Why the NHL Will Move to an 84 Game Schedule

Some think an 84 game season does not makeWith more games, and an earlier start to the season,
sense. Some would say "The players play enough asthe league will be able to be more creative with
it is", "82 games is a lot", "What do the players think". Itscheduling which will allow one more home game per
seems though that an 84 game season would actuallyteam. This is not the only benefit to the league. With 30
benefit the players, the league, and the fans. Here'steams playing an extra two games that means 60
why.more regular season games being played overall. In the
If the league moves to 84 games the players wouldwords of NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly " The
actually play LESS games, how you ask? Right nowNHL makes more off of two regular season games
the NHL teams play nine pre-season games, and 82than four pre-season games"
regular season games. Players feel that with trainingHow does this benefit the players?
camp and pre-season the lead up to regular seasonThe players will have a shorter training camp, less
play is much to long. If the NHL moves to an 84 gamepre-season games, and an earlier start to the season
season they would drop four of the pre-seasonand likely a slight increase in salary. Also the fans will
games and add two regular season games. So if youbenefit from seeing an earlier start to regular season
include pre-season games and regular season gamesplay.
the players will actually play two less games overall.When will the 84 game season begin?
How does this help the league?