Austin Konenski
The 2025-26 NHL season is winding down and the playoff race is heating up. The Eastern Conference is on a lightning pace with the Detroit Red Wings one point out of Stanley Cup Playoffs with 84 points and 12 games remaining. Meanwhile, the Western Conference is slacking this season, with the Los Angeles Kings sitting as the first team out with 73 points and 12 game left.
However, could the NHL adopt a similar format as the NBA? The league has been linked to a potential Play-In Tournament after the success in the NBA over the last few years. In fact, a new rumor has revealed the NHL’s stance on a Play-In Tournament for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman believes the Play-In Tournament is not a good idea, despite the influence from billionaires and the most powerful men in hockey, as reported by Darren Dreger on Barn Burner. The NBA’s Play-In Tournament has been successful; however, the fanbase has shown displeasure with it.
There are plenty of reasons why the Play-In Tournament is a good and bad idea. The tournament would add more drama on which NHL teams earn the final spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It would also give an extra opportunity for teams outside of the top 8 spots in each conference to make one last push.
However, there are several negatives, as the NHL playoff race is competitive mostly every season. If the NHL implanted a Play-In Tournament, it would make the 82 regular season games have less meaning moving forward. Plus, a team not even close to the playoffs could earn a spot if it is far below the other organizations.
For now, Bettman doesn’t believe the Play-In Tournament is a good idea, and it wouldn’t be shocking if it never comes to fruition.
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