Has it been documented if the PA is in favour of reducing games? I wonder if they would trade a salary reduction for less games themselves.
There certainly could be much fewer pre-season games that could help shorten the year.
If they did a good enough job creating and promoting a Prospects camp tournament where only ELC and unsigned prospects could play they certainly could offset the revenue of going down to just 4 true pre-season games.
Start the rookies in August so they can be back at Juniors or College sooner.
Then the 4 NHL calibre tune up games in the first two weeks of Sept.
Season starts mid Sept so you don't go into June.
Go to 76 games, less back to backs, players salaries rollback 7% in line.
Theoretically, fewer tired players, fewer injuries, better hockey.