Due to the serious injuries suffered by players like Patrik Laine, Drew Doughty, and others during this year’s preseason games, a new debate has surfaced.

Immediately after Laine’s injury, the renowned Pierre LeBrun once again raised the question.

In this era when NHL players stay in such good shape over the summer, is it really necessary to have so many exhibition games?

The answer is no.

Gary Bettman and the NHL could cancel the remaining exhibition games due to high amount of injuries

These canceled preseason games would then be converted into regular-season games.

All the leaders seem to agree with the idea.

It’s unusual to say, but the unfortunate injury suffered by the Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine, as well as the one suffered by Drew Doughty, might have truly contributed to changing things in the NHL.

Don’t be surprised if we’ve just seen the last training camp with this many exhibition games.

 
«Should the NHL preseason be shorter? Yes. How it could work and what top executives think. The answers in my new article.»

– Pierre LeBrun
 

Still on the topic of exhibition games, and following Patrik Laine’s injury, LeBrun also revealed that Jeff Gorton had an interesting discussion with his players.

A case to watch closely, then!

If we can get rid of these endless exhibition games, as the NFL recently did, to add more «real» hockey games, I believe it could be a win-win for everyone.