Sports Scheduling – How the NHL Could Handle an Odd Number of Teams

Ever wonder what happens when a league ends up with an uneven roster of clubs? The NHL just added the Seattle Kraken, pushing the total to 32 teams, but future expansions could leave the league with an odd count. That creates a weird puzzle: how do you set up a fair, balanced schedule when one team would always be left out each night?

First off, the simplest answer is to give one team a bye each round. That means 31 teams play while the 32nd rests, then the next night a different team sits out. It sounds easy, but it adds extra travel days, uneven rest periods, and a longer season if you want to keep the total number of games the same.

Option 1: Weekly Byes for Every Team

Imagine a calendar where each team gets a scheduled off‑night every 7‑8 games. The league could rotate the bye so no one gets stuck with back‑to‑back rest days. This spreads out fatigue and keeps the competition tight. The downside? More days on the ice overall, which could push the season into hotter months and clash with arena availability.

Fans also might miss out on weekly matchups if their favorite team is on a bye. Revenue from ticket sales and broadcasts could dip on those nights, especially if the bye lands on a high‑viewership slot.

Option 2: Extend the Regular Season

Another route is to add extra weeks to the calendar. Instead of squeezing a 82‑game schedule into 26 weeks, you stretch it to 28 or 30 weeks. This gives each team the same number of games without cramming too many matchups into a short span.

Longer seasons give players more recovery time and make it easier to fit in special events like outdoor games. However, it also means higher operational costs for teams and a later playoff start, which could interfere with other sports calendars.

Both ideas have trade‑offs, and the league would need to weigh fan interest, TV contracts, and arena logistics. Some analysts suggest creating a temporary “mini‑division” where the odd team is paired with a nearby club for a handful of extra games. That keeps the total game count steady while limiting travel.

Whatever the solution, clear communication with fans is key. People want to know when their team plays, where, and why certain weeks look different. A transparent schedule rollout, with explanations for any bye weeks or added dates, builds trust and keeps excitement high.

In short, an odd number of teams forces the NHL to get creative. Weekly byes keep the schedule tight but add rest days. Extending the season smooths out the load but pushes everything later. Hybrid models, like mini‑divisions, offer a middle ground. The right mix depends on balancing player health, fan experience, and business goals.

If you follow the Eastern Women’s Hockey Hub, you’ll see similar scheduling debates in women’s leagues too. Smaller leagues often face the same odd‑team problem and resort to flexible formats. Watching how they adapt can give clues about what might work for the NHL in the future.

Bottom line: odd‑team scheduling isn’t a dead end—it’s a chance for leagues to rethink how they structure games, rest, and revenue. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements; the NHL will likely test one of these ideas soon, and the ripple effect could shape scheduling across all of hockey.