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Kari Jalonen proposes reducing SM-liiga regular season games
Tappara head coach Kari Jalonen has advocated for reducing the number of regular season games in the Finnish SM-liiga, suggesting a 52-game schedule to improve game quality and player recovery.
Jalonen noted that the current schedule, which has grown to 64 games, leaves little room for high-quality training as sessions often focus on recovery rather than development. He pointed out that the league's game volume is significantly higher than in other top European leagues such as those in Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
SM-liiga CEO Mikko Pulkkisen confirmed that the league has already established guidelines to decrease the number of games in the future, describing the upcoming season as a transition period.
Entities
Kari Jalonen · Mikko Pulkkisen · Raimo Helminen · SM-liiga · Tappara
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The current number of regular season games in the SM-liiga has reached 64. www.kymensanomat.fi · www.sss.fi
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tappara head coach Kari Jalonen suggested a 52-game regular season would improve game quality and player freshness. www.kymensanomat.fi · www.sss.fi
- [● 2 SOURCES] SM-liiga CEO Mikko Pulkkisen stated that guidelines have been set to decrease the number of regular season games. www.kymensanomat.fi · www.sss.fi