Steve Yzerman Advocates for 84-Game NHL Regular Season: Balancing Divisional Games and Preseason Challenges
Steve Yzerman, the former captain of the Detroit Red Wings and current GM, is in favor of expanding the NHL regular-season schedule to 84 games. He believes that this change will bring more balance to divisional games. The NHL is set to implement the 84-game season starting in 2026-27, adding two more games to the current 82-game slate. However, Yzerman does have concerns about the reduction in preseason games from eight to four per team. This change will make it challenging for coaching staff to assess prospects and give players on the roster bubble limited opportunities to showcase their skills.
Yzerman acknowledges the difficulties that come with having only four preseason games but believes that the benefits of an 84-game season outweigh the challenges. The last time the NHL experimented with an 84-game season was in 1992-93 and 1993-94, following the 1992 NHL players' strike. The plan to add two games for each team to be played at neutral sites was eventually dropped after the 1994-95 lockout.
In conclusion, Steve Yzerman supports the idea of an 84-game NHL regular season, emphasizing the benefits it can bring to divisional games. Despite concerns about the reduced preseason games, Yzerman believes that the league will manage the challenges and make the new format work effectively.