NHL Rumors: 2021 season announcement soon as teams tell players to start reporting in

Anthony Scultore |

Dec 8, 2020

The NHL and NHLPA have made more progress today and it appears news of a 2021 season is imminent. According to several reports we are looking at a 56 game schedule that will start on January 13.

A Board of Governors call is set for tomorrow at 4PM.

The NHL has scheduled a Board of Governors call for Wednesday at 4 pm ET to update clubs on things
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 8, 2020

10 day training camps and no exhibition games

nhl 2021 schedule — Rogers Place RTP (Getty Images)

There was talks that teams who missed out on RTP would be allowed more time, but that doesn’t appear to be likely. Reports are coming that at this late stage we are looking at 10 day camp. This puts a lot of onus on players to have stayed in shape over the last few weeks in preparation for an unknown start date.

Nothing finalized, however, focus in discussions related to NHL training camps has been on 10 day camps with no exhibition games. In the summer, RTP non playoff teams were hoping for a 7 day head-start to 20-21 training camps. 7 days is unlikely at this point.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 8, 2020

Players being told to make their way back

Due to the 14-day quarantine period between the U.S. and Canada, Canadian teams have asked players to make their preparations. This is another sign that things are close to getting underway for a brand new season.

American players on Canadian teams have been told to start to return to Canada to do their 14-day quarantine. Players in Canada already are skating in small groups. Training camp will likely be around a week before Jan 13th. https://t.co/ZvKxIOThRf
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) December 8, 2020