GMs for the seven teams not participating in the NHL's restart recently submitted a collaborative proposal that provides "extra ice time for those not playing right now," according to sources cited by Custance & LeBrun of THE ATHLETIC. It is "expected that those seven teams are requesting at least an additional two-week minicamp added before the start of training camp for the 2020-21 season that is similar to the training camp the other 24 teams received as part of the NHL's return to play in July." The NHL tentatively is scheduled to begin training camp for next season on Nov. 17, which "would mean an early November opening for the other seven teams." This proposal came after "multiple conference calls and collaboration among the general managers of the seven teams as well as consultation with players on those teams." One idea that players "didn't warm up to was having a September minicamp for just the seven teams not playing right now." But sources said that having the additional weeks "tacked on to the current training camp format was something players seemed to like." Players on the seven teams "would also be able to opt out of the additional training camp" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/5).
