NHL collective bargaining agreement changes shorten training camp and preseason schedules

NHL rookie camps are underway as of September 11, 2026, marking the start of the season for teams including the Utah Mammoth. This year’s camps arrive with significant structural adjustments due to the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Training camps are now limited to 13 days, a notable reduction from previous seasons where camps lasted nearly a month., the new agreement prohibits traditional fitness testing during these periods. For many organizations, the rookie games will function as an extension of the preseason schedule. Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong noted the shift, recalling previous training camps that lasted approximately 40 days. The compressed schedule aims to shift the focus toward the upcoming regular-season grind.

• 11:30 PMYahoo Sports — NHL rookie camps are different this year. Here’s why