The NHL considers adding two games to their schedule. Also, “Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” returns to the CFP MegaCast; Brittney Griner plans on making a return to basketball.
NHL considering 84 game schedule
According to an ESPN report from Greg Wyshynski, the NHL is discussing adding two more games to the regular season schedule to create more regional rivalry matchups. The current 82 game schedule is imbalanced, with teams playing five divisional opponents four times and the two others three times. Adding two extra games would balance the divisional schedule, while keeping the existing schedule. Teams would still have three games with each intraconference non-divisional opponent and two games each with teams out of their conference.
This is part of an ongoing effort from the NHL to increase the regional rivalry game inventory, which have historically had the highest TV ratings in the league. The NHL has played at least 80 games in full seasons since 1974, with an 82 game schedule since the 1995-96 season. They also previously experimented with an 84 game schedule from 1992-1994.
The report also states that NHL GMs have discussed potentially lengthening road trips by playing opponents multiple times to reduce travel, similar to the COVID schedule. Any schedule changes would need approval from the NHLPA. (ESPN 12.16)
Pat McAfee Show returns to the CFP MegaCast on ESPN2
“Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show” is returning to the CFP MegaCast after a three year absence. Pat McAfee will anchor the show on ESPN2 from the sidelines. A rotating group of ESPN analysts and various personalities and celebrities will join McAfee throughout the broadcast.
It has been a banner year for McAfee, as The Athletic recently named him their “Sports Media Person of the Year” for his various media successes. “The Pat McAfee Show,” recorded over 425.4 million views and 7.2 million likes on YouTube in 2022 and he was WWE’s “Friday Night Smackdown” host, before joining “College GameDay” as a full-time member in early November. (ESPN 12.16, The Athletic 12.16)
Brittney Griner to attempt to play this season
Phoenix Mercury forward Brittney Griner returned home to Arizona after a week of evaluations at a Texas military base. Griner released a statement on her Instagram that she intends to play for the Mercury this season and “in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”
The Mercury’s first game is on May 19 at the Los Angeles Sparks. Their first home game is two days later against the Chicago Sky. (Griner Instagram 12.16)
