It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. There was only one game left in the NHL preseason as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators were supposed to play a rescheduled game on Monday night. This was before the weather changed plans. However, the talk about the preseason slate may not be over when the regular season starts. We’ve already had a pair of games played between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres in Czechia. However, the fun begins in North America on Tuesday.
Despite this, we may hear chatter about the preseason. This edition of NHL rumours talks about possible changes coming to the NHL exhibition slate.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Preseason Slate Could Undergo Some Changes
Rumour: Insider Pierre LeBrun said to Jay Onrait that the league may revisit the amount of preseason games played during his latest appearance on SportsCenter.
Analysis: Its been a rough preseason for a number of players in the NHL. The injuries have piled up and some key players have gotten banged up. Last week was the Board of Governors meeting in New York City and the topic of changing the preseason format was broached.
LeBrun mentions that changes wouldn’t be looked into until the next collective bargaining agreement comes up. The current one does expire in September 2026, but it could be revisited as a previous edition of NHL rumours mentioned.
However, a number of key players like Patrik Laine, Drew Doughty and others got injured and a few of these players will be out long-term. LeBrun mentions that teams have a maximum of eight preseason games they can play.
Adding Onto the Regular Season
There seems to be agreement on both sides on cutting down the number of exhibition games. Cutting down the number of meaningless games would help, but that wouldn’t be the only driver.
Onrait mentions that the league could move to an 84-game schedule in the next CBA. It was mentioned that the idea has been mostly praised. Adding a pair of extra regular-season games would give hockey-related revenue a boost.
That uptick in revenue could mean more money going into the salary cap. The players would be receptive to the increase in games and the owners would love the addition of more money.
Both Sides Win
It’s nice to see the league and the players association on the same page on a number of issues as of late. Putting two more regular-season games on the slate is another thing that both sides agree on.
It looks like the days of labour strife are a thing of the past. One never knows how things are going to go once talks start. However, it seems that money talks at this point in time.
Injuries will always be a part of life in hockey. However, it really stings when a player is lost for a large portion of the season due to an injury in an exhibition game. One hopes the changes can be made when the next CBA is ironed out.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
