Major announcement and changes coming to the NHL? Big scoop emerges

PUBLICATION

Elias Adaime
July 5, 2024 (0:14)

SHARE THIS STORY

The opening of the free agency market has dominated NHL news this week.

However, Pierre LeBrun has announced other important information regarding the NHL.

According to the renowned insider, the league and the Players' Association (NHLPA) are in discussions on several points regarding the league's calendar. Although these are only preliminary discussions, they could result in changes to the next collective bargaining agreement, which will be renewed in two years.

Soon to be 84 regular season games in the NHL? A major announcement from Gary Bettman to watch

From what we understand, the idea would be to reduce the preseason schedule to a maximum of four games to start the campaign in early October. Since everything is about money, adding two games to the regular season, bringing it to 84, is also in the plans. Ultimately, the season would end two weeks earlier, and the trophy ceremony would take place in early June.

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. -Pierre Lebrun

The NHL calendar has been heavily criticized this season as the Stanley Cup, individual awards ceremony, draft, and the opening of the free agency market all took place in the same week. It's a glaring lack of marketing by the league, which failed to highlight each event individually.

This is not the first time LeBrun has discussed this topic. In a column for The Athletic last April, he proposed his ideas to make the NHL calendar more fan-friendly...

The Athletic - LeBrun: Presenting the ideal NHL calendar, from puck drop to free agency

In short, he starts the season between September 20 and October 1 and concludes it with the raising of the Stanley Cup by May 31 at the latest. The NHL offseason would begin the second weekend of June with the draft and continue with the opening of the free agency market around June 25.

In LeBrun's ideal scenario, there would also be no All-Star weekend, and the Monday in November dedicated to the Hall of Fame induction should be the highlight. There would be no games on this day, which is so important to many.

I would add to these points that on the trade deadline day, there should never be any games. It's so senseless to put players through all these emotions and then ask them to play a game just a few hours later.

Imagine the spectacle the league could put on with a special show.