According to someone with knowledge of the negotiations, one of the subjects that has been covered in collective bargaining talks between the NHL and the NHL Players Association is switching from an 82-game regular season to an 84-game one.
Since neither party is making the topics of the CBA talks publicly available, the individual spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Wednesday.
The preseason would be cut to four games per team under the proposed adjustment, which could take place as early as 2026–2027. It is one of the many changes being discussed by the league and union; it is thought that the list also includes rules pertaining to long-term injuries and contract terms.
Attending 84 games might help balance the league’s schedule, which now has 32 clubs playing each division opponent four times—three against the league’s other division and two against the other conference. On the other hand, it might result in more rivalry games.
The Board of Governors was given a comprehensive update on the status of discussions, Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters in Los Angeles. According to Bettman, the board would have to ratify any agreement.
At the Stanley Cup Final, Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh expressed optimism about the outcome. According to Bettman, they were having excellent conversations and were in excellent form. Walsh stated: We’ll see what happens, but it’s moving forward and I’m happy with where we are.
There isn’t a strict timeline to deal with and no significant concerns to address where the parties are at odds because the existing CBA doesn’t expire until September 2026.
The league and union agreed to add two neutral-site games for each team for the 1992–94 NHL regular season, which consisted of 84 games.
___
https://apnews.com/hub/nhl is the AP NHL.
