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NHL, NHLPA gaining traction on 24-team playoff format

Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

By Zach Laing

May 17, 2020, 18:54 EDTUpdated: May 17, 2020, 21:01 EDT

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The NHL and NHLPA is gaining traction on creating a 24-team playoff format, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday.

Pierre LeBrun

@PierreVLeBrun

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Replying to @PierreVLeBrun

Again, tough to handicap at this point whether a format gets agreed upon this week or not but definite progress. A reminder that the NHL has a Board of Governors call Monday at 3 p.m. ET; and that the league may announce decision on the draft this week

3:03 PM · May 17, 2020

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LeBrun’s report comes days after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman laid out what this format could look like — a format that could see four hubs where games would be played out of.

The Pacific hub, which could see Vancouver as a host city, would feature them, Calgary, Edmonton, Vegas, Arizona and Minnesota.

The Central would see Colroado, St. Louis, Dallas, Nashville, Winnipeg and Chicago, while the Atlantic would feature Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Florida, Montreal and the Rangers.

Lastly, the Metropolitan hub would see Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Carolina, the Islanders and Columbus.

The first round “becomes” a five-game round robin — with a handicap by standings at arrival of the pause. Based on points percentage, the seeds could be given from 10 points (first) to 0 (sixth) at the start. If you think that’s too much, maybe go from five points to zero. That way, every team that comes back gets a minimum of five games.
Top four move on to the next round, and decide if we’re dealing with best-of-five or best-of-seven from then on. – Friedman

On Twitter: @zjlaing