As the National Hockey League (NHL) begins the 2026-27 season, this year’s training camps are unfolding without the long-standing practice of mandatory fitness testing. A provision in the league’s recently ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA), effective from the first day of camp on September 16, prohibits teams from administering any fitness tests, either on or off the ice, during training camp or the regular season.

This marks a significant change from previous years, when players such as defenseman Connor Clifton, now with the Boston Bruins, faced rigorous physical benchmarks before gaining approval for on-ice activities. Clifton described formerly having to complete three miles on an assault bike under a strict time limit as a source of anxiety that dominated his training camp experience. With the fitness tests removed, he now focuses more on on-ice conditioning and skill development, training with weighted sprints, jumps, and motor-powered flywheel exercises during the off-season.

The decision to eliminate fitness testing came as part of a broader negotiation that expanded the regular season schedule to 84 games—two more than before—while reducing the length of the preseason calendar. New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, who serves on the NHL Players’ Association executive board, explained that shortened training camps created less time for extensive off-ice tests such as treadmill sprints or bike intervals, which some players found unpleasant and taxing.

For many players, especially younger athletes like Bruins forward James Hagens, the removal of fitness tests has eased the mental and physical burden of camp preparation. Veteran center Pavel Zacha noted that the shift was noticeable, comparing the anxiety of chasing test times during his nine years in the league to the current more relaxed approach.

However, not all reactions have been positive. Some coaches and general managers voiced concerns about the loss of objective conditioning data. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney expressed frustration over the inability to use fitness tests as benchmarks for conditioning, injury risk assessment, and performance prediction. Similarly, Columbus Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness lamented that the absence of testing left him uncertain about some players’ readiness when they arrived at camp, hinting that his approach to the training camp could change if players appeared underprepared.

Under the new agreement, training sessions are also limited in duration—players can be on the ice for no more than one hour and 45 minutes, with off-ice workouts capped at one hour and 15 minutes per day during the initial four days of preseason. While teams are still permitted to use wearable monitoring devices and gym-based technologies to assess performance factors like power and endurance, some coaches, including New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, argued that the removal of standardized fitness tests reduces the ability to proactively evaluate and optimize player conditioning.

With the regular season set to begin next week, both management and coaching staffs will closely monitor how these changes to training camp protocols affect player health and performance on the ice. The absence of formal testing places greater reliance on trust that players have adequately prepared during the off-season, leaving teams to hope for strong starts and minimal injuries in the months ahead.