Here is what the deal between the NHL and NHLPA includes for the 2020-21 season

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have reached an agreement on the 2020-21 season pending respective votes by each side. According to the information provided by several insiders, including Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun and Frank Seravalli, here is what seem to be resolved and included in that tentative deal. This is all pending NHL Board of  Governors and NHLPA board voting.

• - A schedule of 56 games, starting on the projected date of January 13th
• 23-man roster with $81.5 million salary cap.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

• Players have the option to opt-out for the upcoming season, if player or immediate family member is considered high-risk. (Believe it is without pay.) Team would have option of tolling contract for the year.
• No proration of salaries.
• No exhibition games.
• Calls for training camps to open on Jan. 3 and regular season on Jan. 13. The 7 teams who did not make 24-team playoff can open camp on Dec. 30.
  All dates subject to change. Scheduling not finalized.
•  The NHLPA is expected to start voting tonight (Friday night).
• NHL plans to schedule a Board of Governors call/vote sometime this weekend.
• Canadian NHL team issue over health protocols with provinces still not resolved, but hope is to resolve it by Monday. If Canadian provincial health authorities don’t sign off on protocols to play, the options appears to be a hub in Edmonton or relocation to American cities. 

Earlier this week, it had been reported that the NHL may be forced to move its Canadian teams down to the U.S. if it can’t come to agreements with provincial health authorities between now and the planned league start date of Jan 13th, 2021. In order to limit travel within the country, thereby getting around Canadian and American border restrictions, this plan requires the approval of health authorities from five different provinces, something that has been difficult to attain. The COVID-19 situations in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia are vastly different and changing seemingly everyday. This has made it extremely difficult for the league to negotiate its protocols. Randip Janda of Sportsnet reported earlier today that the NHL has reached out to the Public Health Agency of Canada to facilitate a meeting with provincial health officers to present their Canadian division plan again.  We still await the responses from health officers. 

This is all great news! Come on, baby. Puck drop in less than a month!