The National Hockey League and its players reached a tentative deal on Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021 beginning Jan. 13, pending the approval of each side’s executive board and Canadian health officials.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the sides have an agreement, pending the approval of various executive boards.
Players on the NHL Players’ Association’s executive board call Friday night supported moving forward with the agreed-upon terms, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because players had yet to officially approve the agreement.
The league’s board of governors could vote on the plan as soon as this weekend. Approval from health officials in the five Canadian provinces that have teams is still needed before the NHL can go ahead with the season.
Training camps for the seven teams that did not participate in last season’s playoff bubbles would open Dec. 31, and camps would commence Jan. 3 for the other 24 teams. It’s unclear whether teams would play in their home arenas or in “hub” cities, though an all-divisional schedule is expected.
Exhibition games aren’t expected to be included in the lead-up to the new campaign. Sportsnet in Canada first reported the tentative agreement.
So we’ve got hockey for the 20-21 season? A ‘tentative agreement’ has been reached for a 56-game season…
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When does the CASH start flowing for the Rich old Farts??
Some of the players and fans will have to get more education to figure this out.
5 Provinces have to approve…. WJC in Alberta already, so one vote. Wonder if the Premiere of Alberta knows how to vote.
No WJC for dumb Germans, 8 players!! They had to have known before they left for CANADA!!
Forfeit Forfeit, Canada plays Germany first, play blindfolded???
Still a lot of interesting questions need to be addressed