Wings pushed for 84 game schedule
According to TSN, the Detroit Red Wings had pushed for an 84 game schedule for the upcoming season. This schedule would cap the preseason games at six while allowing home and away games against every team in the opposite conference. The league’s board of governors meets next month and Gary Bettman will present a schedule for the group to vote on.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks were supporters of the concept, which was delivered to most NHL owners and the commissioner’s office.
According to sources, Bettman persuaded Detroit to stop the campaign to increase the number of games from 82 to 84, as it was for two seasons during the early 1990s.
Politically, the timing isn’t right. Although, it’s believed the Red Wings intend to re-visit the plan in the future.
Sources say Bettman was not pleased with the way the NHL schedule was so hotly and openly contested by league executives last season and intends to keep a lid on public debate this year.
Personally, I like the idea of an 84 game schedule. Yes it’s two more games than what we’re currently seeing, but the number of preseason games will be really shortened (I believe I worked six home preseason games this year). I also love the concept of seeing every Eastern Conference team at the Joe each season especially when it comes to Toronto, New York, Montreal, and Pittsburgh visiting Detroit.
Related Posts
Leave a Reply