How NHL Can Fix Preseason Risks and Balance Regular Season Schedule – Hockey Writers – Commentary

The NHL preseason seems to have become more about survival than preparation. For many players, especially professional athletes, the goal has shifted from honing their skills to making it through the pre-season without injury. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, and other teams, injuries have become a growing problem, and with so much at stake for teams and their top players, it may be time to rethink how preseason and regular season schedules are structured.

The Preseason Risk Problem

The NHL preseason has always been a time for players to get back into game shape, but it can also be dangerous, especially for elite players. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs have experienced several injuries or near misses during training camp. Their three key players—Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and William Nylander—have all dealt with health issues this preseason. Several other players suffered minor or major injuries.

In a recent preseason game between the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, rookie Patrik Laine and promising youngster David Reinbacher suffered a knee injury. The injury highlights the dangers of preseason games for star players who haven’t faced the pressure of a game in months.

The Way Down to NHL Lineups

The biggest problem is how teams organize their rosters during preseason games. In order to sell tickets, teams often play their best players in home games while fielding prospects and fielding players in away games. This disparity can put star players at risk. While experienced players aim to easily return to game form, they often face opponents fighting for roster spots. These players give it their all, turning what should be an easy tune into a tough battle.

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The result is a dangerous dynamic where one team is playing at scrimmage intensity while the other is in playoff mode. This increases the chances of injury, especially when prospects and young players are playing for their NHL careers and are more willing to take physical risks.

NHL Regular Season Odds

Aside from the preseason, the regular season schedule also has its flaws. With 32 teams in the NHL, the current 82-game schedule creates an uneven structure. Ideally, teams can play all opponents in their division and meet at the same times. However, that is not possible under the current setup. This means that some teams only face their opponents three times while others meet four times, which creates an imbalance that can confuse the fans and the teams.

For example, in the 2024-25 season, the Maple Leafs will only play the Ottawa Senators three times, with two games in Toronto. This cuts fans in Ottawa—where the Maple Leafs’ games are more evenly matched—more of an opportunity to see their team against a major rival. From a business perspective, this also affects ticket sales, as Senators games against Toronto tend to command higher prices and sell out.

Strong Suggestion to Improve the Regular Season: Add Two Games

The NHL may add two more games to the regular season schedule to address this imbalance. Here’s how it can work:

• Each team will play their division rivals four times (total of 28 games).
• Each team will play teams from another division within their conference three times (total of 24 games).
• Each team will face teams from the other conference twice (a total of 32 games).

This will result in a balanced, regular season schedule of 84 games. This will not only ensure that teams play their division and conference rivals an equal number of times, but it will also give fans more opportunities to see their favorite players.

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The league may cut two preseason games to accommodate these extra games. Preseason games are, in many ways, unnecessary risks. By shortening the pre-season, players will still have time to prepare for the season, but the risk of injury will be reduced. Removing two games would also eliminate “pointless” matches that provide little value to teams or players.

NHL Needs Safer, More Structured Preseason

The NHL could restructure how teams approach the preseason to reduce the risk of further injury. Teams often hold rookie and prospect tournaments before main training camp begins. These early games give young players and junior program hopefuls a chance to showcase their skills.

The NHL may use a system where the preseason is divided into sections:

1. Rookie Games: The first two games will feature draft picks and prospects. This can be a low chance for young players to prove themselves.
2. List competitions: The next two games feature great prospects next to players fighting for roster spots. NHL regulars would not participate, reducing the chance of injury.
3. Main Program Tuning: The NHL’s core roster will play its final two preseason games, giving the team’s stars a chance to fine-tune their skills before the regular season begins.

This tiered approach will provide a safe space for star players while allowing smaller and deeper players to find their spots. Additionally, it will allow all players to gradually increase their intensity as they prepare for the regular season.

Important: Changes Needed to Fix Some Key Issues

A revised NHL preseason and regular season schedule could address several key issues. Adding two games to the regular season would create a more balanced schedule while reducing the risk associated with meaningless preseason games. Using a structured preseason format will also protect star players from injury while giving prospects a chance to prove themselves.

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Ultimately, these changes will benefit the players and fans, creating a safer, more enjoyable coverage leading into the regular season while ensuring a fair and balanced schedule throughout the season. These proposals will require negotiation between the NHL and the players’ union, but with careful planning, an improved system could make hockey safer and more competitive for everyone involved.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]