With NHL training camps approaching, the NHL has a lot on its plate, from international events to a new CBA that kicks in next season.
Speaking to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas at the NHL/NHL Players’ Association European Player Media Tour on Friday in Italy, deputy commissioner Bill Daly touched on what the league has been working on in the final month of the off-season.
With the schedule going to 84 from 82 games next season, Daly said the regular season will start in September rather than October.
Daly spoke about the impact the new 84-game schedule will have on training camps and seeing the regular season start in September rather than October.
“It should allow us to start the season earlier so we’re not extending the overall schedule,” Daly told Friedman and Bukauskas. “The 2026–27 season may be shorter. We’ll see how that plays out.”
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With the move to an 84-game schedule, the NHL will reduce the number of pre-season games to compensate for the additional two regular-season games.
Status quo for players involved in Hockey Canada trial
When it comes to the futures of Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote, Daly did not have much of an update.
“Really nothing new to report from what we released after verdict,” Daly said. “Their situation is still under our review.”
After the five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team were acquitted in the high-profile London, Ont., sexual assault trial back in July, the league deemed them ineligible while it reviewed the findings.
The NHL stated in July the allegations in the case were “very disturbing,” even if not deemed criminal. The league also called the behaviour of the players “unacceptable.”
The NHLPA has said ruling the players ineligible while the NHL further evaluates the case does not align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.
“Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod were acquitted of all charges by Justice Carroccia of the Ontario Superior Court,” the NHLPA’s statement read. “After missing more than a full season of their respective NHL careers, they should now have the opportunity to return to work. The NHL’s declaration that the Players are ‘ineligible’ to play pending its further analysis of the Court’s findings is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.
“We are addressing this dispute with the League and will have no further comment at this time.”
World Cup of Hockey format taking shape
With the NHL returning to the Olympics in 2026, Daly says that the league has been working on its plans for more international tournaments, including the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028.
The plan is for eight teams to participate in a mid-season event in February, with games being split between two cities in North America and one in Europe. The semifinals and final will be played in North America.
“We’ve had more than 20 North American markets express interest, and strong interest in Europe as well,” Daly said. “We hope to announce the host cities by the end of this season.”
League still planning an All-Star Game
The league announced that this season’s All-Star Weekend, scheduled at UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders, will be an international event that serves as a jumping-off point for the Winter Olympics.
Daly did stress that the league is committed to having an All-Star Game at some point.
“I think the revamped skills competition in Toronto (last year) was far better than what we had for a long time,” Daly said. “Our three-on-three format is generally really good. Can you tweak it? Sure. And we’ll continue to do that.”
from Sportsnet.ca
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