Bettman: NHL not interested in expanding playoffs

While other leagues have expanded their postseason pictures in recent years, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday he wouldn't change a thing about the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"The reason this is as good as it is is because the regular season and the playoffs are meaningful," he told the media during a conference Edmonton on Wednesday, per TSN. "Having half of our teams eligible, I think, is the right balance. I think it creates great competition throughout the regular season, makes the games most meaningful.

"There's nothing like our playoff tournament. The Stanley Cup is the hardest to win, and there's nothing in any sport like our first round."

The NHL previously expanded its postseason to include 24 teams and an additional qualifying round during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. The NBA has continued to use the play-in tournament it implemented in the 2020-21 campaign, and MLB expanded its postseason to include 12 teams this year. However, Bettman believes there's currently no need for change.

"Listen, I love the fact that people are so passionate about the game, there's always a debate about what we can change, OK?" he said. "But change for the sake of change, or change because somebody else is doing it differently - under the right circumstances (it) can make sense, but for us right now, we like where we are."