I concur - the regular season is (should) be ended. There are 8-10 teams that would not make the playoffs, so why unnecessarily expose those players just to finish the season?
However, having the draft prior to the playoffs would also be problematic due to the amount of player trades that also take place leading up, and including that time. You can't trade players on teams in the playoffs.
Whatever revenue is generated from the proposed 24 team playoff scenario should be distributed around all 31 teams, after the 24 playoff teams pay for their playoff expenses. Keeping the P.O. series to best-of-five, with the conference final & Stanley Cup best-of-seven may keep next season close to normal.
Wouldn't surprise me if Bettman concocts some convoluted plan for season, draft, Free Agent period, and playoffs.
