“NHL Preseason Injuries Spark Calls for Format Change”
Should the NHL reconsider its preseason format? Many fans are questioning this after several exhibition games have led to injuries for key players this fall.
The Montreal Canadiens lost two players—winger Patrik Laine and defenseman David Reinbacher—to significant knee injuries in a 2-1 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 23. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is anticipated to be sidelined for months due to an ankle injury suffered during the Kings’ game against the Vegas Golden Knights on September 25. Additionally, first overall pick Macklin Celebrini left the San Jose Sharks’ game against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday with a lower-body injury and is now listed as day-to-day.
Other injured players include Ottawa Senators stars Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle, as well as New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin. This extensive list of injuries has sparked discussions about reducing the number of preseason games that NHL teams are mandated to play.
Currently, teams are required to participate in at least six preseason games, with the option to play as many as eight. According to The Athletic’s NHL columnist Pierre LeBrun, discussions have taken place between the NHL and the NHLPA about potentially cutting the number of preseason games to four.
While regular NHL players typically participate in only about half of these games, prospects and players on professional tryouts (PTOs) usually play the majority as they seek to secure a spot on the roster. Additionally, many of the games feature AHL players who are preparing for their own league’s season.
To minimize travel, teams usually face nearby opponents, including major rivals. This setup can lead to heightened emotions and altercations, as seen in recent fights between in-state rivals Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
However, not everyone supports the idea of star players sitting out preseason games. Sportsnet’s Mark Spector noted that Connor McDavid recently expressed a desire to play in the Edmonton Oilers’ final three preseason games to ensure he feels game-ready for the regular season. Other NHL players may share this sentiment, utilizing these games as a warm-up before the season begins.
Many coaches also use this period to experiment with line combinations, defensive pairings, and goaltending strategies, while evaluating which prospects or young players are ready to transition to the NHL. The preseason plays a vital role in player development. Although players are training harder than ever during the summer, there is a significant difference between informal summer skates and actual NHL games.
Training camp is crucial for kicking off the hockey season, but nothing showcases a player’s abilities quite like competing in a realistic game scenario. Injuries can also occur during offseason training or team practices, even without preseason games. For the time being, NHL teams will maintain a minimum of six exhibition games.
With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire in 2026, and negotiations scheduled to begin next year between the NHL and NHLPA, the preseason is likely to be closely scrutinized in the upcoming months. Until then, fans can only hope their favorite players remain healthy before the season kicks off.