NHL working on shortened 60 game season for 2020-21

Usually in September NHL players are starting to report for training camps, but this year we are only about half way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. Covid has greatly impacted this season and now it looks like we may not get a full 82-game season next year.

ESPN is reporting that even though the NHL and NHLPA have tentatively agreed to start the 2020-21 season on December 1st, it is now believed that date will be pushed back to the middle of January 2021. Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported that talk around the league is to have a shortened season of 60-65 games next year. There was talk when the NHL restarted that it may consider starting every season on New Year's Day with the Winter Classic, but that was not well received by league executives. The ESPN report also stated that the NHL hopes to be in front of varying number of fans for next season.

The NHL is no stranger to a shortened season, they have had three shortened seasons because of CBA disputes with the NHLPA. Awarding the Stanley Cup in the Fall is only going to be a one time deal.

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