Sources familiar with the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) discussions between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players` Association (NHLPA) indicate that potentially increasing the regular season schedule from 82 games to 84 is one of the items being discussed.
The individual who shared this information did so under the condition of anonymity, as both sides involved in the CBA negotiations are currently refraining from public disclosure of the subjects being addressed.
This proposed modification, which could potentially come into effect as early as the 2026-27 season, would likely see the preseason shortened to just four games per team. The 84-game schedule is one of several adjustments reportedly under consideration by the league and the union, with other topics believed to include aspects like player contract lengths and regulations regarding long-term injuries.
Moving to an 84-game format could also help standardize the schedule. With 32 teams in the league, it might allow for a structure where teams play each division opponent four times, teams in the other conference division three times, and teams from the opposing conference twice. Alternatively, such a change could be utilized to facilitate more games between traditional rivals.
The NHL previously had an 84-game regular season schedule between 1992 and 1994. During that period, the league and the union had agreed to incorporate two neutral-site games for each team as part of the expanded schedule.
