The NHL and NHLPA have extended their collective bargaining agreement for four years, introducing changes including an expanded regular season of 84 games starting in 2026. Key modifications include the prohibition of fitness tests during training camps and a reduction of training camp duration from 21 days to 13 days. Previously, fitness tests assessed players' endurance and strength, with specific benchmarks set for performance. Coaches have historically implemented rigorous conditioning exercises to instill fitness standards among players before the season begins.
"Fitness tests typically put skaters through conditioning exercises for coaches to determine the level of endurance and strength particular players possess ahead of the regular season."
"According to The Patriot-News' Tim Leone in 2014, Trotz had his players skate the length of the rink down and back twice and then back through the red line."
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