Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour has backed scrapping the NHL pre-season, arguing players would rather begin meaningful games than take part in practice matches. His comments matter because the league has already reduced the pre-season and extended the regular season, prompting debate over whether exhibition fixtures remain worthwhile.

The NHL’s latest collective bargaining agreement cut each team’s pre-season schedule from six games to four, adding two matches to the regular season, which now contains 84 games. Brind’Amour believes most squads are effectively selected before these games, although the pre-season can still help assess fringe players and introduce NHL hockey to new audiences through neutral-site fixtures and cheaper tickets; the article suggests reducing it further may be preferable.