Time is running short to get in at least half an NHL season.
But Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby hopes the powers that be don't toss aside a short exhibition schedule in favour of more regular-season games if the NHL lockout ends some time in the next two weeks. Jumping right into the regular season could leave players vulnerable to injuries.
"It is something that would have to be negotiated and talked through with everyone," Crosby told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "You have to find that balance of making sure you're ready. Do you possibly miss other games (during the regular season) because you're not prepared?"
Crosby said he'd like to see each team play two or three exhibition games to help players get ready for what will be a compressed regular-season schedule.
"When you're playing your team's system against an actual opponent, not your own teammates, it's a little different," he said. "You do get something from that."
