It appears that NHL hockey is on the horizon, according to multiple reports:
#NHL/#NHLPA Agreement: 23-man roster with $81.5 million salary cap.
This includes creation of 4-6 man taxi squad. All 29 players (max) will travel and practice with NHL team. Taxi squad is paid full AHL salary. CBA has been expanded to include for more flexible emergency recalls
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2020
Pierre LeBrun adds that dates have been set for training camps:
Training camps scheduled to open Jan. 3 although for the seven non-playoff teams from last summer, Dec. 31.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 19, 2020
That schedule obviously benefits the Red Wings, who finished dead-last in the NHL last season. We figured that these announcements were coming after the Red Wings recalled both Filip Hronek and Filip Zadina earlier this week.
What isn’t entirely clear yet, is the logistics of everything. The pandemic will still be around, so the NHL is going to have to rollout a comprehensive plan to ensure player, staff, and public safety.
Elliotte Friedman is reporting that this would be a 56-game season. That, again, would benefit the Red Wings who are not expected to be a contender. Shorter season means shorter misery… Right?
This is a developing story, we’ll update this article as new information comes
Playoffs will be top four in each division — each division produces a champion for the Stanley Cup Semifinal
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 19, 2020
Sounds like there may be limits on how long a team can keep a player on taxi squad without playing a game.
That will keep it interesting.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2020
