Game on! New York Rangers hockey is coming!
The 2021 season for the NHL and the New York Rangers is set to go
The NHL and the NHLPA announced that they have come to an agreement on the Return to Play for the 2021 season. It means that the New York Rangers will play a 56 game season that will start on January 13. While the two sides have reached an agreeement, it is pending votes of approval from the NHL Board of Governors and the NHL Players Association. Word is that the NHLPA will approve tonight while the owners will vote on Sunday or Monday.
Quote from NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly:
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 19, 2020
``We have a tentative Agreement with the Players’ Association on plans for the 2020/21 NHL Season. The agreement is subject to approval by both of our respective constituencies.''
Here’s what we know so far.
- The season will be 56 games.
- The season will start on Wednesday, January 13.
- If the NHL can get approval from the Canadian government, there will be four divisions including one made up solely of Canadian teams.
- The top four teams in each division will have a playoff to produce a team that will play in the Stanley Cup Semifinal.
- Training camps for the Rangers will open on January 3.
- The seven non-playoff teams will open training camp on December 31.
- The idea of playing in hub cities in each division is still being discussed and will be determined by local pandemic regulations.
- Roster limits will be 23 players with a salary cap ceiling of $81.5 million.
- Teams will be allowed to carry a 4-6 man taxi squad that will travel with the team and earn their AHL salaries.
- Emergency recall rules have been relaxed to allow more flexibility.
- Players will have the option to opt out of playing this season.
All of this information has been coming through tweets from sources like Pierre LeBrun and Frank Seravelli of TSN and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
#NHL/#NHLPA Agreement: 23-man roster with $81.5 million salary cap.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2020
This includes creation of 4-6 man taxi squad. All 29 players (max) will travel and practice with NHL team. Taxi squad is paid full AHL salary. CBA has been expanded to include for more flexible emergency recalls
There had been reports that the NHL was looking to highlight the return of the NHL with some showcase rivalry games with a match-up between the Rangers a Bruins a possibility.
More information will be revealed soon and the entire return to play protocol will be unveiled once there is a positive vote by both sides. There are still many, many COVID-19 related issues including the possibility of using hub cities and whether Canadian teams will even be allowed to play in Canada.
Stay tuned.