Breaking: NHL and NHLPA reach tentative agreement on new season

Anthony Scultore Updated: Dec 18, 2020

Breaking this evening, hockey fans can pump their fists and cheer. The NHL and NHLPA have reached a tentative agreement to start the regular season on January 13.

Tentative agreement between #NHL and #NHLPA (which requires approval) calls for training camps to open on Jan. 3 and regular season on Jan. 13.

The 7 teams who did not make 24-team playoff can open camp on Dec. 30.

All dates subject to change. Scheduling not finalized.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2020

NHL season to start on January 13

2020-2021 NHL season — Puck sitting on the ice (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

While the dates are subject to change, this is tremendous news and keeps the league on target. Training camps will start on 12/30 for non RTP teams and 1/3 for the rest. No exhibition games will be played.

Rosters will be set at 23 and there will be a 4-6 man taxi squad each team will carry. More “call ups” will be allowed for emergencies. Taxis squad players must be on AHL salaries.

Hearing NHL and NHLPA are getting close to a deal and you have to expect an announcement in the next few days. Season should start January 13 and hearing we will have a Canadian division.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 19, 2020

The NHL will gather the Board of Governors this weekend to vote on the plan. Meanwhile, the NHLPA should begin their vote tonight at 8 PM EST. An official announcement will follow on a 56 game schedule.

Another positive note is that the All-Canadian Division still has a chance to stay in Canada. Health protocols are being worked on but the hope is they can resolve it all by Monday.

Canadian NHL team issue over health protocols with provinces still not resolved, per source. But hope is to resolve it by Monday.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 19, 2020

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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