The National Hockey League will expand its regular season schedule from 82 to 84 games starting with the upcoming season, marking only the second time in the league’s 109-year history that the schedule has extended beyond 82 games. The last time the NHL played an 84-game regular season was during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 campaigns, when the league had fewer teams.

This change, agreed upon by players and owners in the collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2030, will see all 32 teams take on two additional regular-season games. The increased schedule will result in a record 1,344 games during the regular season, surpassing previous totals despite the league’s expansion since the early 1990s.

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis expressed optimism about the extension, describing it as a subtle but steady driver of growth for the league. “That uplift is very subtle. People aren’t realizing it, but that’s an organic way to grow,” he said, emphasizing the business benefits of additional game dates.

The addition of two games per team has implications for various aspects of the sport, including adjustments to training camp length and the number of exhibition matches, both of which will be reduced to accommodate the extended regular season. Analysts also expect it could influence player usage, particularly with goaltender tandems, and have effects on individual statistics and records over the course of the season.

ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro, who played during the last era when the NHL schedule stretched to 84 games, noted the challenges posed by the longer season. “Eighty-four games is a long, long road,” Ferraro said, expressing interest in how the league and its players will adapt to the expanded calendar.

The move reflects the NHL’s continued confidence in the growing popularity and commercial strength of the sport. Attendance figures have been rising consistently in recent years, and the salary cap has increased significantly, indicating robust financial health. The extension to an 84-game schedule is the league’s latest step to capitalize on this momentum by delivering more hockey to fans while navigating the logistical complexities that come with a longer season.