Major Changes Likely Coming to the NHL in 2026-27 Per New Reports
FOLLOW US
Photo credit: Daily Faceoff
According to detailed newly released reports, potential major changes are coming to the National Hockey League as soon as next year.
Hockey fans who are accustomed to an 82-game season schedule along with an All-Star Game may soon be experiencing some changes.
Per a report from NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, the NHL is toying with the idea of extending the season from 82 games to 84 games, which would affect the starting dates of the year.
Tentatively, we are looking at an Oct. 7 regular season start and the Stanley Cup Final, if it goes the distance, ending around June 21-22 or so.
Because of the Olympic break, which will be longer than the 4 Nations break was, teams have already been warned to expect even more back-to-backs and sets of three games in four nights. It will be congested, and there's not much anyone can do about that, especially with an All-Star Game on top of the Olympics.
Because of the Olympic break, which will be longer than the 4 Nations break was, teams have already been warned to expect even more back-to-backs and sets of three games in four nights. It will be congested, and there's not much anyone can do about that, especially with an All-Star Game on top of the Olympics.
Additionally, LeBrun reports that the NHL is considering removing the All-Star Game, especially in the wake of the tremendous success of the 4 Nations Faceoff last month:
It would be the first time the NHL has held an All-Star game in a participating Olympic year since 2002, in Los Angeles ahead of the Salt Lake City Games. The NHL didn't have an All-Star Game ahead of the 2006, 2010 or 2014 Olympics, which NHL players participated in. And, well, that made sense.
The league thought All-Star '26 would be a nice send-off, if you will, for the game's top players before they played in the Milan Olympics.
However, after the tremendous success of last month's 4 Nations Face-Off, there have been talks behind the scenes about changing course. Some are concerned about holding an All-Star Game which would obviously look like a dog's breakfast compared to the best-on-best 4 Nations and Olympics. Should the league just scrap the All-Star festivities in Olympic years? (Answer from most every hockey fan alive: Yes!)
The league thought All-Star '26 would be a nice send-off, if you will, for the game's top players before they played in the Milan Olympics.
However, after the tremendous success of last month's 4 Nations Face-Off, there have been talks behind the scenes about changing course. Some are concerned about holding an All-Star Game which would obviously look like a dog's breakfast compared to the best-on-best 4 Nations and Olympics. Should the league just scrap the All-Star festivities in Olympic years? (Answer from most every hockey fan alive: Yes!)
Hockey fans, should the NHL scrap the All-Star game and extend the year to 82 games?
| POLL | ||
MARS 13 | 537 ANSWERS Major Changes Likely Coming to the NHL in 2026-27 Per New Reports Do you approve of these potential changes to the NHL coming next year? | ||
| Yes | 296 | 55.1 % |
| No | 241 | 44.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
