Pierre LeBrun kicked off his latest column for The Athletic talking about next year’s schedule. It sounds like the league and the NHLPA are working to figure out the 2025-26 schedule which will include an All-Star Game and an Olympic break. With a tentative start date on October 7th and an expected end date around June 21st, it’s going to be another compacted schedule. Get ready for a bunch of back-to-backs!
Despite that schedule not being completed yet (expect it to be announced in July) speculation has already begun on what the 2026-27 season will look like. It’ll be the first season under the new CBA, and it sounds like it could look a little different than what we’re used to seeing.
First off, they would start in September. The league and the NHLPA have both expressed interest in eliminating some preseason games and adding two more regular season games. By moving the start of the season up and keeping the same late June end date for the Stanley Cup Final, it would still allow the league to spread things out a little more and give the players a few more days off during the season.
Another tweak to the schedule could involve more divisional games while eliminating every team playing in every arena every year. That doesn’t have unanimous support among the teams, especially those that rely on yearly visits from popular teams to help boost their attendance.
Expect the schedule (and possibly the playoff format) to be part of the continuing CBA talks.
Lightning News
Lightning lose in shootout to Flyers, 4-3 [Raw Charge]
Not the result we were looking for, but another point in the books.
Takeaways from the Flyers 4-3 win [Broad Street Hockey]
A look from the other side of the ice as our friends at Broad Street Hockey recap the game.
Lightning take a step back instead of forward in Philadelphia [Lightning Insider]
EE recaps the game and bemoans the lack of shots from the Lightning (just 14 at 5v5).
Lightning pick up a point against Flyers but drop third straight game [Tampa Bay Times]
An “inexcusable” goal leads to the Lightning not getting the extra point in loss to the Flyers.
NHL News
Inside the Sabres never-ending rebuild [ESPN]
It’s been 14 years and at least two rebuilds since the Sabres made the playoffs. Is there an end in sight?
Save of the Year candidate?
Connor Zary suspended two games [Flames Nation]
Zary will miss the next two games thanks to an elbow to Elias Petterson’s (defenseman not forward) head.
Insider Trading: Clubs seek clarity on CHL, NCAA signing windows [TSN]
With the ruling that CHL players can now play in the NCAA, there is going to be some questions about the signing periods for players that opt to go that route. Expect it to be cleared up in the next CBA.
Ben Bishop is making an impact in player development role [Dallas Stars]
Old friend Ben Bishop has a new role in hockey as he helps develop the Stars prospects.
