'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
"June 10 at the latest" - NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reveals league's potential plans that could impact future Stanley Cup schedule
The Stanley Cup schedule is usually the same every year. The days change and the dates change slightly based on how the calendar falls, but the season ends with one team lifting the trophy in June. Though some have discussed changing that, Pierre LeBrun said that for now it's not changing.
The analyst has talked before about changing the league schedule to end a little earlier in the year and believes the commissioner has heard his takes. LeBrun said on TSN (7:57):
"I will say that during Gary Bettman’s media session at the end of the Board of Governors Tuesday, he joked out loud about how ridiculous it would be to start in August and end in May. And I swear that was a shot at me. I’m telling you, Jay, that was a shot at me."
He went on to say that some league staff has had extremely preliminary conversations with the NHLPA about a different schedule but added:
"The most important part of it, I think, from the league’s perspective, is actually reducing preseason games, going to 84 regular-season games instead of 82. And yes, there’s also the potential to end the season a couple of weeks earlier. Have the Cup awarded by June 10 at the latest."
Whether or not the schedule changes remains to be seen, but there's at least a conversation going on about it right now.
Which teams might play the Stanley Cup Final this year?
While the dates won't change very much this year, the teams playing in the Stanley Cup Final might. Last year, the Florida Panthers, who were in their second consecutive trip to the finals, defeated the Edmonton Oilers.
So far, neither team is off to a bad start, which would indicate they have chance of returning. That said, right now, the top teams in the East and West are the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, respectively.
However, those two teams aren't the favorites. The Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are both +800 to win it all, per FanDuel. At +900, the Dallas Stars are not far behind.
The Panthers (+1000), New Jersey Devils (+1200), and Colorado Avalanche (+1200) can't be ruled out as potential contenders for the Stanley Cup, either.
Trending
