NHL Insights: No Expanded Playoffs and Potential Schedule Changes

Welcome to another edition of NHL Insights instead of looking at teams we are looking at hot topics coming out of the Board of Governors meetings that include potential expanded playoff and schedule changes.

A new season means NHL Insights has returned. The annual Board of Governors meetings happened in Florida last week. Lots of topics were discussed. However, three major points came out of the meetings: the salary cap, Commissioner Gary Bettman saying No to Expanded Playoffs, and the NHL schedule potentially changing. In addition, there is an NHL Milestone Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is about to hit.

Time to dive into some NHL Insights for the past week.

NHL Insights: Expanded Playoff, Schedule Changes, and Salary Cap

Bettman Says No To Expanded Playoffs

One of the major questions that was asked of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was the potential for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to expand with an additional play-in round. However, Commissioner Bettman immediately shot down the idea of a play-in round. Whether you like him or not, Bettman has a great point… why are people looking to change something or looking to fix something that is not broken? The Stanley Cup Playoffs have the best first round in all of sports. That is not up for debate. Even those not in the sport will agree with that statement.

But there are some who believe because other professional leagues expanded their playoffs, the NHL should. But with 16 out of 32 teams making the playoffs, there is no need to add more teams. The Return to Play Stanley Cup Bubble Tournament was different after having five months off because of the COVID shutdown that season. However, the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is so exciting and you never know what to expect. Take the NFL out of the equation because people will watch that no matter what, then you are left with MLB and NBA.

Neither of those expanded playoffs is the greatest. This year was the first year of the expanded wild card round and outside of one series, they were all sweeps. The NBA play-in round is just too confusing to explain in writing. But with half the teams making it now, the NHL should not reward mediocrity.

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NHL Schedule Potentially Changing

Another hot topic of debate is the NHL schedule. There have been several reports the NHL is looking to add more rivalry games next season. One report has the number at six to eight, while others refute that number and it could be as many as four games within the division with their rivals. There is also a report the NHL may add two games and have an 84-game schedule. The last time the NHL had an 84-game season was 1994. There was a short period from 1992-1994 the NHL played 84 games. Again the NHLPA had to approve the additional games as they wanted them to be neutral site games.

The big talk about the expanded schedule is rivalries, but we have been told numerous times rivalries are built in the playoffs. These things can’t be forced. Executives in the NHL site Calgary-Edmonton as the norm, when it is not. Throw out the Battle of Alberta, the Battle of Ontario, the Forever Rivals (Toronto-Montreal), and the Original Six Rivals. That has been built over time. Even with teams that are geographic rivals like the Devils, Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, and Penguins. But most of these rivalries were built in the playoffs.

Again if there are going to be any changes to the NHL schedule, the NHLPA has to approve them. One thing is for sure, the players are going to want fewer preseason games and a shorter training camp.

Salary Cap Increase 

Another topic that came out of the Board of Governors meetings was the salary cap. There were initial reports earlier in the season, the cap would go up as much as $4 million, Commissioner Bettman told the press the salary cap may only go up by $1 million again next season. This was the initial projection when the NHL renegotiated the CBA during the return to play bubble. This is disappointing as a bump of $1 million does not really help teams out. The salary cap only went up $1 million this season and it delayed a lot of moves.

But you have to wonder if Bettman and the League want it that way. Considering the “Parity” they have created and the even playing field. Teams have to play cap gymnastics instead of making hockey trades. That would not be the case with a soft cap and a luxury tax. But with all these record revenue streams coming in, you have to wonder if the NHL isn’t telling the players the whole truth.

Again something to keep an eye on, because eventually the players will get tired of this and the escrow and will want to see their salaries increase similar to those in the NBA. That is why players are shortening the term of their deals to max out multiple times.

All eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin as he is one goal away from tying Gordie Howe with 801 goals in NHL history. Ovechkin is two away from passing Howe for second all-time in goals. The next person to pass would be the Great One Wayne Gretzky.