According to recent reports, the National Hockey League and the NHL Players` Association are engaged in discussions regarding a significant potential change to the league structure: an increase in the regular season schedule from the current 82 games to 84. This proposed adjustment is reportedly a component of the ongoing negotiations for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is scheduled to supersede the current agreement following its expiration on September 15, 2026.
The concept of an 84-game NHL regular season is not unprecedented. The league briefly operated under this format between 1992 and 1994. During that time, the schedule typically included two neutral-site contests for each team. While the precise structure for incorporating two additional games into the modern schedule is still under deliberation, reports suggest that one motivation behind this consideration could be to address concerns about the balance of the current schedule, particularly regarding the frequency of games played against divisional opponents compared to teams in other divisions.
Understandably, the prospect of extending the playing calendar raises important questions concerning player welfare. The NHLPA has reportedly expressed reservations regarding the potential for increased physical strain and fatigue – the perennial `wear and tear` challenge inherent in a demanding professional hockey schedule. More games inevitably mean more hits, more travel, and less recovery time, factors closely monitored by the players` union.
In an effort to potentially mitigate these player health concerns, the league is reportedly considering a compensatory reduction in the length of the preseason schedule should the 84-game regular season proposal be adopted. This indicates a potential negotiation point aimed at finding a balance between extending the competitive season and managing the overall impact on the players` physical load throughout the year.
These schedule discussions are occurring within the broader context of the ongoing CBA negotiations. Both NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh have publicly characterized the talks as progressing productively, although they have also noted that there is no immediate timeline for reaching a final agreement. Beyond the schedule, other significant issues reportedly under consideration include potential modifications to the maximum duration of player contracts, the future treatment of deferred salary payments, the formal establishment of a system for emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs), and potential revisions to aspects of revenue sharing and player draft eligibility rules.
With more than a year remaining before the current CBA concludes, the specific details of any move to an 84-game season, as well as the outcomes of other negotiation points, remain subject to further discussion and potential modification. Nevertheless, the active consideration of extending the regular season represents a notable item on the agenda, reflecting the ongoing dialogue between the league`s strategic objectives and the paramount considerations of player health and sustainability.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely