Gary Bettman and the NHL Decide to Cancel Major Event

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Tom Banks
February 19, 2024 (4:00 PM)

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The NHL have done things the same way for a number of years, but according to a recent report, there may be one huge change coming for the NHL's traditional off-season.

NHL Awards Night to be cancelled by Gary Bettman

According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest edition of 32 Thoughts the Podcast, the NHL is looking to scrap the NHL Awards Night in favour of a much different option.

Friedman on 32TP says he doesn't expect there to be much of an award show this year, they're talking about copying the NBA, where they award the trophy during the playoffs, either on game day or the day before, then the player gets rewarded with a big ovation in front of the fans

That different option would be similar to the NBA's awards, which are given out to players during the playoffs so that they can receive their award and an ovation in front of their adoring home fans. While the Awards night used to be a prestigious one, things have changed drastically in recent times, and with viewership going down and down more by the year, it makes sense if the NHL were to look at a different option.

It's easy to see why the league always wanted to honour players in the same building on the same night, but the show just isn't the same anymore, and if players can receive their awards in front of their home fans during a playoff run instead, it's highly likely that they will see that as the much better option as well.

As Read on Blade of Steel - NHL making the decision to cancel important event