TSN: Pierre LeBrun and Jay Onrait talk about the potential for slicing it again to a max of 4 exhibition video games and including two common season video games.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Onrait: “You had been a plethora of knowledge from the Board of Governors conferences. You additionally talked about Tuesday that the NHL is taking a look at lowering the preseason to 4 video games and doubtlessly including two extra common season video games to convey the quantity to 84.
Which is one thing you set on the market that I’ve by no means seen all people universally agree at TSN on one thing, however all of them did. That this is able to be an awesome concept. However my query for you, Pierre, is that, is that this one thing that would truly occur subsequent season?”
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LeBrun: “Effectively, so right here’s the factor. I imply, one dialog leads into the opposite, as a result of this gained’t occur till there’s a brand new CBA. And so what I might, would have mentioned to you is that why it gained’t occur for 2 years as a result of the present CBA expires in September ’26 besides that Gary Bettman, after the Board of Governors Assembly, was so hopeful of the place this negotiation may go together with the gamers beginning in January. That he mentioned, In an ideal world, perhaps there’s a brand new CBA extension to announce on the Stanley Cup Remaining in June.”
OnraitL “Wow.”
LeBrun: “This June.”
Onrait: “Wow.”
LeBrun: “Like craziness. The explanation I point out that now, I do know we could get into that, however is that, that will have an effect on issues like what we’re speaking about. The potential, the potential for the schedule to alter.
And I wish to make one thing very clear, the truth that, you realize, I put on the market that the league and the PA have had very preliminary talks about, you realize, lowering preseason video games and perhaps extending the common season two video games. That’s not new. I truly reported this again in July, however I felt the necessity to reiterate it yesterday, Jay, as a result of I can sense that followers are getting increasingly uninterested in preseason …”
Onrait: “Yep.”
LeBrun: “.. and upset over accidents. I imply, (Patrik) Laine, (Drew) Doughty being the massive two. However you’re simply type of holding your breath. I imply, each time the Senators and Habs and Leafs play one another in that triangle rivalry, you’re holding your breath to guarantee that everybody will get out of that recreation in a single piece.
And, and I personally really feel Jay that, that the NHL has outgrown needing eight preseason, a most of eight, some groups per preseason. I’ve talked to a few governors that agree with me yesterday. I even have a chunk popping out within the Athletic the following couple of days about that.
However the backside line is, within the subsequent CBA negotiations, the league goes to convey this up, and I believe there will probably be an urge for food from the participant’s facet to cut back preseason video games perhaps to 4, however then lengthen the common season by two,
As a result of the tip of day, it’s income. And the gamers are within the income pie with the house owners. And if you happen to’re dropping cash on one facet, you bought to make it up on the opposite.
I hope it occurs, as a result of, you realize, right here we’re in October. We’re nonetheless haven’t began the season, Jay, let’s drop the puck for actual. Yeah, come on.”
Onrait: “Actually, there’s not a single one who disagrees with you on this one Pierre. What, what on this planet, information, politics, leisure, sports activities, no one agrees on the identical factor. All of us agree on this one.
It’s outstanding actually when you consider it.”
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LeBrun: “Effectively, think about in the event that they added a caveat, the Stanley Cup awarded by Could thirty first. Wouldn’t that be thrilling Jay, however that won’t, is not going to be taking place.”
Onrait: “Our mutual dream of no hockey in June, it’s in all probability a pipe dream for us.”
