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Tom Banks
September 13, 2025Â Â (4:04 PM)
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Gary Bettman and the NHL refuse to change the NHL’s playoff seedings, and now a journalist has taken a swipe at the league for not caring what the majority want.
In recent years, the NHL have made and stuck with a change to their Stanley Cup Playoffs seedings, and for the most part, it’s been ridiculous, with the majority of fans around the league hating the change.
It’s not just the fans however, as Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar recently called out the league in wanting to go back to the 1-8 format, one that was the norm for years before Gary Bettman made the surprising and idiotic change.
Top NHL Journalist Calls Out Gary Bettman for Refusing to Change
It’s not just Makar however, as The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has taken to social media to reveal that most players want a change along with the fans, but because of their selfishness and lack of care for the players and fans, the league simply won’t budge on making a change.
The players want it, the fans want it, and the league and its owners don’t care.
Originally, Bettman justified the change as a way to build rivalries in the league, but given that most fans have seen the exact same matchups for the past several years, it’s simply not working.
For four years straight, the Oilers and Kings have matched up in the first-round, and every year, interest in the matchup continues to fall, and it’s unfortunate for fans, as that isn’t the way the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs should feel.
Ultimately, Bettman and the NHL continue to do what’s best for them without caring about the fans or the players in the league, and until something drastic changes, we’ll continue to have this ridiculous playoff format.
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‘The League Doesn’t Care’: Journalist Goes After Bettman & the NHL for Not Changing Controversial Rule
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