Photo: Sportsnet
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the NHL and NHLPA have reached an agreement on a 56-game 2020-21 season, pending votes by each side.
The NHL plans to schedule a Board of Governor’s call and vote on either Sunday or Monday. The NHLPA already had an executive board call scheduled for 8 PM ET on Friday.
Schedule
The agreement calls for training camps to open on Sunday, January 3, and the regular season to open on Wednesday, January 13. The seven teams that did not participate in the NHL’s return-to-play format (Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings) will be allowed to open training camps on Wednesday, December 30, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli. However, these dates are subject to change.
The NHLPA may begin voting as early as tonight on the tentative deal.
Opt-Out
The deal includes players having the option to opt-out for the upcoming season if a player or immediate family member is considered high-risk for COVID-19. That player would come off of their teams’ salary cap and the club would have the option of tolling contract for the year.
#NHL players who are deemed by medical staff to “be at substantial risk of developing a serious illness as a result of novel coronavirus” will be paid for the 2020-21 season.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 20, 2020
Canadian Border Issues
On Thursday, it was reported that the seven Canadian teams could move south of the border after the NHL’s negotiations with the Canadian government about an all-Canadian Division raised issues regarding health protocols with provinces. The two sides were expected to discuss it again on Friday and the hope is to resolve it by Monday.
Roster Size
Teams will be allowed to carry four-to-six extra players.
Taxi Squad details for the 2020-21 #NHL season:https://t.co/XpdrFRgPbt pic.twitter.com/5qNa7lA2ZL
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) December 20, 2020
Salary Prorations
There will be no extra proration of salaries or exhibition games.
#NHL players will be paid per diem while in quarantine (if required) before training camp.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 20, 2020
Offer Sheets
If a team were to get an Offer Sheet (Tampa Bay? 🤪), the 7-day period of first refusal will not be pro-rated. Still 7 days.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 20, 2020
Key Dates
As per the pending agreement: The 12/1 deadline for signing restricted free agents is 2/11…The date for extending one-year contracts moves from 1/1 to 3/12…Players exercising non-medical opt-outs must notify clubs seven days in advance of training camp…either 12/24 or 12/27
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) December 19, 2020
April 12, 2021 has been marked as the NHL Trade Deadline. July 23/24 are the dates for the NHL Draft.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 20, 2020
Stanley Cup Playoff Format
The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs will include the top four teams from each division.
Some info on Divisions & Playoffs:
1) Each division will be renamed for this season.
2) Conference Finals matchups will be seeded based on regular-season points.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) December 19, 2020
Divisional Realignment
If the Canadian government were to grant permission to the seven Canadian teams to travel across the country and play each other, the NHL would have to realign the 24 remaining teams south of the border. If not, the seven teams would relocate to the United States and perhaps, there would be no realignment, or play in a bubble in Edmonton. Four of the provinces are good with the plan while one has some objections, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
Pending sign-off from the provinces, the 4 NHL divisions this season will be:
Canadian: CGY, EDM, MTL, OTT, OTT, VAN, WPG
Atlantic: BOS, BUF, NJ, NYI, NYR, PHI, PIT, WAS
Central: CAR, CBJ, DET, CHI, DAL, FLA, NAS, TB
Pacific: ANA, AZ, COL, LA, MIN, SJ, STL, VGK— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) December 19, 2020
Note: he meant to put TOR and wrote “OTT” twice.
We could see another realignment if the Canadian government doesn’t approve of the NHL’s plan. A temporary bubble for the seven Canadian teams is unlikely as players do not want to be in a bubble.
Possible Relocations
In the event a NHL team has to temporarily relocate this season, players are entitled to a hotel room for them and their family; rental car and parking; and per diem even while at “home.”
If relocation lasts more than 28 days, additional benefits will be negotiated.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 20, 2020
Season Timeline
So, to recap:
Puck drop: Jan. 13
Trade deadline: April 12
End of reg season: May 8
Expansion draft: July 21
NHL draft: July 23-24
Free-agent Frenzy: July 28
July 29: LeBrun goes to cottage https://t.co/um2EkAIOc6— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 20, 2020
2021 NHL Expansion Draft
#NHL teams may begin to ask players to waive their no-move clause for purposes of Expansion Draft on Feb. 1. That window to request expires on July 13.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 20, 2020
An interesting twist on the expansion draft for @SeattleKraken: NHL teams submit their protection lists at 5 p.m. ET on July 17, and Seattle can start interviewing players left unprotected at 10 a.m. on July 18.
The Kraken have to finalize their picks by 10 a.m. on July 21.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 20, 2020
Free Agency
Fun date for hockey fans to circle: Free Agent Frenzy set for July 28 as per NHL-NHLPA agreement
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 20, 2020
We should know more about the upcoming season in the next few days.
Can confirm the NHL/NHLPA agreement in place is a 56-game season, starting January 13 — pending NHL BOG & NHLPA board voting.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) December 19, 2020
By Harrison Brown
