NHL Draws Anger From Fans After League's Controversial Scheduling Decision

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Ryan Hall
October 22, 2024 (9:19 PM)

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The NHL and commissioner Gary Bettman has received criticism and anger from many NHL fans as their poor decisions on scheduling continues to irritate some of the fanbase.

October 22nd was decided to be an all-evening hockey affair called Frozen Frenzy with games starting at 6:00 PM eastern stretching all the way into the early hours of the morning as all 32 teams faced off against one another for the first time in several years.

This premise is along the same lines that the NFL has done with their program called NFL Redzone where several games are on simultaneously and on different platforms including television and streaming services.

While many fans would enjoy having wall to wall coverage of hockey so early in the season, other fans were upset with the league's decision as it coincided with other events including opening night of the NBA's new season.

The likelihood is that this schedule conflict will certainly drive many fans away from the NHL tonight to watch their basketball team. This schedule also will impact the betting sites throughout North America and players who are in fantasy leagues as they would need to make major decisions on who they would keep on their bench and who would they play in their active roster.

Last evening, there was only one game on which was the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Tampa Bay Lightning and after tonight's frenzy there will be one game as well the following day.

No matter the case, it's an early treat for hockey fans who get to watch their favorite team play and have the option to watch any other franchise on the same night that is within their viewing area.