Lippsman

Yeah well......decided to give everyone lots of stuff to talk about before next week

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/30571316/nhl-2021-season-update-schedule-divisions-playoff-format-covid-protocols-more

The NHL says it will announce the names of players who test positive for COVID-19 during the season, doing away with the "unfit to play" designation the league used during its summer bubble tournament.

Following a COVID-19 diagnosis, players must follow isolation guidelines consistent with their local public health regulations. Players must be cleared by a cardiologist and team physician before returning to the ice.

Teammates identified as close contacts won't be required to quarantine -- as long as they personally test negative and remain asymptomatic.

Among other changes for this season: Coaches will be required to wear face masks on the bench, and team practices will not be open to the public.

The biggest adjustments involve the league's travel policy. The NHL temporarily realigned to four divisions -- including a group of the seven Canadian teams -- to help minimize travel. The entire regular season will consist solely of divisional play.

There will be one hotel designated in each NHL city where road teams will stay. Players will each get their own room (no more road roommates), and housekeepers are not allowed to enter rooms during the stay. In addition, all members of the team's traveling party are banned from dining at restaurants, going into shops or using transportation that is not directly provided by the team; all meals will be served at the team hotel.

NHL teams will be required to reserve two additional hotel rooms for each stay, with a checkout date after the team is scheduled to depart, to host any member of the traveling party who might need to stay behind to quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test.

The NHL and NHLPA's protocols are as comprehensive as they are specific. Players are asked not to carpool to the rink, and it is recommended that they not touch buttons in elevators.

@BooBunny

 Hey there, it's a complete crap shoot.  Personally I will be mostly watching

Merry Christmas to you and your family

Starting in 2021, a player's skate will not have to be in contact with the blue line to be considered onside.

The "plane" designation means players will no longer have to drag their skates along the ice as they cross into their attacking zone, and it could help reduce coach's challenges. Last season, there were 75 coach's challenges for offside, with 56 overturned, per Scouting the Refs.

The new language for Rule 83.1 reads: "A player is onside when either of his skates are in contact with the blue line, or on his own side of the line, at the instant the puck completely crosses the leading edge of the blue line."

Yes there will be advertisements on helmets this season to recoup some money.   The Devils, Preds and Caps will be the 1st ones. Nothing on the jerseys this year....so far.......

Time to get things going

I look hard at the L10 games and even harder at L5 games. Who is the hot goaltender in net ?  How are the PP and PK's doing in the L10 or 5.  Some teams just has the others number, history does repeat it's self.

But this season is another crapshoot, any trends and stats you hang your hat on will pretty much be out the door

Ah, I may of left a team out. Preds I think are in the Central

Some tidbits for everyone, per Greg Wyshynski

Average NHL team value fell 2% to 653 million. 1st decline since 2001. Revenue for the league was 4.4 billion during the 2019-20 season, 14% less then pervious year. Operating income was 250 million, down 68%. That's why owners are not that fond of having a season this year.

Lets talk top 5 valuable teams

1.Rangers 1.65 billion
2. Leafs 1.5 billion
3. Habs 1.34 billion
4. Hawks 1.1 billion
5. B's 1 billion

They accounted for about 25% of the leagues revenue.  Without them the league would of lost 50 million.

@GASportsDoc

 The NHL is also looking at a bailout for the owners, but not 30 million

Ok, an update.....Looks like the season is starting Jan 13th, with 56 games being played

GA......Looks like Division Canada

East..B's, Buffalo, Canes, Devils, Isles, Rangers, Caps, Philly

Central...Hawks, Jackets, Wings, Panthers, Pens, Blues, TB

West....Ducks, Yotes, Avs, Stars, Kings, Wild, Sharks, Vegas

@LaffyTaffy

 They will make very little if any money

@Ju_lie

 Quite welcome, can't wait for pucks again

Looking to resume play mid January. Teams in Canada will have their own division.  That should make most fans in Canada and purist quite happy. Looking at around a 50-62 game schedule. Most likely will be a division realignment and multiple hubs to play in.  California will be off limits for sure.

The salary cap should stay at 81.5 million.  The money split is 50-50 for players and owners. Most likely there will be no fans so that will impact the bottom line for sure. 

Now the backroom stuff, most of the owners don't want to play the season. It would be fine with them to scrap everything, I don't see that happening though but I understand it. 

He was the 1st goaltender to score with an actual shot on goal

@BeeRAD

 Considering things were locked down it wasn't much of a parade

Great to see you around also, will be here more.

@SuckmyRick

 Glad it helped

@Macwestie1

 Oh yeah, still kicking.