The 2020-21 season was always going to be a weird one for the NHL. Covid-19 not only shortened the previous season, but it also pushed back the post-season making the regular start to the season all but impossible. And even if the players were willing to forgo the rest and recovery time and start in October there were still plenty of questions about the logistics.
Initially, the NHL said that they would be looking to complete a full 82-game season. That seemed less and less likely as time moved on. Yesterday, Elliotte Friedman tweeted out that the NHL and the NHLPA have reached a tentative deal for a 56-game season, which has since been confirmed.