A potpourri of topics. The latest on the negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA with the possible start date slightly more than a month away. Dylan Garand makes Canada's WJC team. Hartford potentially to play the same four opponents the entire season.
TSN Insider's on latest with negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA: The hope is that we will have a vote next week, but longer the negotiations take, the less likely January 13 is the start date. With team's needing to report, especially the seven who did not make the playoffs last year, who are to open camps a few deals earlier than the other 24, each day becomes critical to allow the proper protocols for COVID testing ahead of the reporting dates.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss...
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 10, 2020
- NHL/NHLPA expecting votes next week
- Why some are skeptical of mid-Jan. start
- Season may start with hybrid hubs
- No trade restrictions between 🇺🇸 & 🇨🇦 teams
- Coaches may be wearing masks
WATCH ðŸŒ: https://t.co/Pkl6jOny94 pic.twitter.com/7OW8TQLuli
Elliotte Friedman on the league potentially selling ads on helmets to generate revenue: Two key aspects from the column: 1) hub cities still a possibility 2) who might make the playoffs per division. Personally, I disagree with the top four in each division making the playoffs. But if you want to limit travel and make at least the first two "rounds" of the playoffs somewhat centralized, this approach works. But I would have the top-two in each division make it and then the next best four from the conference, then seed 1-8 for the playoffs.
COVID controls everything, but target dates are Dec. 31 for 2020 non-playoff teams to report; Jan. 3 for those who did make it. There is also a contingency plan for “hubs… if necessary. Potential sites include Columbus, Newark and Vegas in the US; Edmonton and Toronto in Canada.The expectation is that the top four teams in each division will make the playoffs. Personal thought: would it make sense, for this year only, to choose the Stanley Cup semifinal matchups based on travel distance? There’s some precedent. When the NHL re-aligned to the current divisions, it considered re-seeding the final four. That didn’t happen, partially because of an East Coast/West Coast semifinal. Teams didn’t want that travel until the last round.
The NHL is investigating selling ads on players' helmets, according to @FriedgeHNIC.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 10, 2020
Details ⬇ï¸https://t.co/t0JWWWMawl
Dylan Garand named to Team Canada's World Junior Championships squad:. Garand could contend for a starting role between the pipes. Gauthier might be his main competition for that honor.
Who better to share the good news than their #1 fans?
— #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) December 10, 2020
Welcome to Team Canada, welcome to the #WorldJuniors Taylor Gauthier, Dylan Garand and Devon Levi. pic.twitter.com/M1g6DG3icM
Hartford's potential opponents this season:. Could you imagine only playing the same four opponents for the season? The line of "familiarity breeds contempt" comes to mind.
Interesting developments here regarding the #AHL front.
— Ricky Milliner (@Milliner06) December 10, 2020
Hartford would be playing Bridgeport (NYI), Springfield (STL), Providence (BOS), & Charlotte (FL) only next season.
More to come. https://t.co/jGmxOZ1u7u