Expansion Dreams, Breakout Teams and the Playoff Format Problem

The NHL's offseason conversation is heating up with whispers about potential expansion markets, teams that made surprising jumps last season, and growing frustration over a playoff structure that might be due for an overhaul. Front offices are quietly debating whether the current format truly rewards the best teams or just creates predictable matchups, while expansion-hungry cities are making their pitches to Gary Bettman's office.