The NHL and the New York Rangers are running out of time to start the season on January 1 as previously planned, with a variety of COVID-19 problems standing in the way. There is uncertainty on many fronts.
With virus cases surging across North America and the reality that there will be a bigger revenue shortfall than owners originally feared, questions have arisen about amending the current CBA agreement, which has put the start of the season in jeopardy.
Hearing that NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman haven't spoken since last Thursday. Which speaks to how the players feel regarding the NHL's salary deferral/escrow asks. Still time to salvage this, however. I think next week is important.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 25, 2020
The NHL is facing similar problems that MLB had to start their season, as the issue is how to deal with finances in the current pandemic. The Associated Press has reported that less than five months since the CBA agreement, the league has asked players to increase salary deferrals to 20% or 26% and increasing the escrow caps. With the current thinking that the season will not include a full slate of 82 games, the season is shorter than a full 82 games, players could balk at taking pro-rated salaries while escrow amounts are increased.
The current CBA ensures a 50/50 split of hockey-related revenue; includes players deferring 10% of their salary for the upcoming season; and puts a cap on how much money will be kept in escrow over the length of the deal.
Speaking of the virus, there has been an increase in reported cases among players, as multiple Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Team facilities are open for voluntary workouts with protocols in place, though those teams had to close off-ice areas.
One thing is fairly certain for next season, which is a temporary realignment of divisions, including an all-Canadian division.
This division makes sense since the border with the U.S. is closed to nonessential travel through Dec. 21 and likely beyond. Bettman was quoted earlier this month saying that the NHL isn’t moving those seven teams south of the border “so we have to look at alternative ways to play.”
Multiple sources have stated that the rest of the NHL will likely play in these divisions:
— New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston.
— A division with Arizona, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, Vegas, Colorado, Dallas, and either Minnesota or St. Louis.
— A division with St. Louis or Minnesota, Chicago, Nashville, Detroit, Columbus, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Florida.
Playoffs in the same divisions would determine the final four playing for the Stanley Cup.
All of this will need to be worked out soon if the league wants to start playing on January 1. The league will need to have a training camp of roughly two weeks would need to happen before opening night. The later the season starts, the fewer games there might be as the general consensus is that the Stanley Cup should probably be awarded before the re-scheduled Summer Olympics open in Tokyo on July 23.