NHL Training Camps Shift Gears: No More Mandatory Fitness Tests and a Trimmed‑Down Pre‑Season

When Sidney Crosby rolled onto the ice for the Penguins’ 2026‑27 training camp, he didn’t have to saddle up for the dreaded stationary‑bike sprint that used to be a rite of passage for every player. After 21 seasons of grueling fitness tests – lung‑busting skates, endless bike intervals and strength challenges that felt more like military boot camp – the NHL finally said, “Enough.”

Starting this season, the league has officially eliminated the mandatory fitness testing that once kicked off every preseason. Instead, teams get to decide on their own evaluation methods, and the preseason schedule itself has been whittled down to a mere four exhibition games per club. The changes are part of a broader overhaul in the new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA.

For a player like Crosby, now 39 and heading into his 22nd year, the shift feels like a breath of fresh air. “It’s tough timing after doing it for 21 years,” he laughed during the recent media tour in Las Vegas. “It’s nicer for the guys coming in … whether you played two years or 15, there was always that little bit of nervousness. I don’t think that’s a terrible thing.” He added that coming into camp already in good shape makes the whole process smoother for everyone.

Not every veteran is thrilled, though. Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson sees a silver lining in the old system. “There’s some positives to the testing – you get a snapshot of where you were last year and it can help with injury prevention,” he said. “But I don’t want to be practicing for a bike test all summer. That’s not gonna help win games or score goals.”

The move also acknowledges a practical reality: modern players train year‑round, often with personal trainers and sophisticated data tracking. By the time camp rolls around, most are already in peak condition, making a blanket fitness test feel redundant.

Shorter camps mean less wear and tear before the regular season begins, which could translate into healthier rosters and, hopefully, more competitive games. However, coaches lose a few days of on‑ice evaluation, and younger players might miss out on a structured setting to prove themselves.

Teams will now lean on individualized programs and internal metrics to gauge readiness. The league hopes this flexibility will encourage smarter training, reduce injuries, and keep the game exciting for fans.

Only time will tell whether the new approach sticks, but for now, players can breathe a little easier – and maybe spend a few extra minutes on the ice doing what they love, rather than being strapped to a bike.