NHL Start Could Come New Year’s Day for 2021

Prior to the start of the NHL Entry Draft, commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the NHL is looking to start next season on Jan. 1. In the release Bettman reiterated his desire to play a full 82-game schedule plus playoffs with fans in the stands. But he did admit that “there are a lot of things that have to transpire, many of which if not most of which are beyond our control before we can finalize our plans.”

The start date for NHL training camps has yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.

The NHL had previously targeted December 1 for a potential start date, but did say that date could be pushed back. The league has previously announced its off-season training protocol.