NHL Needs to Expand Number of Playoff Eligible Teams..

When the NHL expanded from 30 to 32 teams by adding the Seattle Kraken, they should have also expanded the number of playoff eligible teams from 16 to 20.

There could be 10 teams from each conference with the 7-10 teams competing in a play-in round.

Other sports leagues have adopted this concept with excellent results. Let's face it, adding four more teams to the playoffs makes it much more appealing and definitely more profitable for the NHL. We all know the NHL likes financial inflow. They collected a $650 million expansion fee from the Kraken ownership. Perhaps that was enough for them nah, sports leagues LOVE to make money, and so do NHL owners.

The play-in tournament would involve the 9th seeded team playing the 10th seeded team in a best of three series. The winner of that series would then become the 8th overall seed. The winner of the 7th seeded team vs the 8th seeded team becomes the 7th overall seed.


That still leaves 16 teams vying for Lord Stanley's prized cup. What it does is allow more teams involved in the postseason and more revenue in the owner's pockets.

The other option could be expanding the present playoff process to include four wildcard teams instead of just two.

The race for the NHL playoffs would become even more exciting!

Under that premise, in the Eastern Conference the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets would qualify with current standings.

In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks would extend their seasons.

Wow! Wouldn't that be great? Which option do you like?