Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly addressed a range of topics in an interview with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, including ongoing expansion talks, updates on a potential collective bargaining agreement extension, and his thoughts on the current playoff format.
LeBrun’s first question focused on the CBA, which the league and NHLPA began discussing in April. While the current CBA doesn’t expire until September 2026, Daly was asked if progress was being made on a possible extension. Daly acknowledged that discussions are ongoing and progressing well, with both sides actively exchanging proposals and continuing the dialogue.
“I don’t have any timetable for you, but I would like to think that we’ll have a successful conclusion at some point in the not-too-distant future,” said Daly.
Daly added that as part of the CBA talks, both sides are discussing solutions to the current LTIR regulations and the lack of a salary cap during the playoffs. As Daly said, “Nothing’s done until it’s done, but I would tell you that I think we’ve made progress toward getting to a good resolution on that issue.”
With rumors swirling about potential expansion teams in Atlanta (for a third time) or Houston, LeBrun asked Daly whether it would be fair to say the league is actively engaged in the expansion process. While Daly said the answer depends on how one defines “expansion process,” he emphasized that the league is always open to the idea if the right opportunity presents itself.
As Daly noted, “I think what Gary (Bettman) is clear about is, there is no current intention to open up a formal expansion process and invite bids. It’s much more of a one-on-one conversation and relationship we have with various potential owners.”
Daly added that he doesn’t believe additional expansion teams would ’water down’ the league, noting that the global pool of elite talent is strong enough to support more NHL clubs. Daly said he shared in those concerns when four expansion teams were added in the late 1990s but added that the hockey world has changed dramatically over the last 25 years, with more elite players are coming from the United States and overseas than ever before.
Daly also touched on the current playoff format, which as LeBrun notes, allows for key matchups like Colorado against Dallas in the first round. Daly acknowledged that, like any topic, the NHL is open to discussing playoff format alternatives with the NHLPA as part of the CBA process but noted that no such discussions have taken place yet.
We don’t need expansion right now. The playoffs this year are proof that the league is not as deep as we think. How many series have gone to 7 games so far? The eastern conference final should not be looking like a mismatch. It’s embarrassing for the league. Carolina is going to get swept. That should not be happening this late in the game.
Carolina is still a great team .. they just hit a wall.
Carolina is a good regular season team, Florida is a juggernaut!
it was better when they did the 8 seed format, we get too many of what should be WCF/ECF finals matchups in the first round while some mediocre teams get an easier trip to the conference finals Colorado and Dallas shouldnt of been a 1st round matchup, we also see stanley cup favorites in Round 1 that wouldve originally been lined up for Round 2 or the Conference Finals
Bingo. Literally the only reason we get the same conference finals every year is this awful format
Great point. The NHL should never have expanded beyond the Original Six because some playoff teams got swept and not every series went seven games in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s.
Couldn’t agree more.
Wasn’t this covered using the exact same article earlier this week?
To many teams now!
Show me the 3rd lines (2nd lines for some teams) of most teams in this league and tell me the talent level hasn’t already been dilluted.
Only Atlanta and Arizona need to apply if Gary has a say.
Atlanta does not deserve another shot! My God, no!
The problem in a lopsided playoff series isn’t because of a talent dropoff, it’s because there’s no cap in the playoffs, fka the Mark Stone rule
Keep the cap in the playoffs, and a team like Ottawa is going to run through teams.
Ah, the reason that the Sens are out is because of the salary cap. Thanks for that revelation. Wilf, is that you hiding behind Gunnar?
I’m using the Sens as an example. I’m not even a Sens fan in the slightest. You’re missing my point entirely and just trolling. I’m saying that the cap should be enforced in the playoffs, end of story. There’s six million reasons why and not a single reason why it is the way it is, that makes any logical sense.
Actually you just yapped that the Senators would run through teams if not for the salary cap. It’s in your post. That was your point. But, if I am wrong, please share the 6,000,000 reasons. Guessing that you run out of steam prior to 20.