The New York Rangers appear to have a target date for when the NHL season is set to begin. Per TSN’s Darren Dreger the National Hockey League will begin the upcoming season on Jan. 13.
Dreger was first to report that there would be “no more discussions on proposed financial changes” with regards to the CBA and increased escrow.
Sources say there will be no more discussions on proposed financial changes to the MOU outlining the terms of the CBA. Sunday the NHLPA proposed more deferred money, but didn’t include an increase in escrow percentage at any point. Focus now on a mid Jan start to season.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 8, 2020
The financial arrangement was the main reason why the NHL and NHLPA were unable to come to an agreement to begin the season earlier this month. There is still plenty of logistics to maneuver through before a schedule can be announced.
As Pierre LeBrun tweeted agreements on protocols, critical dates, opt-out situations, testing and the eventual realignment scenario will all have to be agreed to by both the Board of Governors and the NHLPA executive board.
Both sides targeting Jan. 13 start to season in order to get 56-game sked but even with financials no longer an issue as @DarrenDreger first reported, still some work to be done on protocols, schedule, critical date, etc, plus subject to NHL BOG and NHLPA executive board approval https://t.co/ESSjY94Slt
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 8, 2020
A 56 game schedule is what has been reported, but that will be a work in progress with the ongoing spiking condition of the COVID-19 pandemic currently. Each state has different criteria with regards to quarantine, gatherings, and if fans will be allowed at some capacity.
Sportsnet reported late Monday night that in addition to the Jan. 13 start date, non-playoff teams from last season would begin training camp on Dec. 28 with the rest of the league beginning camp on New Years Day.
Rangers Look To Hit The Ice
The announcement of a start date is a glow of light Rangers fans have looked forward to since the club drafted Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall selection in this year’s NHL draft. The 19- year old is in New York awaiting the start of his first NHL training camp.
Coincidently, the official New York Rangers Twitter account put a video of Lafreniere walking through the team’s training facility taking in the rich history and tradition of the Blueshirts.
There's history on these walls. Soon, you'll be a part of it. @Alexlaff13 | #NYR pic.twitter.com/CyGMbs5ESH
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 7, 2020
In years to come, Lafreniere looks to be a part of this team’s history and tradition. A picture of him lifting the Stanley Cup would look great in Tarrytown, NY.