The NHL and NHLPA have officially reached a memorandum of understanding on an expanded collective bargaining agreement and return-to-play plan. Pending ratification from the NHLPA’s full membership, the qualifying round of the NHL’s 24-team postseason tournament is expected to begin on August 1, meaning the Minnesota Wild will be playing meaningful hockey again in less than a month.
Before the Wild can begin their best-of-five play-in series against the Vancouver Canucks, though, some key personnel decisions will need to be made. As part of the return-to-play plan, each participating club can bring a maximum of 52 people to their “bubble” during the tournament.