| Friday, November 3
By Al Morganti
Special to ESPN.com |
|
There are no concrete plans to expand the current number of teams which
qualify
for the playoffs. But according to several general managers and league
personnel, there is
a chance the number of teams which make the playoffs may expand from 16 to 20 teams by
next
spring.
"I think the number of teams which qualify for the playoffs is going to
be a hot
issue over the summer," said Vancouver general manager Brian Burke. "I
think the conversation is going to begin when the league has meetings during
the Stanley
Cup finals, and I think it will continue from there."
Based on the 1999-2000 final standings, the Canucks finished 10th in the
Western
Conference. If the league had expanded the playoff format to 20 teams, the
Canucks would
have made the playoffs.
So, you would think Burke would be in favor, right? Wrong.
"With two more teams coming in (Minnesota and Columbus), I think we've got
it
about right with about half the teams (16 out of 30) making the playoffs. In
my opinion,
there has to be some emphasis and reward for playing well in the regular
season.
"I'm not going to be like one of those guys who only looks at things in
terms of my
team right now. Sure, if the league expanded (to 20) we'd be in better shape.
"But I think that is short-sighted. You can't just keep adding levels to
help teams
financially. Eventually, you've got to deal with the real problem, and the
real problem is
fiscal responsibility. We have to address that issue, and making changes such
as more
teams in the playoffs doesn't make sense to me."
However, Burke readily admits that he doesn't know if he will be on the
same
page as his owner -- and ultimately, that is the level where changes will be
made.
"We talked about it in a very informal manner at the last general
managers'
meetings," said Bryan Murray, the Florida Panthers GM who is likely to sign a
contract
extension early next week.
"It was just a general discussion, not even on the agenda at the GM
meetings,"
said Murray, but he would not be surprised if it came up in a more formal
manner. "I think
there is a feelings on the part of some people that they'd like to see it.
"The feeling I got is let's leave it alone for right now. But there are a
number of
GMs who think we should increase to 20, whether it's right or wrong, I don't
know."
|
“ |
Once
again, I think you've got a case of fiscal policy on
one side, and competitive aspects on the other.
The subject was broached earlier this season, and
I think Glen Sather (Edmonton GM) was the main
reason. I think Glen carries enough weight that it
will be taken seriously. ” |
|
|
— Islanders GM Mike Milbury |
Murray did make a point that the ability of a team to make the playoffs
is the
deciding factor in many jobs. "Even though the number of teams has increased,
and the
number of teams that don't make it every year is many more, the viewpoint is
still is that if
you get knocked out in the first round, you're terrible. And if you don't make
the playoffs,
you are doubly terrible."
It amounts to a time warp in which there is still a perception that
"everybody" gets
in the playoffs, and if you don't get in the team is woeful. The fact of the
matter is that in
the golden age of the six team league, 66 percent of the teams made the
playoffs (four of
six), and after the absorption of the WHA in 1979 it was 16 of 21 teams.
That 16 has remained the same, despite adding a dozen more teams by next
season.
How would it work with 20 teams? According to one scenario, the top six
teams in
each conference get a bye, and the final four play a best-of-five in a
preliminary round.
After that, it would be back to 16 and a tourney just as it is right now.
"If we did say we want to go forward and add, we'd probably get ripped
right now,
so I would think for the next year or two, we would leave it as it is," Murray said. "But
there will be a
battle, because there are a number of teams that feel otherwise."
Another GM from a team which might benefit from an increase in playoff
teams is
Mike Milbury of the New York Islanders. Even at 20, it would be a stretch for
the Isles,
but they are a young, improving team -- and a team which is likely to
increase it's budget
by 100 per cent under new ownership, a boost which would at least bring them
near the
middle of pack.
Still, Milbury does not think adding more playoff teams is the right
answer.
"Once again, I think you've got a case of fiscal policy on one side, and
competitive
aspects on the other," said Milbury. "The subject was broached earlier this
season, and I
think Glen Sather (Edmonton GM) was the main reason. I think Glen carries
enough
weight that it will be taken seriously.
"I can see the reasons why some teams would be for it, but the financial
benefit
would not be enough to convince me."
It might not even turn into a battle of teams. In the new NHL, the
governors
appear more than willing to take their lead from Gary Bettman at the league
headquarters.
As one Western Conference GM stated; "Why are you asking me? The general
manager's
power has evaporated. Those decisions are way above our heads."
Stay tuned this summer for what could be a boost in the playoff pool. Or
at least
the groundwork to get it done in the future.
Al Morganti covers the NHL for ESPN. |  |
