The NHL made the right decision in expanding the regular season schedule for next year. Just as importantly, and contrary to the concerns of some critics, the league was equally wise to scale back the number of preseason games.
At first, the idea of adding more regular season contests seemed questionable. Many argued that the schedule was already saturated, leaving little room for adjustment. Yet when balanced against a reduction in preseason play, the change carries real merit. Fewer exhibition games eliminate redundancy, while the added regular season matchups create greater competitive value for fans and teams alike.