Hockey enthusiasts can look forward to a longer regular season, as the schedule is slated to increase by two games.
According to sources who confirmed the information with Sportsnet, the regular season will be extended to 84 contests as part of the new collective bargaining agreement recently negotiated between the National Hockey League and the players` association.
Consequently, the pre-season schedule will be reduced, shrinking from the previous six to eight games down to just four.
Sportsnet`s Elliotte Friedman reported on Wednesday that the NHL and the NHLPA were nearing the completion of an agreement.
An Associated Press source indicated that these changes could potentially be implemented as early as the 2026-27 season.
Earlier this year, the league and the union jointly announced their salary cap projections for the next three seasons, which foresee a substantial rise in the upper limit of the cap.
Friedman also mentioned that other aspects under consideration in the negotiations include revenue sharing, the discontinuation of deferred-salary arrangements, a reduction in the maximum term allowed for player contracts, and the formal establishment of a permanent role for an emergency backup goaltender.
Reports from Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic suggest that an official announcement regarding the new agreement could be made as soon as Friday.