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Report: Proposed playoff system has four wildcard teams

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 11: Captain Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings holds up the Stanley Cup after the Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to win the Stanley Cup series 4-2 after Game Six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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In an attempt to address the issue of fairness, the NHL has proposed a new playoff system for next season’s realigned league.

Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie:

---- The top three teams in the two eight-team “Eastern” conferences would make the playoffs, with two wildcard teams from the remaining 10 teams qualifying as well.

---- The top three teams in the two seven-team “Western” conferences would make the playoffs, with two wildcard teams from the remaining eight teams qualifying as well.


For playoffs, East or West, wild card team with fewest points gets seeded 4th vs division winner with highest points.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 26, 2013


Neither the NHLPA or the Board of Governors has signed off on the proposal, and whether the proposed system adequately addresses the fairness issue is debatable. After all, there will still be fewer teams for those in the seven-team conferences to beat out for a postseason spot.

Proposed realignment:

“Eastern Side”

Conference 1

Carolina

Columbus

New Jersey

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Washington

Conference 2

Boston

Buffalo

Detroit

Florida

Montreal

Ottawa

Tampa Bay

Toronto

“Western Side”

Conference 3

Chicago

Colorado

Dallas

Minnesota

Nashville

St. Louis

Winnipeg

Conference 4

Anaheim

Calgary

Edmonton

Los Angeles

Phoenix

San Jose

Vancouver