The surprising CBA adjustment that could hit Dallas Stars fans in ways they didn't see coming

The NHL and NHLPA agreed in their new Collective Bargaining Agreement to expand the regular season from 82 to 84 games. For Stars supporters, that means 42 chances to fill American Airlines Center instead of the usual 41.

At first glance, it's hard not to get excited. More games means more opportunities to watch the Stars battle their biggest rivals, more ticket revenue for the organization, and more nights of Victory Green in Dallas.

Of course, the league had to make space for those extra matchups. Preseason will be shortened starting in 2026, with teams dropping from six games to a smaller schedule. Like the NFL, the NHL is putting the focus squarely on games that count. And let's be honest, most fans would rather see regular-season intensity than September lineups filled with AHL prospects.

The new format also fixes one of the NHL's biggest quirks. Until now, divisional games weren't evenly distributed, leaving some rivalries watered down. The updated system guarantees four matchups against every divisional opponent, three against the rest of the conference, and two against each team from the opposite conference.

For the Stars, that's a double-edged sword. More rivalry nights with the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues will certainly energize fans, but it also means grinding through even more of the league's toughest division. Every extra battle in the Central could be the difference between home ice and a wild-card spot.

Still, as a fan, I'd gladly trade another low-energy preseason game for more showdowns that actually matter. The road gets tougher, but it also gets a lot more exciting.