News Article: 2020 - 2021 NHL, 56 games, Jan.13th target date.

[FMichael]

Way things are going, no way there's going to be any NHL hockey 20/21 season. Honestly, it'd be irresponsible if they did.

From what I understand the BoG would potentially have greater financial issues down the road with US networks when it comes time for negotiations...Contractual obligations is why the league is looking at a shortened season.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

...and there's another one, from today:

Are We Getting to a Point Where We Should Consider Shutting All Hockey Down for '20-21?

 

[Henkka]

...and there's another one, from today:

Are We Getting to a Point Where We Should Consider Shutting All Hockey Down for '20-21?

Playing hockey has been least infecting thing in Finland.

No corona virus has started spreading from hockey games. It has been players or team members getting it on their free time. Then it has infected some team players. Attendance has been corona free when everybody is wearing masks.

 

[kliq]

Playing hockey has been least infecting thing in Finland.

No corona virus has started spreading from hockey games. It has been players or team members getting it on their free time. Then it has infected some team players. Attendance has been corona free when everybody is wearing masks.

This very well may be true, but how can you even determine if a player got the virus on the ice or after the game?

 

[Henkka]

This very well may be true, but how can you even determine if a player got the virus on the ice or after the game?

There has been some cases where non-infected teams faced players with a virus. And it didn't spread to other team. That hasn't happened yet. It comes from elsewhere.

What I was wondering, when visiting games live, was public transport and the people in arena. Was thinking that if it comes from somewhere it's either of those. But both are proved to be non-infecting places, was more surprised about the public transport. Nothing has started from public transport, or from hockey games.

All spreadings have been starting from some other places, like from drunken people in a tight small bar. It will need that one idiot, who is sick, and still goes in the bar to infect others. Mostly (like 99,999%) of sick/infected people understand to stay home.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Now the QMJHL shuts down til Jan...

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/qmjhl-postpones-games-until-january-covid-19-1.5822705

AHL-never started
NHL-initially said Dec. 1st, then mid/late Dec., now Jan 1st is a maybe, with talk of possible Feb start.

Stop this madness.

What other leagues (any Pro/Collegiate level) worldwide are shutdown, and/or never started?

Didn't the SHL take a 2 weeks break iirc?

 

[Slapper]

Liiga will be next to be shut down with 95% certainty.

 

[Henkka]

Liiga will be next to be shut down with 95% certainty.

For 3 weeks.

The whole country will make a harder shut-down before Christmas, so Christmas wouldn't the corona spreading "tool", when everybody will be meeting their relatives criss-cross the country.

They will complete the Liiga season for sure. We are getting the vaccine and inoculations starting at January.

 

[ricky0034]

Now the QMJHL shuts down til Jan...

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/qmjhl-postpones-games-until-january-covid-19-1.5822705

AHL-never started
NHL-initially said Dec. 1st, then mid/late Dec., now Jan 1st is a maybe, with talk of possible Feb start.

Stop this madness.

What other leagues (any Pro/Collegiate level) worldwide are shutdown, and/or never started?

Didn't the SHL take a 2 weeks break iirc?

the DEL over in Germany has yet to start as well(apparently the current plan is December 17th now?)

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Report: Four Teams Exploring Playing All Home Games Outdoors - NHL Rumors - NHLTradeRumors.Me

Report: Four Teams Exploring Playing All Home Games Outdoors

Shug McSween Thursday, December 03, 2020 NHL

"Imagine the Winter Classic every time your favorite team plays a home game?
Well, according to a report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, four NHL teams are exploring playing all of their home games outside.

I'm not sure it's possible; the odds are against it -- but four NHL teams are looking into the possibility of playing their home games outdoors. Can't fault anyone for considering their options: Four NHL teams exploring possibility of playing outdoor home games
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 3, 2020​

According to the report, the teams are the Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings, Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
This ALL comes down to money, and the teams are wondering if they can host more fans outside than inside and have the facilities to accommodate, why not go with this approach instead. There's been rumblings every team will lose roughly $50-75 million if they play a season with no or limited fans in attendance, meanwhile each team will only lose roughly $15 million if the season gets cancelled.
Friedman also reports:

The other major issue would be approval from players and opponents. Apparently, a survey completed by all 31 teams indicated several would not be thrilled with the idea of switching between indoor and outdoor venues during the season.

That said, I can’t fault these four teams from researching the idea, attempting to maximize revenue in a league so dependent on gate revenue. If ever there was a season to try something, this is it.​

This has to be one of the most interesting times the NHL has ever seen. Stay tuned, it's getting more weird by the day."

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Yesterday I read that each team would lose ~$150M if a complte shutdown (God forbid) transpired...I wanna say the source was DobberHockey iirc.

Contrary to the $15m figure posted above. I like the idea of outdoor games as a supplement & should be further explored.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Four NHL teams exploring possibility of playing outdoor home games

Sportsnet.ca, a reliable source...

 

[Konnan511]

The NHL Players’ Association’s lawyers are investigating whether to file an unfair labour practice complaint with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or pursue a grievance with an arbitrator if the NHL decides to cancel the upcoming season, two people familiar with the matter told TSN.
If the league decides against playing the 2020-21 season, a complaint to either the NLRB or an arbitrator would be the process the NHLPA would follow to try to get players paid.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

Based on E.Friedman tweet below...


Report: NHL/NHLPA Closing in on an Agreement - NHL Rumors - NHLTradeRumors.Me

"Report: NHL/NHLPA Closing in on an Agreement

Shug McSween Friday, December 04, 2020 NHL

Ladies and gentlemen, Christmas could come early this year. While there's been nothing but negative vibes around the ongoing discussions between the NHL and the NHLPA, Sportsnet's hockey insider dropped a golden nugget!

This tweet raised eyebrows yesterday...Reason: hearing that NHL/NHLPA engaged in recent days about a Jan 15 start, with training camps opening approximately two weeks earlier. Number of games would be in the 50s. We will see where this goes over the next few days. https://t.co/pRwAXiE0QX
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 4, 2020
​

Here We Go!

What to Expect?

• A 52 or 56 game season
• An All-Canadian Division
• More outdoor games
• Some fans in certain markets being able to attend immediately
• Lots of fans to be in attendance for playoff time
• Less in-season trades because of $$$
• The remaining free-agents to struggle to get contracts

Don't expect the owners to apologize for wanting more money back and don't expect the players to budge off their current stance.
However, it looks like we can expect hockey in January!!!
"

 

[Konnan511]

Sources: NHL, union clear hurdle, eye Jan. 13

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

I'm just glad we're in the home stretch (hopefully). Also glad the 7 non-playoff teams can go to camp Dec 28th-Jan 3rd.

I'm cautiously optimistic, but if the NBA can deliver a Dec 22nd start date (last time I checked), then the NHL should be good to go too. If anything the NBA will serve as a guinea pig for the NHL.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

 

[Stony Curtis]

I know it'd never happen, but it'd be sweet if the Wings could play one outdoor game at Clark Park. Maybe bring in some temporary bleachers or something.

 

[TheMule93]

freaking awesome news

 

[Henkka]

Time to lock the topic or change the title.

 

[lhsgolf19]

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

per Pierre LeBrun
"
Bos-Buf-NJ-NYI-NYR-Pha-Pgh-Was

Car-CBJ-Det-Chi-Fla-Min-Nas-TB

Ana-Ari-Col-Dal-LA-SJ-STL-VGK

All-Canadian teams
"

Maybe we won't be beaten so brutally in the Central. Here's how I see it:

TB
<-----------(huge gap)
CAR/NSH
-------------
CBJ
FLA
DET
CHI (their D & G's almost guarantee they'll pick top 5)
MIN (Marcus Johansson is their "#1C", Ek/Bonino/Rask...none are even 2C's)

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

per Pierre LeBrun
"
Bos-Buf-NJ-NYI-NYR-Pha-Pgh-Was

Car-CBJ-Det-Chi-Fla-Min-Nas-TB

Ana-Ari-Col-Dal-LA-SJ-STL-VGK

All-Canadian teams
"

Maybe we won't be beaten so brutally in the Central. Here's how I see it:

TB
<-----------(huge gap)
CAR/NSH
-------------
CBJ
FLA
DET
CHI (their D & G's almost guarantee they'll pick top 5)
MIN (Marcus Johansson is their "#1C", Ek/Bonino/Rask...none are even 2C's)

Well, that means we're likely the 5th or 6th worst team in the league next season. We'll get gifted another 9th overall pick.

The good news is that when Montreal finishes at the bottom of their division and we can watch Habs fans on these boards slowly deflate during the course of the season.

 

[Frk It]

per Pierre LeBrun
"
Bos-Buf-NJ-NYI-NYR-Pha-Pgh-Was

Car-CBJ-Det-Chi-Fla-Min-Nas-TB

Ana-Ari-Col-Dal-LA-SJ-STL-VGK

All-Canadian teams
"

Maybe we won't be beaten so brutally in the Central. Here's how I see it:

TB
<-----------(huge gap)
CAR/NSH
-------------
CBJ
FLA
DET
CHI (their D & G's almost guarantee they'll pick top 5)
MIN (Marcus Johansson is their "#1C", Ek/Bonino/Rask...none are even 2C's)

We will be at the bottom with Minny. Will be fun to play Chicago again, though.

 

[Ghost of Ethan Hunt]

We will be at the bottom with Minny. Will be fun to play Chicago again, though.

If the NHL decides to do the 24 team "playoff" format to recover revenue, we have a very slim chance to be #24, but it could happen...lots would have to go right for us, while the bottom 7 would need to collectively struggle.

I'm not pro-tank, but I'd rather finish bottom 3 to get that 1OA (finally)...the Hockey Gods owe us, or Bettman does.