Gary Bettman exposed for showing clear bias with the NHL travel schedule

Four of the last five Stanley Cup champions have come from states with no income tax, giving these teams a significant edge in free agency and trades. This advantage extends beyond taxes, as a recent analysis shows a stark discrepancy in travel distances between teams, highlighting a bias toward the Eastern Conference.

According to the data, the Pittsburgh Penguins will travel the least in the 2024/25 season, covering just 31,700 miles. The Eastern Conference dominates the list of teams with the least travel, occupying the top 10 spots. In contrast, the Dallas Stars will travel the most, with 56,700 miles, followed by Edmonton, Florida, and Anaheim, all exceeding 50,000 miles.

There is some justification for this disparity. Teams like Pittsburgh have division rivals located nearby, reducing their travel needs. Meanwhile, teams in Florida and Western Canada must travel extensively to face their division rivals.

Though the impact of travel on performance isn't conclusively proven—considering two of the top four teams in travel reached the Stanley Cup Finals last year—it's hard to ignore the potential effects come playoff time. The heavy travel burden could be a significant disadvantage.

Source: Hockey Feed
Huge discrepancies in travel for NHL teams next season.