Time to restructure the playoffs?

Question

After the Top 16 qualify, eight from each conference, how about getting rid of the Eastern/Western Conferences and having playoff rounds based on seeding? 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, and so on.

It could make the Stanley Cup more interesting with match ups like Boston vs. NYR, Toronto vs. Montreal.

Answer 1

Geography plays a big role in the structure of the NHL.  If you went to a 1-16 format, you could have east coast teams vs west coast teams every round, which means a lot of travel.  I suppose its possible, but the players union probably wouldn't like it either.

Answer 2

I think having played most of the season within your Conference, to then eliminate the Conference kind of spoils the flavor. I like the East vs. West flavor.

Having said that. I would like to see more inter-conference games in the regular season.

Answer 3

I don't agree with you, but I say take away the division winners getting the top three rankings...They should have two conferences only (no divisions)...The top eight teams based on points in each conference make the playoffs...Simple, and the best teams move on....

Answer 4

Playoffs are the best time of year and the one time of year that the owners haven't screwed with yet.  The playoffs are still old-time hockey.  The playoffs should never and will never change.

Answer 5

I don't like it.

Answer 6

It's been tried and discarded,

Answer 7

not a chance. its perfect the way it is. like the guy above said, it would spoil it.