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Originally Posted by Resolute 14
Speaking of interesting... Does this imply the AHL Pacific would operate on a completely separate schedule, or that the entire AHL will reduce its schedule?
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It has been rumored that the entire AHL will be reducing the number of games played, but a few of the more profitable teams were pushing back, so it is possible the game reduction is only for the new division.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...rink/21650405/
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But besides seeing at least four NHL teams pulling up stakes from the east and relocating development operations closer to home, the AHL schedule could end up dramatically shorter.
Like 10 games shorter, to 66 total. That's by no means official, but it has been bandied about. So, too, has 72 games.
AHL president Dave Andrews said in October that many NHL teams were pushing for a reduction in games played, and that some AHL owners also had suggested it. Few teams can sell mid-week games before Christmas.
The league currently uses a 28-week template for the 76-game schedule. Slicing the season to 72 games would quite likely be an easier compromise for independent AHL owners to accept, though the Hershey Bears, Chicago Wolves and Grand Rapids Griffins very likely won't be in favor of any cutback.
The NHL, however, continues to push development, and some teams believe a reduction to 66 would provide optimum time for practice as well as recovery.
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