[ad_1]
The NHL is now aiming for a mid-January start date with a schedule of 52 or 56 games at best, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
The original NHL goal of Jan. 1 has become unachievable due to the time needed for training camp – plus the extra time promised to the seven teams that did not make the playoff field expansion this summer – as well as quarantine protocols in some markets. As of Thursday, NHL players had yet to receive an official directive as to when they are expected to report to their playing cities. Players are currently scattered around their homes off season, many of which are still in Europe.
TSN made a first report in mid-January.
As of Friday morning, there were no meaningful conversations between the NHL and NHLPA regarding potential schedules, formats or protocols. First, the parties must break a financial deadlock: the owners, wanting additional cash flow to kick off the season, have asked players to change their financial arrangement, including deferral of salary beyond the 10% they they had already accepted this summer. The players pushed back on any changes to their financial arrangement, considering they had just signed a new ACB in July. However, sources on the players’ side said the NHLPA would be willing to work with the NHL as long as the owners were willing to give them concessions in return.
Speaking at a Sports Business Journal panel on Wednesday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said planning for the 2020-2021 season remained a fluid situation.
“This is a work in progress influenced in large part by what we are learning from medical experts,” Bettman said, referring to a potential January 1 start date. “COVID is going through a second wave, which could be worse than the first wave, and between Thanksgiving and the aftermath and what they think is going to happen for Christmas and the aftermath, we take our time and make sure we we look to We focus on health and safety and do the right things. “
The NHL is not expected to have a bubble environment for the 2020-2021 season and has shifted its focus to teams playing in the home arenas. However, there would likely be a temporary realignment including an all-Canadian division.
On Wednesday’s SBJ panel, Bettman addressed the economic differences between the league and the players, but insisted the league is not looking to renegotiate the ABC.
“In our deal and in the one we’ve had for over a decade with the players’ association, regardless of the income, the players only get 50%,” said Bettman. “And if we pay them too much and they don’t pay us back in the short term, they have to pay us back over time. There will be stressors on this system, and we’ve had discussions about what are these stresses and how they can be dealt with, but we’re not trying to say, “You have to do X, Y, and Z. We’re trying to find a way to keep working together.”
[ad_2]
Source link