Like any business, the National Hockey League is always looking for new or more efficient ways to generate revenue. Over the past three years, the salary cap has remained virtually unchanged. Next season, the salary cap is expected to be $83.5 million
When the division model was introduced in the NHL, it was done with the goal of creating rivalries between teams in the same division. Now, with 32 teams in the league, it is extremely difficult to build such a dynamic between teams. Each team plays everyone in the league at least once a year. Therefore, teams cannot play each other more than about 4 times per season
According to Sportico, the NHL is trying to find a solution to create stronger rivalries:
