I personally like the 1-8 a lot more but I want to see other people's opinions.

1-8 was better imo

Agree

1-8

If you're gonna have an unbalanced schedule, like there is now, you can't really do 1-8 fairly. The 1-8 format is really only fair if every team plays the same number of games against each team. But then you'll lose the extra game or two between division rivals. I say, keep the current format. I like rivalry games.

The current format gives the league more guaranteed rivalry matchups in April/May than the old format did, which is better for ratings and viewership. Although I preferred the conference based seeded I understand why the NHL prefers this format.

I wish that the league would go back to the 1-16 format for playoffs. I'm bored of the same old matchups and punishing the top teams in the league (read: Atlantic).

The league could keep the division format for its marketability during the regular season and still revert to a one through sixteen for the playoffs. The players don't care about divisions. An extra day or two of rest during the early rounds for travel can be easily accommodated.

Honestly with the league needing money and with fans allowed to come back to the stadiums at max capacity (depending where you are)

Why not try the playin tournament again.

More Fans In The Stands = More Ticket Sales

More Ticket Sales = More Money

and

More Money = Salary Cap Increase

Salary Cap Increase = Everyone's happy

I kinda like it, but I don't know if I want to hear all the annoying fans talking about how it doesn't count.

Who cares what they say what matters is the league makes more money and thus no more stuck cap at 81.5mill. If anything with all the extra profits cap could go up by 1.5-2mill instead of 1 as projected by Serevalli