Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

NHL Wants 82-Game Season, But Other Scheduling Scenarios Possible

Alberta’s Lake Louise has been discussed internally as a possible location for opening dayGETTY IMAGES

The NHL is "turning its attention to next season," with a tentative start date of Jan. 1, "going full throttle to prepare" for a launch on that date, according to Mark Zwolinski of the TORONTO STAR. The league is "canvassing teams on COVID protocols, the possibility of limited live crowds in certain cities, and the availability of hotel rooms close to arenas." It is believed that "several schedule options have been presented" to the NHLPA for discussion: 48 games, 60 games and a full 82-game slate. The NHLPA will have a "player committee review all scenarios as the off-season progresses," but at the outset, the league and players "agree on one thing: that the schedule should include as many games as possible." A "crucial element," no matter how many games they play, is "whether fans will be in the stands." Meanwhile, an industry source said that Alberta’s Lake Louise "has been discussed internally as a possible location for opening day." A Lake Louise outdoor game "would face several hurdles, starting with the state of the COVID-19 pandemic when play resumes." It also is a "popular destination even in troubled times, which could make booking hotels in the area around Christmastime a challenge" (TORONTO STAR, 10/10).

DOUBTS ABOUT 82 GAMES: In N.Y., Larry Brooks notes the league is "talking about having a full 82-game schedule," but "just about everyone in the industry is expecting a season of between 60 and 68 games that will begin later than the target date." The NHL has been "nothing but flexible in its response to the pandemic," and the league and the NHLPA "should maintain that approach" regarding '21-22 (N.Y. POST, 10/11). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont notes NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman opened the draft Tuesday by "saying the league was targeting Jan. 1 as opening day," and in May, Bettman was "steadfast with his belief that his league would stage an 82-game season." If so, that means the end of the regular season "would be approximately mid-July, with a Stanley Cup wrap by mid-September." Logic "speaks more to the 60-game schedule that the league adopted in the years immediately following World War II" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/11).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: April 25, 2024

Motor City's big weekend; Kevin Warren's big bet; Bill Belichick's big makeover and the WNBA's big week continues

TNT’s Stan Van Gundy, ESPN’s Tim Reed, NBA Playoffs and NFL Draft

On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with TNT’s Stan Van Gundy as he breaks down the NBA Playoffs from the booth. Later in the show, we hear from ESPN’s VP of Programming and Acquisitions Tim Reed as the NFL Draft gets set to kick off on Thursday night in Motown. SBJ’s Tom Friend also joins the show to share his insights into NBA viewership trends.

SBJ I Factor: Molly Mazzolini

SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/10/12/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NHL.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2020/10/12/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NHL.aspx

CLOSE