Reports from OilersNation’s Jason Gregor and TSN’s Bob McKenzie say the NHLPA is expected to pass a 24-team playoff format.
The NHLPA has voted not to receive their final paycheque. Also, while not unanimous (some top teams not loving format), source tells me NHLPA will approve the 24-team playoff. #NHL
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) May 22, 2020
While last night’s NHLPA executive committee conference call got a little heated at times, and various individual players still have a wide variety of views on the NHL’s RTP format, the exec committee vote by team is expected to result in NHLPA approval of the NHL plan.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 22, 2020
With the vote having started Thursday and carrying into Friday, Gregor noted that some teams aren’t loving the format. It’s clear that’s the case given that McKenzie said an NHLPA conference call “got a little heated at times” on Thursday night. 18/31 votes are needed to pass.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun added that once the NHL has the official answer from the NHLPA, the league has its own process to go through. It’s expected that an official announcement would be given in the coming days.
The Edmonton Oilers NHLPA player representative is Darnell Nurse.
Under the format, the top four teams in each conference would play each other with the other 16 clubs going through a best-of-five play-in round. The league is working through the process of selecting hub cities to play games out of in a central manner.
The proposed format would see the Edmonton Oilers matching up against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs. The winner would play the Dallas Stars.
On Twitter: @zjlaing
