According to multiple reports, the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association have reached a tentative agreement on the logistics for the 2020-21 season. Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news.
There is word tonight NHL & NHLPA have tentative deal on 56-game season.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 19, 2020
With this agreement reached by both parties, the 2020-21 NHL season is expected to start on Wednesday, Jan. 13 and will likely feature a 56-game schedule.
According to reports, the NHLPA executive board will have a conference call on Friday night to begin the process of approval for the plan. Meanwhile, the NHL’s Board of Governors will have a conference call for their vote of approval at a later date.
TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger reports that a formal announcement of the agreement between both parties for the season could come as soon as Sunday or Monday.
Expect NHL board vote on the reached agreement with the NHLPA Sunday/Monday. Details are going to be interesting. There are players eager to learn what Opt Out specifics are. NHLPA call happening now.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 19, 2020
While all the details of the logistics for the 2020-21 season have yet to be formally announced, here are some of the details that are being reported as of Friday night:
– Training camps for the 24 teams that played in the Return To Play plan this past summer will start on Sunday, Jan. 3.
– Training camps for the seven teams that failed to qualify for the Return To Play plan will be able to start on Thursday, Dec. 31.
Training camps scheduled to open Jan. 3 although for the seven non-playoff teams from last summer, Dec. 31.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 19, 2020
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].