A full 2020-21 NHL season could run later than normal

A full 2020-21 NHL season will happen. When? That’s anybody’s guess.

Hockey fans rejoiced on Friday afternoon after hearing the NHL and players union agreed to terms on their return-to-play plan and new collective bargaining agreement. With the league restarting their 2019-20 on Aug. 1, the next question remaining is when next season will begin.

Commissioner Gary Bettman provided some clarity on that topic on Saturday afternoon. During a conference call with the media, Bettman revealed that the 2020-21 season will be played in full, but stressed it might “run a little later than usual.”

When will next season commence?

While Bettman didn’t provide a specific timeline for the start of next season, ESPN reported earlier this week that the target date set by the league is for Dec. 1. In that same memorandum obtained by ESPN, training camps are expected to take place on Nov. 17.

Setting a specific date is tricky in this current climate. The United States is experiencing spikes in new COVID-19 cases currently, and there’s a chance of a second wave of the virus hitting in the fall. That’s why Bettman isn’t committing to a specific date because the virus makes the timeline, not us.

In regards to the resumption of this season, all 24 eligible teams will begin training camp this upcoming Monday. On July 26, squads will travel to their hub cities. Eastern Conference teams will report to Toronto, while Western Conference organizations will travel to Edmonton.

The Stanley Cup qualifying round begins on Aug. 1, where there will be 5-6 games on daily up until Aug. 10. The Stanley Cup Final is expected to take place on Sept. 20 and will end by Oct. 2, barring it ends in less than seven games.

After the end of the playoffs, the 2020 NHL Draft will occur on Oct. 6.

No matter when the next season starts, fans can take solace in the fact that they’re just a couple of weeks away from playoff hockey.