NHL commissioner Gary Bettman isn't budging on playoff or overtime formats that have drawn criticism from players, fans, and the media.
"You guys know I'm pretty dug in on this," Bettman told the media, including Sportsnet, when asked about the postseason system Wednesday in Florida.
"I like exactly what we have, and if you look at the races that we're having for the regular season, (the) playoffs have started already. We're in our 'play-in tournament,'" the commissioner added in reference to the NBA's addition of extra teams battling for postseason spots.
Some criticism of the NHL centers on the fact the league's focus on divisional matchups can lead to two of the best squads facing off in the opening round, or earlier than expected in general.
Bettman countered that notion with the old adage that the Stanley Cup champion has to play the cream of the crop regardless.
"Best team to win the Cup has got to get through the best teams," he said. "And you know what? Having great matchups in the first round, that's terrific. That's not a problem, that's a great thing."
The commissioner also dismissed the possibility of prolonging overtime.
"I'm not a fan of the (idea of an) extended overtime because of ice conditions and the wear and tear on the players who would be playing the additional five minutes, and I worry about that in (terms of) injuries," Bettman said.
The NHL adopted its current postseason bracket format in 2013-14. The top three teams from each of the four divisions qualify for the playoffs, as well as two wild-card clubs from each of the two conferences. The division winners face wild-card teams in the first round, while the clubs ranked second and third divisionally play against each other.
As a result, teams in a much more competitive division often get pitted against each other right away. Subsequent rounds are not reseeded, which they had been before the league adopted its current format.
In that system, the Eastern Conference and Western Conference's top teams were ranked No. 1 through 8 in the first round. Those two teams would face off, as well as No. 2 versus No. 7, and so forth, with reseeding taking place after Round 1 through to the Stanley Cup Final.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain and future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby said in February 2023 that he preferred the old format because teams should be rewarded given the grind of the regular season.
In terms of overtime and the shootout that follows in a tie game, Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid said in January of that year that he'd like to see 10 minutes of extra time and then no shootout, calling the latter a "crappy way to finish a game." However, he acknowledged the importance of the players' health and safety.
