The Athletic Hockey Show – March 19, 2026

Episode Theme: Why Does Gary Bettman Love the NHL Playoff Format?

Overview:
On this episode, hosts discuss recent NHL highlights, playoff races, and, most importantly, debate NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's steadfast support of the current playoff structure. Mike Russo joins to provide insight from post-GM meetings, including spirited debates among league executives regarding playoff format, rule enforcement, and player safety. The episode is rich with league insights, front-office perspectives, and a healthy dose of humor and candid takes from the hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter and Recent NHL Highlights (02:27 – 16:52)

• Sidney Crosby Returns (03:00)
  • Crosby returns after an Olympics injury, scores in a wild OT loss to Carolina.
  • Penguins lose another shootout (“It is commendable that the Penguins keep getting these participation points. It's kept them in the hunt, but it'd be nice if they won some of those.” – F, 04:47)
  • Penguins are now 1-10 in shootouts; Letang’s declining performance is discussed (“I fear that the aging curve for him has gotten quite steep.” – B, 06:07)
• Eric Carlson’s Revival (06:56 – 09:16)
  • Major improvement linked to playing with a defensively-minded partner and getting to “just be himself.”
  • Notable insight: “He’s had a partner who allows him to do that… he can really bring the heat offensively, do a lot on his own.” – F, 08:09
• Ottawa Senators’ Playoff Hopes (09:58)
  • Goaltending woes (Logan Thompson starring for Caps).
  • Ottawa still has a 45% chance, thanks to the mediocrity (“pile of mid”) ahead in the standings. Boston may be the team to catch for the wild card. (11:18 – 12:32)
• Dallas vs. Colorado Recap (14:33 – 16:38)
  • Dallas climbs within two points of Colorado; Avalanche dominate play but lose.
  • “I think they're probably the best team in the league… they'll be fine. They're Colorado, they… have unreal depth. It'll be okay.” – F, 15:28

Inside the GM Meetings with Mike Russo (18:44 – 37:26)

The 'Shouting Match' That Wasn’t: Bettman & Headshots (19:41 – 20:28)

• Alan Walsh had reported rumors of a GM-Commissioner “screaming match.” Russo clarifies: it was measured but tense between Canes GM Eric Tulsky and Gary Bettman over lack of enforcement on headshots.
• “I think Tulski was standing up for what he thinks was right… I respect it.” – E (Mike Russo), 20:28

Goalie Interference: Moving Standards? (21:09 – 24:57)

• Pat Verbeek (Anaheim) challenged inconsistency in goalie interference calls.
• Russo criticizes the shifting line and confusion for teams: “Nobody knows what the situation is and I respect what goes on in that situation room… but I don’t know what happened on this one. It does open up a can of worms.” – E, 21:51

Why Does Gary Bettman Love the Playoff Format? (24:57 – 33:14)

• Hosts dig into Bettman’s annual defense of the divisional format (“Probably the best playoff first round in any sport, which I don’t disagree with.” – B, 24:57)
• Russo details the rationale: the format keeps 16 fanbases engaged, boosting ratings and attention in the first round.
• “It’s insane that they have a format where potentially the top three teams… two of them are going to face in the first round and one is going to be out after two. It’s just a fact.” – E, 26:58
• Universally unpopular: “Any fan hates it. GMs I talked to don’t like it. Players and coaches don’t like it. I think league executives don’t like it. Gary likes it. And we know that Gary is the boss.” – E, 27:58
• Hosts argue true rivalries are a result of frequent matchups, not forced by divisional play in a nearly balanced schedule (29:26).
• Dom adds, “It just feels like force feeding rivalries instead of letting them develop organically… rivalries became more intense and you're not going to get the same thing in the first round.” – F, 32:29

Department of Player Safety & Enforcement (33:34 – 36:48)

• Discussion about suspended players and the appeal process.
• “Until the NHLPA wants a change, they’re just going to side with… the process that Gary (Bettman) and George Parros have here.” – E, 35:11
• On clumsy checking and Radko Gudas: “He was trying to go stick on puck. He was offline and he just reacted poorly. It was just a poorly executed check.” – E, 35:57

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Penguins Shootouts:
  “This is proof that no matter how much you practice at something, sometimes you just suck.” – B, 05:02
• On Playoff Format Motivation:
  “It’s important they make the product as good as it possibly can be when you have 16 fan bases that are engaged.” – B, 25:23
• On Rivalries:
  “Good rivalries come from frequency of competition… It’s not because there’s a chance they play in the playoffs every now and then.” – B, 29:26
• On Bettman’s Stubbornness:
  “He just doesn’t want… not Gary me.” – B, 30:58
• On Hockey Star Personality:
  “If you want to see personality from hockey players, just be careful what you wish for. You make that wish, the monkey’s paw starts to curl sometimes…” – B, 45:23

Jack Hughes & The Gold Medal Puck Fiasco (38:36 – 45:47)

• Recap of Jack Hughes’ public frustration about not getting his Olympic gold medal puck (“That’s bull crap the Hall of Fame has it.” – paraphrased B, 39:40)
• Hosts dissect whether the puck should be his or if it truly ‘belongs in a museum.’
• “It’s a sense of entitlement… I think when you score one of the most important goals in American hockey history, that's something that should be shared with everyone in America.” – F, 41:31
• “I don’t feel bad for him at all.” – B, 43:48
• Final advice: Jack should “stop talking for a while” and focus on his game (44:57)

Other Segments

Closing Remarks & Power Rankings (45:47 – 46:50)

• Quick plug for Dom’s latest “16 Stats” column and discussion of the show’s power rankings.

Brief Mentions

• Playoff race implications for the Senators, Bruins, and Red Wings.
• Colorado’s playoff readiness.
• Ongoing issues with NHL player safety enforcement.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Sidney Crosby’s Return/Penguins Woes: 03:00 – 06:56
• Carlson vs. Letang/Aging Defensemen: 06:07 – 09:16
• Sens Playoff Odds & Wild Card Race: 09:58 – 14:33
• Dallas-Colorado Showdown: 14:33 – 16:52
• Russo on GM Meetings/Headshots Debate: 19:41 – 22:50
• Goalie Interference Standards: 22:50 – 24:57
• Bettman & The Playoff Format Debate: 24:57 – 33:14
• Player Safety and Appeal Process: 33:34 – 36:48
• Jack Hughes & The Gold Medal Puck: 38:36 – 45:47

Summary

This episode delivers a comprehensive skate through the NHL’s current issues: from on-ice performances and playoff races to heated debates behind closed doors at the GM meetings. The conversation is honest, sharp, and delivers the candid perspective The Athletic’s hosts are known for, especially as they challenge Commissioner Gary Bettman’s unwavering love for the divisional playoff format, address controversial rule enforcement, and react to hockey’s rare displays of player personality. Listeners not only come away entertained but also more informed about what’s really driving NHL decision-making at the highest levels.