Gary Bettman Facing Pressure to Make Controversial Change to NHL Playoffs Structure

The NHL is much different now from when 16 of 21 teams, or more than 75 percent, qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the expansion of the league in 2021-22 by the addition of the Seattle Kraken, that figure fell to 50 percent.

For everyone, that ratio is ideal. The postseason must be hard to make, and a balanced split between playoff and non-playoff clubs maintains that level. Nevertheless, there is a growing cry for expansion.

Governors, presidents, and some owners have even quietly hinted that perhaps it is time to go to a play-in or increase the size of the field.

But in that manner, there is a giant impediment: Gary Bettman. The NHL Commissioner has never seemed interested in expanding the 16-team structure. Year after year, he has brushed off play-in format queries.

In media availability this season at the Stanley Cup Final, he again indicated he's not interested.

But the argument isn't dying. Plenty of NHL governors have expressed interest in an NBA-style play-in tournament. Most NHL governors support it, which makes Bettman more and more alone on this issue, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun states.

The issue is tradition vs. expansion. Bettman is upholding the league's traditional playoff format, while most of his governors believe there is value in giving more teams and fan bases an opportunity to compete in meaningful late-season games.

For the time being, the commissioner insists. But under increasing pressure from within his own circle of owners, the question is not if the debate rages on, but how much longer Bettman can keep it shut.

Whether or not fans and governors will need to wait for Bettman's eventual retirement to reopen the debate remains to be seen.