Terre Haute, IN, September 25, 2026 — The National Hockey League (NHL) is set to implement an 84-game regular season schedule, marking a significant shift in the league’s structure. This expansion of the regular season is the first of its kind in nearly three decades, with the league last operating under an 84-game format in 1994.

The decision to increase the number of regular season games from the previously standard length brings the NHL back to a schedule not seen by current generations of fans and players. While the specific start date for this new schedule was not provided in the summary, the change signifies a notable evolution for the league’s competitive calendar.

The shift to an 84-game season represents a departure from the more recent practice of shorter regular seasons. The implications of this change for player fatigue, team strategies, and the overall viewing experience are subjects of ongoing discussion within the hockey community. However, specific details regarding the rationale behind this decision or its projected impacts were not included in the available information.

The league has not specified which season this 84-game schedule will commence. Historically, NHL seasons have varied in length, with the current format being a long-standing standard. The return to an 84-game schedule is a notable event, bringing the league’s operational structure in line with a format that was last utilized nearly thirty years ago.

Further details regarding the implementation, including any adjustments to the playoff structure or specific scheduling considerations, have not been released. The NHL has not provided information regarding the exact number of games played in the seasons preceding this change, beyond noting that 84 games were last played in 1994.


Story summarized from the original created by STEPHEN WHYNO, Associated Press on www.mywabashvalley.com, see more information here.

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