Michael Stuart: Should the NHL Keep the "Play-In" Round?

There's already a play-in round. It's called the regular season.

There's already a play-in round. It's called the regular season.
- tkecanuck341

This is basically my blog in two-sentence form.

Michael Stuart: Should the NHL Keep the "Play-In" Round?
- Michael_Stuart

I'd say yes, but losing teams don't have a shot at the lottery.
only the 8 teams (once SEA joins in) finishing last do.
and play 72 games instead of 82.

I'd say yes, but losing teams don't have a shot at the lottery.
only the 8 teams (once SEA joins in) finishing last do.
and play 72 games instead of 82.
- fidopro

Yep... Love it. Could even make it best of 3.

I say NO!! Leave the game alone they changed so much over the years 🤦‍♂️

No play in.

By all means keep a play in round and drop the regular season to 70 games or so. Players go through the motions many nights during the season anyways.

I m for 20 teams make the playoff

I m for 20 teams make the playoff
- Crosside

I wouldn't mind something like a one-game play-in for the wild-card spots. Structure it something like the 1-3 seeds in each division make it, then have a one-game 4 vs. 5 match-up across the divisions within each conference (i.e. the #4 team in the Atlantic would play the #5 team in the Metropolitan, and vice-versa). That only further reinforces the importance of trying to finish in the top-3 of the division, and also provides a context for limiting the NHL lottery to just the 11 (or soon 12) teams that don't have a chance at post-season games. There's honestly no reason for a team who misses the playoffs by a single point to even have a chance at a McDavid, Dahlin, or Lafreniere.

I wouldn't mind something like a one-game play-in for the wild-card spots. Structure it something like the 1-3 seeds in each division make it, then have a one-game 4 vs. 5 match-up across the divisions within each conference (i.e. the #4 team in the Atlantic would play the #5 team in the Metropolitan, and vice-versa). That only further reinforces the importance of trying to finish in the top-3 of the division, and also provides a context for limiting the NHL lottery to just the 11 (or soon 12) teams that don't have a chance at post-season games. There's honestly no reason for a team who misses the playoffs by a single point to even have a chance at a McDavid, Dahlin, or Lafreniere.
- khawk

Yes it’s disappointing the NHL has changed the lottery as a mechanism to stop bad teams from tanking into an opportunity to give the top picks to higher end teams.

I don't hate the thought of a play in but if you are going to do it. Just have it be for the wild card teams. Have 7 8 9 10 play.

I think the play in round has been fun in the context of the pandemic, I don't think it was a bad compromise. But keeping it going forward seems dumb. If they did, they better do the draft order draw once, not the goofy twofer system they did this season. Honestly, why they didn't just wait until the play in round had finished to do the lottery boggles my mind. Yeah, the NFL draft was good TV - but it was a whole draft. Not a five minute announcement of the draft order. What on earth were they thinking... exceptionally dumb.

I don't hate the thought of a play in but if you are going to do it. Just have it be for the wild card teams. Have 7 8 9 10 play.
- Mahewman

If they are going to do something I would only want it to be a home and home, like they do in football, Champions League.

They should do away with conferences once the play offs begin. The cup finals could get real interesting.

They should do away with conferences once the play offs begin. The cup finals could get real interesting.
- spazzbot

I'd love to see this too. Just go 1-16 straight up.

look, it was fun and all, but no. the NHL was made fun of for over half of the teams making it as it is.

that was a fun experiment during a quirky year. It had it's reasons, even if the way it was carried out didn't please everyone (how could it?).

if we have to do it again because of Covid, fine, but maybe we could tinker with that whole lottery pick thing, eh? Lets avoid that disaster. but as soon as we reach (new) normalcy, then lets get back to the tried and true method

I'd love to see this too. Just go 1-16 straight up.
- Michael_Stuart

1-16 doesn't make sense on so many levels. It would pretty much eliminate any rivalry since the schedule would have to change to everyone is playing everyone else the same number of times, and teams would never see the same teams in the playoffs more than a couple of times in a successful career.

Would the NHL really be better if we didn't get to see Crosby and Ovechkin battle it out every year?

The travel would also suck.

1-16 doesn't make sense on so many levels. It would pretty much eliminate any rivalry since the schedule would have to change to everyone is playing everyone else the same number of times, and teams would never see the same teams in the playoffs more than a couple of times in a successful career.

Would the NHL really be better if we didn't get to see Crosby and Ovechkin battle it out every year?

The travel would also suck.
- Hunkulese

I agree 24 teams is the new format. After the season the top 4 teams in each conference play for position in the playoff rounds, having the weaker teams getting a shot at a playin round for young players giving them some what of a feel of playoff off hockey and encourages them with some learning tools...

Yes. 24 teams in playoffs. Top 8 teams play seeding tournament. Regular season cut to 64-72 games. 1st round (play in) should be best of 7. In the seeding tournament some weight (points) can be awarded to the teams with the best regular season results.

Next year will also be a short season and an expanded playoff format will be necessary to sustain revenues. It is good this year but it will be so much better when hockey fans are back packing the rinks.

Original 6 allowed for 4 teams in playoffs (66.6%). If 24 of 32 teams make playoffs (75%), it is close enough to say tradition has been maintained.

no

look, it was fun and all, but no. the NHL was made fun of for over half of the teams making it as it is.

that was a fun experiment during a quirky year. It had it's reasons, even if the way it was carried out didn't please everyone (how could it?).

if we have to do it again because of Covid, fine, but maybe we could tinker with that whole lottery pick thing, eh? Lets avoid that disaster. but as soon as we reach (new) normalcy, then lets get back to the tried and true method
- Hesh_

I don't like all the tinkering around

Yes. 24 teams in playoffs. Top 8 teams play seeding tournament. Regular season cut to 64-72 games. 1st round (play in) should be best of 7. In the seeding tournament some weight (points) can be awarded to the teams with the best regular season results.

Next year will also be a short season and an expanded playoff format will be necessary to sustain revenues. It is good this year but it will be so much better when hockey fans are back packing the rinks.

Original 6 allowed for 4 teams in playoffs (66.6%). If 24 of 32 teams make playoffs (75%), it is close enough to say tradition has been maintained.
- spatso

Disagree. The regular season means more with only half making it to post season.

Have a play in round involving every team in the NHL. That way everyone has a chance to be a winner. But if you're a Top 16 team and you lose to the lower seed, your first round pick becomes property of the underdog team that beat you.

Disagree. The regular season means more with only half making it to post season.
- MisterBrown

I think you really do believe what you are saying. But, if they change format to add 4 or 8 more teams, you will adapt soon enough.