Updated at 8:08 AM: ESPN’s Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski asked players who participated in the NHL/NHLPA North American Media Tour in Las Vegas an assortment of questions, including their favorite “cheat meals” to their takes on the new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL’s new dress code, and more:
How would you change or expand the playoff format? Or do you prefer it as is?
“I think it’s nice the way it is. I think you get those [great] match-ups every year. The only tough thing is that two contenders might play each other in the first round, but it’s part of it. You’ve got to beat the best to be the best. I got no problems with it.” — Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings
Patrick Kane on Olympic Development Camp invite: “I think there was just talking with my agent about how there’s the potential of maybe making the team and that I was under consideration. So when you hear that, it’s not really that big of a surprise that you’re there. Probably a little bit more surprised that Alex [DeBrincat] was left off, but I think both of us have some motivation to get off to good starts this year.”
Patrick Kane, after Sidney Crosby interrupted an interview to say hello: “That’d be a good centerman to play with.”
Update: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun also asked Debrincat about the concept of a playoff play-in…
“I think the tradition of hockey goes so deep, and it’s been 16 teams for a long time,” the Detroit Red Wings goal-scorer said. “I would love to be in the playoffs every year, but I think that’s what makes it that much better, is that not everyone makes it every year. There’s half the teams that go home after that. It makes it so hard to win the Stanley Cup. I’m not a huge person for change, so I think I would keep it the same. We don’t really want to give out handouts. We’ve got to work for what we get.’’
And LeBrun asked Kane about going back to 1-vs-8 playoff seeding:
The 1-8 seeding, which I’m also in favor of going back to, is more attractive to most players.
“The thing I do like is the 1 to 8 seeding,” said likely future Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Kane. “I think that goes better as far as rivalries. … I think it creates more memorable playoff series if you go 1 versus 8.’’
Kane also added he could contemplate a play-in if the NHL expanded. So perhaps that’s when the playoff expansion debate gathers more fuel. Not to mention whenever it is Bettman decides to retire as commissioner. There’s no question in my mind there are owners and team executives waiting until that moment before giving the play-in another go in league discussions.
Continued (paywall)
