Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

A shortened NHL training camp: Is this good or bad?

deseret.com · 11h · first reportShare

NHL training camps are astronomically different this year, compared to prior seasons. Last year, the Utah Mammoth, for example, had 21 days between the beginning of training camp and the first regular-season game. This year, it’s down to 15. Teams previously had the discretion to play anywhere from six to eight preseason games, but they’re now set at four with each “veteran” limited to playing in no more than two of them. The change comes with the addition of two extra regular-season games per team, beginning this year. Shorter training camps and fewer preseason games lightens the work load on the front end before an especially long season. For players whose names are written on the opening-night lineup sheet in permanent marker, it’s a welcome change. There’s less exhaustion and risk of injury before the season starts. “Typically in years past when you have all this time, you just get up and down the ice and (don’t worry about) a ton of systems the first few days. It’s really just bre