NHL, NHLPA to reportedly discuss changing amount of games in next CBA

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Cooper Godin
October 2, 2024 (8:21)

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NHL and the NHLPA will reportedly discuss reducing amount of preseason games when they begin CBA negotiations in early 2025.

It's safe to say that this year's preseason has been one of the worst in terms of injuries, especially to well-known players around the National Hockey League and it's getting quite frustrating, no matter who your favourite team is. Now, injuries can happen at any point of the year, or even during summer training, but the amount we've seen in the preseason so far has been ridiculous to say the least.

Among the players that have been injured so far in the preseason are Drew Doughty (fractured ankle - Month-to-month), Ryan Lindgren (upper-body injury - Week-to-week), Patrik Laine (sprained knee - 2-to-3 months), David Reinbacher (surgery on left knee - 5-to-6 months) and now tonight, Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk & Thomas Chabot, along with Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers. The status of the last four mentioned is unclear at this time.

With the amount of injuries we've seen so far, it's only furthering calls from fans and some of those in the media, to reduce the amount of preseason games. Some teams are playing upwards of eight preseason contests, which is entirely too many.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the National Hockey League and the Players Association have talked about cutting down the amount of preseason games and will do so more seriously once CBA negotiations begin after January 1st.

Not only will they discuss cutting the preseason down to four games for each team, LeBrun mentions that they may also add two games to the regular season, bringing the total to 84. The NHL has had 84-game campaigns twice in their history before - 1992-93 and 1993-94, with those two extra games being used for neutral site contests.

"The NHL and NHLPA have already chatted about it and will do so more seriously in CBA talks: reduce pre-season to 4 games (and add 2 games to regular season to make it 84).
That's the idea anyway. We'll see where it goes in CBA talks." LeBrun said.

It's going to be interesting to see which direction the NHL and NHLPA go with this in CBA talks and if all sides are in agreement on reducing the amount of games. If this does happen, it likely won't be in place until after the 2025-26 season as that's when the current collective bargaining agreement is set to end.