TSN: Pierre LeBrun and Jay Onrait talk about the potential of chopping it again to a max of 4 exhibition video games and including two common season video games.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Onrait: “You have been a plethora of data from the Board of Governors conferences. You additionally talked about Tuesday that the NHL is lowering the preseason to 4 video games and probably including two extra common season video games to deliver the quantity to 84.
Which is one thing you set on the market that I’ve by no means seen everyone universally agree at TSN on one thing, however all of them did. That this may be a terrific concept. However my query for you, Pierre, is that, is that this one thing that might really occur subsequent season?”
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LeBrun: “Properly, 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’d, 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 would possibly go together with the gamers beginning in January. That he mentioned, In an ideal world, possibly there’s a brand new CBA extension to announce on the Stanley Cup Ultimate 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, which 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 recognize, I put on the market that the league and the PA have had very preliminary talks about, you recognize, lowering preseason video games and possibly extending the common season two video games. That’s not new. I really 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 an increasing number of uninterested in preseason …”
Onrait: “Yep.”
LeBrun: “.. and upset over accidents. I imply, (Patrik) Laine, (Drew) Doughty being the massive two. However you’re simply form 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 ensure 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 subsequent couple of days about that.
However the backside line is, within the subsequent CBA negotiations, the league goes to deliver this up, and I feel there will likely be an urge for food from the participant’s facet to cut back preseason video games possibly to 4, however then prolong 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 in the event you’re dropping cash on one facet, you bought to make it up on the opposite.
I hope it occurs, as a result of, you recognize, 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 the earth, 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: “Properly, 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, won’t be occurring.”
Onrait: “Our mutual dream of no hockey in June, it’s in all probability a pipe dream for us.”
