Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour used his recent appearance on TSN’s “Overdrive” to argue that the NHL should eliminate the preseason altogether. “Guys just want to play. Guys just want to drop the puck and start for real,” Brind’Amour said, adding that players “don’t like practicing — nobody does.”
Why the preseason may be obsolete
Brind’Amour pointed out that the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement already reduced the preseason from six games to four, with the two eliminated games added to the regular season, now a total of 84 contests. He believes even that reduction is insufficient, suggesting the league stop scheduling meaningless games that primarily serve as a marketing tool.
According to the coach, roster decisions are largely settled before the preseason begins. “It’s not like even I remember, there were always spots available,” he explained. “There were 10 guys maybe that you knew were on the team, then there were a couple of guys that were fighting for a spot here. Maybe even a goalie spot might’ve been open. That doesn’t happen now, hardly ever. The team’s picked.”
Counterpoint: preseason as a marketing opportunity
While Brind’Amour makes a compelling case for cutting the preseason, some observers note that the games provide valuable exposure in markets that rarely see NHL action. Recent neutral‑site games have taken place in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Trois‑Rivières, Quebec, giving fans a more affordable chance to watch professional hockey live.
These events can help grow the sport’s fan base, especially in regions without a local franchise. Nonetheless, Brind’Amour argues that the league should consider further reductions, perhaps dropping another game or two, now that the regular season has been expanded.
What the league might do next
The NHL has not indicated any immediate plans to eliminate the preseason entirely, but the discussion reflects broader conversations about schedule length, player health, and fan experience. As the regular season approaches, teams will continue to evaluate how best to prepare their rosters while balancing the desire for competitive play with the practicalities of a longer schedule.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether the league adopts Brind’Amour’s suggestion or maintains the current four‑game preseason format.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
