[News] Preliminary discussion on changes to NHL calendar

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1807782177758970216

the nhl and nhlpa have had very preliminary discussions on what a new nhl calendar could look like. Wouldn't take effect until next cba 2 years from now.
What's being discussed:
_ move start of reg season up to very early oct;
_ award cup earlier in june;
_ cut pre-season to 4 games per team;
_ 84-game regular season;
basically moving things up 2 weeks or so.
It's not awarding the cup by may 31 but it sure beats what it looks like now!

[BigThief]

Thank the lord above. Doesn't go as far as I'd like. NHL regular season should start September but it's a start.

[CalgaryFan1988]

The 2024 Oilers rule, after their ridiculous schedule.

[devo22]

cool. Can we then keep the current draft format, pretty please?

[Ashasx]

I like everything except an 84 game season. Instead off adding 2 games, cut 2 games. Maybe even half a dozen.

[SuperMatt18]

Oct1 should be the goal to start the season every year.

[You Need a Thneed]

84 games makes sense, in that you can have a balanced schedule.

4 games each within your division = 28 games
3 games each other division in your conference.= 24 games
2 games each team in other conference = 32 games

28+24+32 = 84

[lazypucker]

Should rework the point system to 3-2-1 as well while we are at it.

[bluejays]

I really like this proposal. Preseason is just too long. Work the kinks out in regular season, no problem.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I like everything except an 84 game season. Instead off adding 2 games, cut 2 games. Maybe even half a dozen.

They're not going to cut three games of home gate revenue. Totally fine cutting the preseason to four and adding two games at the end.

And like was said above the NHL needs to keep the draft format, make the Vegas Sphere the permanent home if they want. Make it invite only however so you don't have way too many kids and families in the seats by round seven.

[the-rasta-masta]

Only thing I don't like is shorter pre-season. I get that it can drag on but it's nice getting to watch the young kids get some games in. With only 4 games you'd probably see some veteran heavy lineups and less chances for a young guy to come out of nowhere and have a good camp to make the team.

[The Hendog]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Should rework the point system to 3-2-1 as well while we are at it.

I agree 100% but it will never happen unfortunately

Current point system creates “parity” in the league and NHL head office loves that

[keenan87]

Why not just start the season in mid September.

[Robbob]

From a sth perspective, 42 home games and 2 preseason games. 44 vs 45 currently. I like it.

[Jiggy_12]

A longer regular season seems unnecessary but at least it’ll be offset by the shortened pre season.

Would have preferred to see a more drastic shortening of it all but this is a step in the right direction

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

84 games makes sense, in that you can have a balanced schedule.

4 games each within your division = 28 games
3 games each other division in your conference.= 24 games
2 games each team in other conference = 32 games

28+24+32 = 84

Until the NHL once again expands in the next few years by 3 teams

[Julio]

I like it...preseason is too long. Maybe add an extra couple 'rookie' games in the preseason, or have AHL preseason games for evaluation purposes.

[getbak]

The Finals were ridiculously long this year. It shouldn't take 17 days to play a 7 game series.

I remember back in the 80s and 90s, except in rare cases, the Conferences played their games on alternating nights during the first three rounds, then the Finals were played every other night and the whole thing was wrapped up in 8 weeks -- 2 weeks per round.

[JBR]

Originally Posted by getbak

The Finals were ridiculously long this year. It shouldn't take 17 days to play a 7 game series.

I remember back in the 80s and 90s, except in rare cases, the Conferences played their games on alternating nights during the first three rounds, then the Finals were played every other night and the whole thing was wrapped up in 8 weeks -- 2 weeks per round.

In the 80s teams would play games 1 and 2 back to back, then take a day off and play games 3 and 4 back to back before taking a day off between games 5, 6, and 7. This was the first round then it would be every other day of rounds 2-4.


First round in 1989. 7 games in 11 days. That’s a grind.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by JBR

In the 80s teams would play games 1 and 2 back to back, then take a day off and play games 3 and 4 back to back before taking a day off between games 5, 6, and 7. This was the first round then it would be every other day of rounds 2-4.


First round in 1989. 7 games in 11 days. That’s a grind.

Can you tell me how many hours between games? That's the apparent metric for some here.