How a 24-team NHL playoff might look

With each passing day, it looks more and more like the NHL season will be cancelled completely. At least the regular season anyway. The NHL is still very hopeful that some type of playoffs might take place. Earlier today, rumours started swirling regarding a 24 team playoff to begin around June 1st. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet decided to spell out what that might look like should it take place. 

First off, why 24 teams? The idea, which shouldn't be surprising, is to maximize revenue after the cancellation (should it happen) of the rest of the regular season. It would also include all teams with a record of .500 or better and create the type of grueling scenario you'd like to see a team go through before winning the Stanley Cup. 

According to Johnston, these eight teams would get a bye: Boston, Tampa, Washington and Philadelphia in the East, and St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Edmonton in the West. The remaining 16 teams would participate in a best three-of-five play-in to determine who goes on to the next round. The belief among clubs, according to Johnston, is that teams would be seeded based on win percentages as they have not played an even amount of games, with a nod to the divisions rather than conference standings. Here's how he says that would look: 

East

1. Boston (.714)

2. Tampa (.657)

3. Washington (.652)

4. Philadelphia (.645)

5. Pittsburgh (.623)

6. Toronto (.579, 3rd Atlantic)

7. Carolina (.596)

8. N.Y. Islanders (.588)

9. Columbus (.579)

10. Florida (.565)

11. N.Y. Rangers (.564)

12. Montreal (.500)

West

1. St. Louis (.662)

2. Colorado (.657)

3. Vegas (.606)

4. Edmonton (.585, 2nd Pacific)

5. Dallas (.594)

6. Vancouver (.565, 3rd Pacific)

7. Nashville (.565)

8. Calgary (.564)

9. Winnipeg (.563)

10. Minnesota (.558)

11. Arizona (.529)

12. Chicago (.514)

If his assumptions are correct, the play-in series would look like this: 

Pittsburgh vs. Montreal

Toronto vs. N.Y. Rangers

Carolina vs. Florida

N.Y. Islanders vs. Columbus

Dallas vs. Chicago

Vancouver vs. Arizona

Nashville vs. Minnesota

Calgary vs. Winnipeg

The only thing that remains open here is whether this is something players and fans would want. 

Johnston states one other idea being thrown around is a March Madness-style bracket tournament that includes every team. Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that the league is open to suggestions from league executives as well.