News Article: Schedule released 50 games in 100 days

[Caeldan]

After the random 5 day break in Feb, there are 9 back to back games and only 8 back to back days of rest (counting the 3 days as 2 b2b) in 3 months.

That 'random' 5 day break is the ASG iirc (which for some reason they're running this year despite planning on the Olympics originally and now needing space to squeeze games)

 

[Clamshells]

That 'random' 5 day break is the ASG iirc (which for some reason they're running this year despite planning on the Olympics originally and now needing space to squeeze games)

Oh damn that's right. I haven't watched it in years, completely forgot it existed.

 

[slamigo]

That 'random' 5 day break is the ASG iirc (which for some reason they're running this year despite planning on the Olympics originally and now needing space to squeeze games)

I believe that they have to give the players a week off due to the CBA.

 

[StoicSensFan]

I wonder if there's any chance Sanderson signs here after the Olympics, might need his help.

 

[Caeldan]

I believe that they have to give the players a week off due to the CBA.

I feel like if you asked the players 'hey do you want a 5 day break, then 9 games in 14 days or would you be willing to smooth that out a little by waiving the break'... Might be more than a few willing to play through it.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I love it. Lots of hockey is never a bad thing.

There are human beings playing the game tho.
DJ better rethink how he treat Chabot

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

DJ still going to play Chabot 28 minutes a game for the lulz.

 

[Yak]

DJ still going to play Chabot 28 minutes a game for the lulz.

DJ will still play Brown for more mins then he deserves!

 

[maclean]

I feel like if you asked the players 'hey do you want a 5 day break, then 9 games in 14 days or would you be willing to smooth that out a little by waiving the break'... Might be more than a few willing to play through it.

Don't forget, it's not just about resting, it's about getting time to spend with their families, etc. I think a lot of players would still take it

 

[TeamRenzo]

Would you take a first overall pick this year if it means one of Brady, Chabot or Timmy gets a career-ending injury? While this sort of thing is always a small risk, playing that many games over 100 days increases that risk a fair bit. And if not career-ending, there's also a lot of guy who have their potential squashed with serious nagging injuries, too.

I love watching hockey as much as anyone, but this isn't safe for the players.

How do we know it isn't safe for the players? Do we know the line in terms of safe/unsafe between the number of games in a week/month?

I am generally interested in the science behind it, not trying to start anything.

 

[Rand0m]

How do we know it isn't safe for the players? Do we know the line in terms of safe/unsafe between the number of games in a week/month?

I am generally interested in the science behind it, not trying to start anything.

I think it has to do with lack of recovery time. I'm pretty sure numerous studies have shown that recovery time post physical activity is very important, it's why you don't workout the same muscles in the gym everyday. After physical exertion, the muscles have these micro-tears that heal back "stronger". It's basically how you build bigger muscles. If you never give a chance to these micro-tears to heal, muscle fatigue sets in and the muscles can't perform as optimally as the usually do. Obviously, anyone who had a prior injury becomes at a greater risk of re-aggravating that injury, for others, a weakened muscle offers less protection to the joints and makes them more likely to be over-extended/torn.

I'm guessing sleep schedules will also be messed up with frequent overnight travel, if you're more tired, you're less sharp and alert and more likely to get injured during a play in a high paced sport like hockey.

All that said, these a pro-athletes getting paid an absurd amount of money to play hockey, they should be focused 100% on health and recovery during the season.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

How do we know it isn't safe for the players? Do we know the line in terms of safe/unsafe between the number of games in a week/month?

I am generally interested in the science behind it, not trying to start anything.

Well, four grueling rounds of the playoffs is 28 games (or less) in about 60 days. And we see the injuries that pile up during the post season. We're just about doubling that. Yes, regular season games don't have the same intensity, so the math isn't perfectly even....but we're basically looking at doubling what a team has to go through in a typical playoff. Don't really need to be a scientist to figure there's going to be more injuries than usual.

 

[OmniSens]

On a positive note, this mean less Josh Brown.

Or the opposite

 

[Ice-Tray]

Sweet! Might get to see the boys this season after all! He’ll, the border might even be hassle free for the Seattle game.

 

[Boud]

5 games in 7 days after the AS break.

Ouch.

 

[Cosmix]

Interesting that after the past 2 months of last minute postponements the NHL confident enough to cram so many games into such a short period. Literally 1 hiccup and the whole thing crumbles.

Its the best they could do (I'm being kind here)!

 

[Alfie11]

That's a lot of Gabriels Sens Game Night Specials in a short time.

Sens will be dead tired and I will be 400lbs.