Gary Bettman to reportedly announce major change to the Detroit Red Wings' schedule

Pierre Lebrun, a sports commentator, reported that a major adjustment could be made for the NHL 2026/27 season regarding the Red Wings' future.

The National Hockey League is expected to increase all regular season games from 82 to 84, suggesting the league's first change made by Bettman since 1995/96, the year the NHL originally reduced their 84 games to 82.

The Detroit Red Wings would therefore play 84 games per season, leaving much more wiggle-room for the team to excel for the post-season playoffs.

Although two additional games doesn't seem like a much, this could make the difference between the Red Wings making post-season or not.

The addition of these two games would impact the preseason schedule, which would conclude in the league being forced to revise the early part of the season.

It would also create fewer exhibition games to be played and the regular season would begin slightly earlier.

The league intends to start the season early, however, the season is not expected to finish in May, rather ease congestion in the regular season.

The Stanley Cup will also still be won in the month of June.

Despite the possible increase of games for next season, the Detroit Red Wings are in dire need for those additional games this year, with a tight race in the Wildcard Division, every game counts.

Let's hope this 82 game season gives the Wing's enough space to make their appearance at this year's playoffs.