Avalanche superstar Cale Makar stuns NHL by demanding major changes from Gary Bettman
Photo credit: NHLPA.com
Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar has sent shockwaves through the NHL by publicly calling on league commissioner Gary Bettman to implement significant changes to the playoff format, a bold demand that has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike.
The NHL's current playoff format has faced heavy criticism for years, and now Makar is calling on the league to scrap the system and return to its previous structure.
Cale Makar calls out the NHL in latest development.
Tom Banks from House of Hockey writes that in the past, the NHL's playoff format was widely considered ideal, as regular-season seeding truly mattered. The opening round featured classic 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, and 4v5 matchups that consistently delivered excitement, with fans embracing the drama and balance this structure created.
"However, in recent times the NHL have made a change and stuck by it, adding in a new format that simply doesn't make sense on paper, but despite the criticisms, Gary Bettman has been against any change." -Banks
Until now, the league had never been publicly called out for its unpopular playoff format, but the changes when Makar openly urged the NHL to revert back to the system of years past.
"I feel like all the players want back to 1-to-8." -Makar
On paper, that format makes sense, as the top four teams should theoretically hold a significant advantage over their opponents, a reward they've rightfully earned over the course of an 82-game regular season.
"As of right now, it's only the top two seeds that are now rewarded as they play the two Wild Card teams, with the other four teams are mixed up and forced to play their division rivals.
Sure, this could have led to good rivalries, but now, it gives us repeat matchups that no one truly wants to see, with the Kings and Oilers matching up for four straight seasons in the post-season, and it's a format that fans have been begging to change." -Banks
Sure, this could have led to good rivalries, but now, it gives us repeat matchups that no one truly wants to see, with the Kings and Oilers matching up for four straight seasons in the post-season, and it's a format that fans have been begging to change." -Banks
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether Makar's public criticism will spark private negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA over a potential change, but for now, the current playoff format looks here to stay.
Source:
House of Hockey
Cale Makar Calls On Gary Bettman & the NHL To Make Major Changes to Playoff Rules
House of Hockey
Cale Makar Calls On Gary Bettman & the NHL To Make Major Changes to Playoff Rules
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 13 | 37 ANSWERS Avalanche superstar Cale Makar stuns NHL by demanding major changes from Gary Bettman Is the 1-8 Stanley Cup Playoffs format better than the current one? | ||
| yes | 31 | 83.8 % |
| no | 6 | 16.2 % |
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