What an expanded 24 team Stanley Cup Playoff bracket would look like

According to a report from ESPN hockey insider Greg Wyshynski, the NHL has turned its focus away from the 2019-20 regular season and instead is hoping to jump right into an expanded Stanley Cup Playoffs once play resumes. When that happens and the logistics of it all though are still unclear.

From Wyshynski’s latest article for ESPN:

We can confirm that the league is currently focused on jumping directly to the Stanley Cup playoffs rather than attempting to complete the regular season ahead of the playoffs.

… as of last week, the focus has been on skipping right to the playoffs. This doesn’t make it a certainty — focus can shift quickly during these unpredictable times — but this is the current thinking.

Very interesting. Wyshynski also reported on the “expanded field” concept which would see 24 teams compete for the Stanley Cup, rather than the usual 16 teams. 

Again from Wyshynski's ESPN article:

The New York Post reported that the NHL’s “reopening plan” has shifted to “staging a 24-team tournament that would include a best-of-three, play-in round.” That’s one of the formats under consideration, but the playoff format could end up with fewer teams.

An NHL source said the number of teams in the postseason, and the format, would be entirely dictated by the schedule for the restart, vis-à-vis next season. “And they have no idea on the timing,” the source said.

Expanding the field by four teams per conference would enable bubble teams like the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks earn at least earn the chance to play into a playoff spot alongside the teams currently in a playoff spot.

With this format, it's possible the 24 team playoff bracket could shake down like this:

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Interesting. The top two teams in each division get a first round bye while the others play a best of five series to move onto the second round. 

A closer look at some interesting first round matchups:

Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets
While it's not the Battle of Alberta matchup the hockey world wants, this matchup has the potential to be just as good. 

Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks
Connor McDavid vs Patrick Kane? Yes, please.

Vancouver Canucks vs Arizona Coyotes
Two young teams who are HUNGRY for some playoff action? Yes, please.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens
Sid the Kid vs his childhood team? Just imagine the media in Canada when Crosby plays his first playoff game in Montreal in over a decade.

New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
The two biggest markets in the NHL? Hell, yes. You just know that Bettman himself is drooling over this possibility.

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While a lot can change between now and whenever the puck drops, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has guaranteed one thing: 2020 will not go without a Stanley Cup champion.

In conversation with San Jose Sharks fans during an online “town hall meeting”, Bettman was asked about the possible cancellation of the playoffs and claimed it’s “not something I’m even contemplating.”

“I believe that if the right time comes, and the right circumstances, based on all of the options that we’re considering and our ability to execute them, we’ll get this season done,” Bettman said. “I don’t want to sound Pollyanna, but canceling is too easy a solution. That means you stop working hard to do all of the things that we’re doing, and I ultimately believe that there will be an opportunity.”

“We would like to bring a conclusion to this season,” Bettman said. “It’s got to be fair, it’s got to have integrity, and if we have to do it over the summer on some modified basis, then we’ll do it on that basis.”

I won’t lie… the idea of a March Madness style 24 team Stanley Cup playoff bracket in the middle of summer is intriguing as Hell. Gimmicky? Sure. But entertaining? Hell yes. Let’s drop the puck, Gary.