On Sunday, the NHL’s Board of Governors confirmed the news that had broke late Friday, they had come to an agreement with the NHLPA on a plan to return to action for a Covid-shortened 2021 season.
The 56-game spring begins on January 13th with an anticipated end date of May 8th. The playoffs return to a 16-team format with four teams from each of the re-aligned divisions making it to the postseason. If all goes smoothly than the Stanley Cup will be awarded no later than July 15th.
Some other important dates to know for the upcoming season:
Trade Deadline: April 12th
Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken: July 21st
NHL Draft: July 23rd-24th
Start of Free Agency: July 28th
Should world events allow the NHL to maintain this schedule then that puts them back on stride to begin the 2021-22 season on time.