NHL, NHLPA considering making big changes to schedule starting in 2026

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
July 2, 2024 (12:38)

SHARE THIS STORY

The NHL and NHLPA are considering making some big changes to the schedule starting in 2026 when a new collective bargaining agreement is needed.

There's been a lot of talk in recent years, especially in 2024, that the NHL season goes on for too long and should be ending much earlier, not as late as June 24th, as was the case this year.

In the midst of the craziness that was the opening day of free agency, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that some big changes could be on the horizon when it comes to the NHL's schedule as early as 2026.

LeBrun is reporting that the National Hockey League and the Players Association are in preliminary discussions about changes to the schedule including a slight increase in the amount of regular season games each team plays, along with reducing the pre-season games.

While these are just preliminary talks, if given the green light down the line, the NHL regular season will increase to 84 games per team, was the case during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons. Pre-season games will be reduced down to four per team, which is anywhere from a 33-50% drop.

These moves would have the NHL begin the regular season very early in October, while the Stanley Cup would be handed out in early June. LeBrun says that if given approval, it would reduce the NHL's calendar by roughly two weeks.

"Some non free-agent news:
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!
Again, these are preliminary discussions. Let's see where it goes."

All of these calendar and schedule changes are a positive move for the National Hockey League, however, increasing the amount of regular season games may not sit well with some, especially those who have been wanting the NHL to decrease down to 80 games. Reducing the amount of pre-season games is a must for the NHL and it'll be interesting to see if that'll actually come to fruition.

We'll have to wait and see what the next CBA brings in a couple of years, but we could be looking at an 84-game regular season as early at 2026-27.