NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated regular-season additional time and the playoff format won’t be seeing any adjustments.
Bettman additionally introduced that no rule adjustments had been proposed throughout this week’s basic managers conferences.
An extension to the size of additional time within the common season was considered into consideration after the NHL experimented with a 10-minute three-on-three format through the 4 Nations Face-Off. Nonetheless, Bettman stated he prefers the present five-minute format.
“I am not a fan of the prolonged additional time due to ice situations and the wear and tear and tear on the gamers who could be enjoying the extra 5 minutes,” Bettman stated whereas talking Wednesday in Florida.
As for the playoff format, there have been some issues in regards to the present setup, which sees every division winner play a wild-card group whereas the second- and third-place groups in every division conflict in Spherical 1. This season, Stanley Cup contenders Toronto and Tampa Bay, and Colorado and Dallas are on a collision course within the first spherical, which means two of these groups might be eradicated early.
However Bettman disagreed with critics of the format, saying that the present setup means the playoffs are thrilling from starting to finish.
“I am fairly dug in on this, I like precisely what we’ve got and when you have a look at the races that we’re having for the common season, playoffs have began already. We’re in our play-in match, ” Bettman stated, in reference to the NBA’s addition of additional video games to find out the ultimate playoff groups. “Greatest group to win the Cup has bought to get by the most effective groups. And having nice matchups within the first rounds, that is not an issue, that is a terrific factor.”
