NHL makes a huge change to the 24 team playoff format

This just in courtesy of Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, the NHL has made a decision regarding its playoff format beyond the first "play in" round when it comes to bracketing versus seeding.

The league will reportedly re-seed each position following each round, rather than have teams play through a bracketed format. Additionally, each round after the initial "play in" round will be a best of 7 series.

Check it out:

The NHL Playoffs will not be bracketed, but re-seeded after every round. Qualifying will be best-of-five. All other rounds will be best-of-seven.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 4, 2020

More from Friedman's Sportsnet colleague Chris Johnston:

Going with four best-of-sevens (instead two best-of fives then two best-of-sevens) could add as many as nine days to the playoffs. https://t.co/OAs25FUOED
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 4, 2020

More confirmation from Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun of TSN:

As we’ve speculated this week. 24 NHL team format will include best of 5 Qualifying rounds. All four rounds of the playoffs best of 7’s, reseeding after each round. Highest seed vs lowest seed in each conference.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 4, 2020

NHL/NHLPA have put finishing touches on format agreement announced last week. Among the open issues resolved:
_ both sides have agreed that it will be best-of-7 in all four playoff rounds (best of 5 in play-in round)
- Teams will be re-seeded after each round (not bracketed)
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 4, 2020

More to come