Next season start date: Jan 1?

[butch]

up to ''4 teams'' considering multiple outdoor games according to lebrun .

I mean if it gets them fans into the seats because its ''outdoors''

[SeaDawg]

I guess the NHL owners have less incentive to have a season than the other major leagues (MLB, Football, Basketball) because the owners will probably save money if the season is canceled. If they have games without fans in the seats, and rely solely on television revenue, while still paying players top dollar, the owners will lose money. Bad news for hockey fans. Fact is many teams barely survive even with fans in the audience paying ridiculously-high prices for tickets, on top of over-priced parking and concessions.

[lucafen4]

some owners are pushing for more outdoor games so they can have fans in attendance.

I'd be curious to know whether having 5 000 fans for an outdoor game would actually make the team vs. 0 fans indoors.
The added cost of the outdoor game would crush revenues i would think.

I can't see the league eating the costs of regular outdoor games

[butch]

man , covid is out of control. I’m getting discouraged

[Call of Doughty]

Alan Walsh on Montreal radio gave us a 99.999% chance that hockey will resume this year. His date has always been early to mid-February.

[tweetdrivr]

Per LeBrun...

https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/st...69620126343174

As per NHL and NHLPA talks last night, 52-game and 56-game both on the table but sources say both the league and NHLPA would prefer 56 games if time allows. Remember that they want to end Cup final in early July.
Again, nothing is done yet. Economic issues remain

.

[Daydream Nation]

I can make it to a mid-January start especially if they can pull off the World Juniors.

[butch]

56 games would be perfect for the U.S divisions to have 8 games verses each opponent . If they plan on doing it baseball style then you'd simply have islanders at devils for an entire week -- 4 games total then later in the season devils at the islanders for the second 4 game series over the span of a week . Rinse and repeat for all U.S based teams .

the canadian division only has 7 teams so someones getting lucky and facing a weaker team more often than a stronger team . i.e , I'm sure you might prefer playing team X instead of team Y to help your playoff chances.

[pmorrow]

So there's a chance they dont get a deal done by Friday as was hoped, so the start date might get pushed back from Jan 13th. But it still does sound like theyre close and there arent many serious disagreements, theyre just trying to get the details ironed out. Could be partly the uncertainty of playing in certain cities with covid restrictions. But, multiple insiders saying the deal is hopefully done over the weekend and a Jan 16 start or a few days later could be the date.

Also there's talk about hybrid bubbles/hubs, especially in Canada.

- insiders were Friedman and Seravalli

[tweetdrivr]

Great update. Thanks man!

[butch]

https://twitter.com/sbjsbd/status/13...851363334?s=20

ads on helmets

#BREAKING: Sources say the #NHL Board of Governors could approve helmet ads for the '20-21 season as early as today, adding that it is "likely" the measure is approved in today's BOG call (@markjburns88)

[hockeyrobot]

https://twitter.com/sbjsbd/status/13...851363334?s=20

ads on helmets

#BREAKING: Sources say the #NHL Board of Governors could approve helmet ads for the '20-21 season as early as today, adding that it is "likely" the measure is approved in today's BOG call (@markjburns88)

And so it begins.

[Call of Doughty]

And so it begins.

Yup, can't wait until the Habs logo is used to promote Hyundai products.....

[pmorrow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuSA...nnel=SPORTSNET

More on the possibility of sending Cdn teams to the US for the season.

[Pengwin7]

^That seems to be ramping up... and when it gets leaked, it suggests it may be done.

It makes sense:
1. Toronto/Edmonton got lots of hockey... so Canada can be said to have gotten "their share of the hosting".
2. Travel restrictions & numbers - does separating 7 & 24 teams really work?
3. Canadian team "cancel out". There are 6 playoff-level teams in Canada... so an overly heavy Canada-schedule probably eliminates 3 from whatever "playoff qualifiers" are set. Even CDN orgs would want to avoid losses from tough-scheduling.
4. Family-time. I'd have to imagine that a "displaced family" would prefer a warmer climate for a long-term situ. (Although the highest % of hockey players are from Canada - it also means they have a likely support network of extended family if they choose to stay in Canada and not take a living arrangement in a US-bubble).
5. Jan20th. The good 'ol USA might seem/feel like a more friendly place come this date. I think this will ease player/family perceptions of being "forced" to be within the US.


What I'd imagine is that there still WILL be a Canadian division.
They'll play their full 4-team each slate (perhaps 24gp) or so right off the bat... get them well beyond Jan20th...
And then (my prediction) the NHL may shift all the Canadian teams (**with or without their families, to be decided by each player**) over to US bubble-cities.

Alternatively, the travel bans may possibly be lifted soon after Jan20.
Or possibly vaccine supply may be available for NHL-world by a certain forecasted date for cross-border travel.
We.shall.see.