Why so much travel during pre-season?

From Mike Rose of Newsday:

The Rangers will play six exhibition games in eight days, a condensed schedule that will require two flights and an unusual agenda for the preseason.

Crazy.

Taking flights to exhibition games?

Not necessary, right?

Isles, Philly, Boston — as in previous years?

Nope.

Read the entire entry from Blue Notes here.

I agree with Rose’s complaints.  The fact is, there is no need for travel in the pre-season.  Now, I understand that many regulars don’t suit up for these games, but why can’t the league limit exhibition action to teams within close vicinity to each other.  There is really no reason for the Rangers to be playing Tampa in pre-season hockey.