Hammered and clear: this will be the NHL 2021

Of: By Bjurman

Published: Dec 20, 2020 at 10:13 p.m.

Photo: Dirk Shadd / TT NEWS AGENCY

Victor Hedman lifted the Stanley Cup dent in the fall of 2020.

NY. It is now COMPLETELY official.

The NHL returns in January.

Owners and players alike have voted in favor of a plan that includes 56 all-new rounds and divisions, including an all-Canadian one.

– We look forward to starting a new season, especially considering the success of this summer’s finals, says Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Already on Saturday, Sportbladet was able to report that the NHL has presented a definitive plan for the 2020-2021 season.

On Sunday, it was also approved, both by the NHLPA players union and by the owners of all 31 teams.

So on January 13 or so, the puck is released again in the best league in the world.

But as previously stated, it will be a different season. The basic series will be decided in 56 rounds instead of the usual 82, and the teams are divided into completely new divisions, designed to minimize travel across the continent.

As the US-Canada border is still closed due to the pandemic, the seven teams north of the border (Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) will form their own division, called North, and will only play each. .

Three American divisions

The same will work for the three US divisions, which look like this.

✓ THIS: Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington.

✓ CENTRAL: Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Florida, Nashville, Tampa.

✓ WEST: Anaheim, Arizona, Colorado, Los Angeles, Minnesota, San Jose, San Luis, Vegas.

The top four teams in each division will go to the Stanley Cup playoffs after the final round of the regular season on May 8. The winners of each division advance to the semifinals and eventually the Stanley Cup final. The last possible date for a Game 7 in the final is July 15.

“Aware of the challenges”

“We look forward to starting a new season, especially considering the success of this summer’s playoffs,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

– However, we are aware of the challenges we face and we will have a lot of flexibility. Our top priority is and continues to be the health of the players.

The deadline for trades is the afternoon of April 12 and the expansion draft when Seattle Kraken selects players takes place on July 21. Two days later, wait for the regular draft.

Published: Dec 20, 2020 at 10:13 p.m.

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