Gary Bettman doesn’t want to change the playoff format

Gary Bettman won't hear of it. Period.
According to a report by Renaud Lavoie on the show JiC, the NHL commissioner has no intention of changing the current playoff format. It's a topic that comes up every year… but never goes anywhere.

And the answer is always the same.

Q “I'm more than comfortable with the current format.” — Gary BettmanQ

The NHL commissioner has no desire to make changes—quite the opposite.https://t.co/nrfhsR26Un
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 18, 2026

It couldn't be clearer.

In Gary Bettman's mind, the current system is working exactly as intended. Yes, it can lead to tough matchups as early as the first round. Yes, some big teams get eliminated too soon.

But for him, that's precisely the point.
The current format puts pressure on teams right from the end of the regular season. Division races become crucial, rivalries intensify… and when the playoffs begin, there's no letup.

Want to advance? You'd better be ready from Day 1.

And if you want a concrete example, you don't have to look far.
If the playoffs started today, two teams that could go all the way would face off in the first round. I'm talking about the Dallas Stars (2nd overall) and the Minnesota Wild (5th overall). Fortunately or unfortunately, this scenario is highly likely to happen, and one of the two teams will be eliminated in the first round.

This matchup, which on paper looks much more like a second- or third-round series.

But with the current format? It happens. And it's going to keep happening.
Obviously, not everyone agrees.

Many (including me) would like to see a return to a 1 vs. 8 format, to better reward the top-ranked teams in each conference. Because right now, it often happens that two dominant teams face off much too early.

But Bettman doesn't see that as a problem.

On the contrary.

He's banking on the spectacle. On the immediate intensity. On series that pack a punch right from the start.

And as long as it works that way…
There is absolutely no reason for him to change anything.
The message is clear: the debate can continue on the outside… but internally, it's already settled.

In a flurry– Wow!

Ovechkin is now one goal shy of 1,000 career goals (regular season & playoffs).
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) March 19, 2026
– A beautiful goal by Samuel Blais.

https://t.co/WZ94seLch9 pic.twitter.com/NuxuNdMUXH
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) March 19, 2026
— Don't miss it!

On the @passion_mlb podcast, @SebasBerrouard and I discuss the World Classic and Jose Berrios' injury https://t.co/xOsddVDsb1
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— The Rocket has qualified for the playoffs.

VICTORYYYYYY IN THE PLAYOFFS PLAYOFFS CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/p4gim5hAhQ
— Laval Rocket (@RocketLaval) March 19, 2026