While the 2020-21 season isn’t expected to start until December, possibly even January, the NHL has maintained in the past that it would like to have a full 82-game regular season to bring stability back to fans. Nothing has changed in the minds of the NHL, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, who reports that the NHL remains committed to a full NHL season next year, even if that means squeezing more games into the calendar.
With the regular season calendar scheduled for 186 days last season, even an optimistic Dec. 1 start-up date would have the NHL regular season finishing in early June. Regardless, the NHL will have to push the playoffs into the summer for a second season in a row. That will likely force the NHL to schedule more back-to-back games and force teams to play a record number of games each month in order to accomplish that feat. That could eventually return the NHL to a truly normal schedule for the 2021-22 season.
TSN’s Brennan Klak writes that a condensed schedule could doom the NHL all-star game and the players’ bye week. The all-star game was scheduled to be in Florida in 2021, but might be forced to be cancelled to conserve calendar space. The scribe also notes that with such a condensed schedule, injuries and back-up goaltending could play major roles in teams’ successes. Therefore depth could be the key for teams’ success.
by the way, if it starts in 2021 shouldn’t they just call it the 2021 season?
If injuries and back up goaltending is going to be critical,you better inflate the cap from a competitive standpoint. I’ve always said have a soft goalie cap.
The league is fumbling this badly.
Play a few exhibitions-start games for the play in round Aug 3rd. That best of 5 play in should be a 9 days TOPS.
Each 7 game series should be 12 days long.
48 days. Finish early as well as your established opponent for the next round? START THE ROUND EARLY.
You should be done no later than mid Sept at the latest. 90% of your league will have been off since at least August 30. Start your season mid November.
Guess what folks? Stay in your conference next year. Reduce travel. 65 games. No All Star game.
Back on track in April for playoffs.
When they come out and say “well what if the virus hits before our season” it will solidify what we know now-these playoffs were about the American dollar.
This league spins like a record and we pay to listen to the scratches
@Dave – When they come out and say ‘well what if the virus hits before our season?'” Aren’t those the same people that haven’t figured out that the virus is *still* hitting us and won’t let up anytime soon? I’m with you about the NHL’s scratched collection of 33s, 45s and 78s. They all belong at the New Disco Demolition Night, coming to a barn near you! I just wish that they’d figure out how to get back to reasonable financial health without the stupidity…
@Mac – next you’re going to be down on 8 track and cassette tapes too! :p
@Gbear – What do you mean, down to? I’m still using cassettes! The 8-tracks are LONG-gone! (I made it look like an accident!) :)
always thought if all rounds finish early they should move the schedule up… but it would be especially prudent this year.
Here’s a thought: reduce the 20/21 season down to about 64 games or so. If fan attendence is still not allowed by the start of next season, gate revenue won’t be an issue anyway.
At some point, unless they want to be playing into August every year, they’re going to have to reset one of their seasons. 20/21 makes the most sense.