Report: NHLPA expected to pass Return to Play and update on fate of June NHL Draft

Updated:

The NHLPA are currently voting on the 24 Team Playoff format which includes the top 12 teams from each conference. Details broken by Elliotte Friedman noted the bottom 8 in each conference will play a best of 5 series to trim it down to the traditional 16. Official details are expected later today or this weekend.

Excitement All Around

Last night, I spoke to a team executive about the vote and was told “it’s going to happen.” Of course agreeing to the format is just step one and more needs to be discussed and agreed to.

This information was confirmed 2 hours later by hockey’s top insider Bob McKenzie. He reported that the head of the NHLPA already had the votes to pass it.

NHL DRAFT

In conversations with the team executive I asked what is the latest on conducting the NHL draft in June. “It will be in September,” the source said and that lines up with all the latest information. McKenzie recently stated a June draft was “on life support” which makes even more sense now that this vote is taking place.

NYR COLLECTIBLES – USE CODE FOREVERBLUE10

Rangers to “Storm” into the Playoffs

When this is approved either today or tomorrow, that means the Rangers will face-off against the Hurricanes in an opening best of 5. A team the Blueshirts went 4-0 against during the season and absolutely dominated them 17 Goals For to 9 Goals Against. Henrik Lundqvist backstopped the first three wins against Carolina this season with Igor Shesterkin getting the last one in February.

For more on this matchup, check out this feature from yesterday.

FANATICS: GET THE NYR GEAR YOU WANT

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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