keep my goalie under 50 starts, play around with LTIR like Vegas has. This would diminish the value of the regular season.

Support dropping a couple preseason games, but don't go from 82 to 84. Stay at 82. Start the season 2 weeks sooner.
- HockeyBuzzed

Counter-argument: expanding to 20-24 makes the regular season more valuable for elite teams.

A 10-team field means you have to finish top 6 to get a first-round bye.

A 12-team field means you have to finish top 4 to get a first-round bye.

If you're doing a play-in round, it's probably going to be best of 3, because nobody wants to have to play five Bo7 series and nobody wants the top teams sitting on the sidelines for two weeks getting rusty. Bo3 means more chaos and less predictability. It also means the possibility of getting knocked out after just 1 or 2 home playoff games of revenue.

Bye teams also have the possibility of an easier first matchup if a 9-10 or 9-12 seed advances out of the play in.

Expanding to 10 or 12 greatly increases the importance of finishing top 4/6 in the conference instead of just getting in.

If I'm a top contender and I know that 10 or 12 teams in each conference make the playoffs...well I probably hit cruise control, rest my top players, keep my goalie under 50 starts, play around with LTIR like Vegas has. This would diminish the value of the regular season.

Support dropping a couple preseason games, but don't go from 82 to 84. Stay at 82. Start the season 2 weeks sooner.
- HockeyBuzzed

I am genuinely concerned about diminishing the product. This is the back and forth. The 2002 Wings had qualified pretty early for the playoffs and essentially fell off.

There's already half the league making the postseason. If anything, change the playoff format so we stop getting repeat matchups. It's not building rivalries. #1 and #2 in each conference should go to the division winners and then #3-8 to however they finish the season in the respective conference. Not logistically practical, but I wish they did leaguewide #1-16 seeded postseasons.

You kidding with all this, right?
This season alone, #8 seed in the East and a West were both a joke, you want more of those?

Red Wings Sign Michael Brandsegg-Nygård to ELC
The deal will carry an annual average value of $975K.

Leave the PO format alone. It is fine the way it is. YA NEED TO EARN IT!!

You kidding with all this, right?
This season alone, #8 seed in the East and a West were both a joke, you want more of those?
- StargateSG1

Take a look at what I wrote. These are conversations that have been had, I’m concerned you couldn’t alter the format without diluting the product. It’s July 11th and I’m digging through interesting items that have been bandied about. The length of the season and the length of the playoffs make it quite difficult to consider, but ownership in the league is unhappy that half of the league just shuts down with the league wanting to add more clubs. It’s just a question to bandy about

Red Wings Sign Michael Brandsegg-Nygård to ELC
The deal will carry an annual average value of $975K.
- HenryHockey

Thank you for that. We may touch on that tomorrow. I liked his skating at the prospect’s camp but a year with ASP on a team looking to have success should do him a lot of good.

Side note - there was already discussion that ASP could be the top power play guy in GR, but his development in Sweden is still very useful (especially with Nygard on the team)

I agree 1-16 seeding would be great , new matchups etc. The old format worked when there was true rivalries which no longer exist. I use to watch Boston/Montreal or Nyrangers/islanders. Etc. but now when the red wings are eliminated could care less. Most series are boring

Take a look at what I wrote. These are conversations that have been had, I’m concerned you couldn’t alter the format without diluting the product. It’s July 11th and I’m digging through interesting items that have been bandied about. The length of the season and the length of the playoffs make it quite difficult to consider, but ownership in the league is unhappy that half of the league just shuts down with the league wanting to add more clubs. It’s just a question to bandy about
- Jeremy Laura

Let them owners whine and we can get them some cheese with that.
With the Salary Cap and 32 teams the league is already diluted in regular season, no reason to further dilute the playoffs so some mediocre GMs can say, "but look, my team made playoffs".

You kidding with all this, right?
This season alone, #8 seed in the East and a West were both a joke, you want more of those?
- StargateSG1

Yeah and the year before that an 8 seed beat the presidents trophy winner. See how easy it is to cherry pick things?

I like how the NBA does their 7-10 play in.

7 and 8 play 1 game. Winner becomes 7 seed.

9 and 10 play 1 game. Loser is eliminated. Winner plays 1 game of the 7/8 loser for the 8 seed.

7 or 8 have to go 0-2 to miss the playoffs.

9 or 10 have to go 2-0 to make the playoffs.

I like how the NBA does their 7-10 play in.

7 and 8 play 1 game. Winner becomes 7 seed.

9 and 10 play 1 game. Loser is eliminated. Winner plays 1 game of the 7/8 loser for the 8 seed.

7 or 8 have to go 0-2 to miss the playoffs.

9 or 10 have to go 2-0 to make the playoffs.
- Feds91Stammer

That’s a pretty cool model. Thanks for that. Much appreciated

Yeah and the year before that an 8 seed beat the presidents trophy winner. See how easy it is to cherry pick things?
- Feds91Stammer

Context matters, Panthers devastated by injuries during regular season when they made the 8 seed does not equal pathetic Capitals.

Context matters, Panthers devastated by injuries during regular season when they made the 8 seed does not equal pathetic Capitals.
- StargateSG1

Nobody said it was equal…but using one as an example and ignoring the other is stupid.

Nobody said it was equal…but using one as an example and ignoring the other is stupid.
- Feds91Stammer

I guess it's not "stupid" to want more regular season games, aka play ins, to determine which mediocre team becomes the 1st round cannon fodder.

I like how the NBA does their 7-10 play in.

7 and 8 play 1 game. Winner becomes 7 seed.

9 and 10 play 1 game. Loser is eliminated. Winner plays 1 game of the 7/8 loser for the 8 seed.

7 or 8 have to go 0-2 to miss the playoffs.

9 or 10 have to go 2-0 to make the playoffs.
- Feds91Stammer

So you play 82 games. You get 99 points. You finish in 7th. And then you lose two quick games and the whole season is over? Sorry. I will never be in favour of that. You deserve a 7 game series and the opportunity to climb out of an 0-2 hole.

For those who want the drama of a play-in...well we got that in the final week of the season with Wash, Detroit, Pitt...all going down to the wire. Wash won 3 in a row and edged the others out. That was the drama.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andrey Tarasenko, father of NHL winger Vladimir Tarasenko, died suddenly in Russia at age 56. Andrey was the developmental coach and trainer for KHL club HC Siber.




Condolences to the Tarasenko family and HC Siber.