Gary Bettman Talks Playoff Format, 2026 All-Star Game, and USA-Russia Hockey Proposal
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman took center stage at the league's general managers' meetings, addressing several pressing topics as the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw near. One of the biggest takeaways? The NHL has no plans to alter its current playoff format. Since the 2013-14 season, the league has used a divisional bracket system for the first two rounds, and despite ongoing debates from fans and analysts, Bettman made it clear that a return to the 1-8 seeding format is not on the table.
On another front, the 2026 NHL All-Star Game is shaping up to be an event worth watching. Following the massive success of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the league is reevaluating how it wants to structure the All-Star Weekend. Bettman emphasized that the league has "raised the bar" and wants to ensure any new format meets those high standards. While the event is set to take place at the home of the New York Islanders, final details on the format are still being discussed. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated that an official decision should come before the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs next month.
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Perhaps the most unexpected development came from international hockey discussions. News surfaced that former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of a USA-Russia best-on-best hockey series, featuring players from the NHL and the KHL. Bettman, however, seemed taken aback by the news, stating that he had only learned about it when the public did. He declined to speculate on the idea, simply stating, "It is what it is."
Meanwhile, Bettman confirmed that the 2025-26 NHL season will begin on October 7, marking the final season under the current collective bargaining agreement. Talks on a new agreement with the NHL Players' Association will begin in early April, with Bettman expressing hope that negotiations will proceed "quickly, quietly, and painlessly."
Additionally, discussions are ongoing between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation to finalize the agreement that will send NHL players to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. After missing the last two Olympics, NHL players are expected to make their return to the Games, and the league is working to ensure everything is in place.
Beyond the Olympics, the league is also seeing growing interest in hosting games for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. While details remain uncertain, the NHL is considering hosting games in both North America and Europe, with a playoff-style format being the likely direction.
With so many developments unfolding, it's clear that the NHL is navigating a period of significant change, both on the ice and behind the scenes. Fans can expect more updates in the coming months as the league shapes the future of international competition, its marquee events, and the collective bargaining landscape.
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