Everyone has been reached out to in some form. Some take longer to check in than others.
As for games on schedule, I do believe that IF regular games meant more to stats && playoffs, then I'd be willing to push for more games on schedule.
As it stands, we don't reward home/away advantages much && the top guys end up mostly at the top, and stats mean little given the changing coaches/rules/schedules league to league.
So putting extra games on schedule seems to stress the league with minimal reward. Also, adding high home/away advantages back into teams code seems to ruin the chemistry of the game/play because it effects checking, shooting & a lot more than guys just player a little better now that they are home, which is why most prefer to remove most of the home/away advantages .
But, way more exis happen around the draft/activity/etc, that's why I prefer a longer preseason. Keeps the traders active & gives time to get to know your team before "real games" start for those not trading or on the fence about a trade.