Sports

Hockey fans left angry over ‘weird’ NHL scheduling.

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The new NHL season has begun, and fans are excited to watch their teams again. The season began on October 7 with three games: Florida vs. Chicago (Florida won 3-2), Pittsburgh vs. Chicago. New York Rangers (Pens win 3-0), and Colorado vs. Los Angeles (Canes win 4-1).

However, as we progressed into the first week of NHL action, we began to see fans dissatisfied with the schedule. One hockey page published on X:

“Thursday – 14 games, Friday – 0 games, Saturday – 16 games, Sunday – 1 game.”

Fans quickly started reacting to the schedule plan on X.

“Gary Bateman Special.” one fan called out He – she.

@NHL_Rosters Gary Bettman Special

“So sick, let’s compete with college football, great job NHL.” Another fan said.

@NHL_Rosters is so sick, let’s compete with college football with a great job in the NHL

“The NHL tries to create these days when all the teams play but fails to market them in any way. It ends up being a weird schedule.” one fan wrote.

Here are some additional fan reactions to X:

“The NHL returns on Tuesday and there is no hockey on the first Friday night of the season. NHL Primetime Scheduling,” another fan chided.

“NHL games are mainly held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. You act like this is new 😂” one fan wrote.

“Having everyone play on the first Saturday is nice. It’s not really marketed as a big event, although that’s typical in the NHL.” One fan’s reaction.

Many fans expect the league to distribute games more evenly.

The Panthers raised their banner ahead of the new NHL season

Florida Panthers They kicked off the 2025-26 NHL season by raising the Stanley Cup banner before a Chicago Blackhawks game. Coach Paul Morris spoke about the ring ceremony on Monday and the banner raising on Tuesday.

“So, for the last 24 hours, we’ve had to relive it a little bit. It’s been very nice.” Morris said, noting that winning the cup twice is rare and special.

forward Brad Marchand He said seeing the banner go up was a special feeling. He added that once the puck drops, the team focuses on a new season and new challenges.

“It’s a very special feeling, to be able to watch it go up, and now it’s going to be there forever.” Marchand said, via NHL.com.

The ceremony included a video recap of the 2024-25 season, showing key acquisitions Seth Jones and Marchand and the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win over Edmonton. The players watched the flag rise together, then began the new season.