The National Hockey League and players reached a preliminary deal Friday for a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of the board of directors of both parties and Canadian health officials.
The season would start on January 13. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the parties have an agreement pending the approval of several executive councils.
The board of the NHL Players’ Association will meet on Friday evening to discuss the deal, while the league board could soon vote on the plan. Approval from health officials in the five Canadian provinces that have teams is still required before the NHL can continue with the season.
Training camps for the seven teams that did not participate in last season’s postseason bubble would open on December 31, and the remaining 24 teams would start on January 3.
It is unclear whether teams would play in their home arenas or in ‘hub’ cities, although a schedule for all divisions is expected.
The NHL finished in one of two postseason hub cities last season: Edmonton, Alberta, where the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup and defeated the Dallas Stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.