The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to terms on the start of the 2021 NHL season. Details are coming in quickly, but here’s what we know as of now:
- Training camp for most teams will open on January 3. Training camp for teams that did not make the playoffs will open on December 30.
- The season will begin on January 13 – this is not approved, but looks like it this is the target date. The season will be 56 games.
- Teams will carry a 4-6 player taxi squad. The details of this are not ironed out yet, but it looks like a taxi squad, and not expanded roster. The taxi squad will be paid AHL salaries but practice with the NHL team.
- There will be no preseason games. Players will not prorate their salaries, which is a huge win for the players.
- Players have the option to opt-out. A team would “toll the contract” in that case. I had to Google what that meant. Basically a player that opts out can have his contract paused for the year. He does not lose a year on his contract, but he does not get paid for this season.
- A wild card here is Canada – if the Canadian government doesn’t OK inter-province travel, then the all-Canada division goes up in smoke.
- More details to come on the start of the 2021 NHL season. This is certainly good news, as we may have hockey in just one month’s time.
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