Breaking down all the latest news, rumors, reports surrounding 2020-21 NHL season

Let’s fill you in on everything you need to know about the 2020-21 NHL season.

After weeks and weeks of speculation, it appears as though we will finally get a 2020-21 NHL season a couple of weeks into the New Year.

Per multiple reports and still waiting on an official announcement from the National Hockey League, the new season is expected to start on Jan. 13, 2021 and will feature a shortened 56-game schedule.

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Given the continued chaos being caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and reports of a dispute between the NHL and the NHLPA, a 56-game schedule is probably better than what we realistically could have hoped for and the return of hockey can’t come soon enough.

There is still a plethora of logistical points to thrash out, however, with where teams are going to play, Division Realignment and any potential changes to the Stanley Cup Playoffs all still to be revealed.

Granted, there have been a boatload of reports concerning all of the above over the last few weeks, making for a constant stream of information overload.

Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to try and round together everything you could possibly need and want to know about the 2020-21 NHL season in one handy place.

So, without further ado, let’s delve right in shall we…

Overall Roundup

Let’s start by presenting a general overview of the current state of play in regards to the 2020-21 NHL season.

Firstly, it appears certain that the NHL will start the 2020-21 season on Jan. 13, 2021 with a 56-game regular season schedule.

Multiple reports have all stated that the above is true and it seems only a matter of time until we are hit with an official announcement.

It comes following grim reports that disagreements between the NHL and the NHLPA over proposed changes to the CBA, which was only signed, sealed and delivered back in the summer, threatened to derail the 2020-21 season and cause a potential lockout.

However, both parties agreed to put their differences aside in order to make a season happen in 2020-21, and that will now be the main focus going forward with any financial issues put aside for now.

Of course, there is still a boatload of issues to sort out and a swathe of kinks to be ironed out, but we’re heading in the right direction and it does feel as though we are finally on the cusp of the NHL being back.

Which is incredibly good news and a hell of an early holiday gift.

So, with the 2020-21 season slated to begin on Jan. 13, 2021, it is likely that Training Camps will open on Jan. 1 with players who have been abroad starting to make their way back to the United States already in preparation to get back to work.

There’s no word yet on whether or not teams will play a preseason schedule but, if they do, it is likely to only be one or two games, while those seven teams who were not involved in the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs could also be allowed to start Training Camp slightly earlier in order to blow off the mass of cobwebs they have amassed since the 2019-20 regular season was halted in March.

Also, we have no idea how the NHL will approach Opening Night on Jan. 13, 2021, but a full schedule of games would certainly provide a mouthwatering feast of hockey for those fans who have been starved of their favorite sport over the last few months.

That’s basically the crux of where we stand with the 2020-21 NHL season right now, so let’s delve into some wider issues…