In a bubble? I can't see that happening. Like baseball and football they will have to trust the players to do the best they can.
- BetweenTheDots

Does Canada still require a 14 day quarantine for people entering the country? If so that throws a wrench into a typical schedule.

I thought I heard the league may re-align into a Canadian division with 7 teams? The remaining 24 USA teams can be split into 3 - 8 team divisions.

Maybe play within the divisions ala MBL. Can get in 40 to 50 games beginning in January with 7 to 8 games against each division opponent, reminiscent of the original 6 days. That should rev up some rivalries. Start the playoffs in early May and be done in mid July.

Playoffs would have to end by around July 23 since NBC, the leagues broadcast partner, will be televising the summer Olympics.

McDavid got him some covid...good thing it is like the flu leg. no long term issues...

Does Canada still require a 14 day quarantine for people entering the country? If so that throws a wrench into a typical schedule.

I thought I heard the league may re-align into a Canadian division with 7 teams? The remaining 24 USA teams can be split into 3 - 8 team divisions.

Maybe play within the divisions ala MBL. Can get in 40 to 50 games beginning in January with 7 to 8 games against each division opponent, reminiscent of the original 6 days. That should rev up some rivalries. Start the playoffs in early May and be done in mid July.

Playoffs would have to end by around July 23 since NBC, the leagues broadcast partner, will be televising the summer Olympics.
- boilermaker100

That is a problem, considering there's less Canadians teams I'm guessing they play at neutral site locations south of the border?

He said himself he came back too soon during the season, but that he was fine during Return-to-Play. Fair enough, but with the cap the way it is and what he has shown thus far (and with Dach presumably passing him up), I'd still just give him a minimum QO, or if someone else wants to sign him as an RFA we at least get comp'd.
- Chunk

I don’t see Strome getting <$3M, I know that most here would like to keep him for about $2M, but I just don’t see it. Hope I’m wrong.

If Johnson waives his NTC once does that mean it no longer exists going forward? If so, then he would be eligible to be claimed in the Seattle expansion draft, right?
- RickJ

I think there was a change to the recently signed CBA regarding this.

The NTC is no longer can be voided when a trade occurs. The player now carries the NTC with his contract wherever he goes. Previously the team had control of the NTC.

Example last year was Maatta. He was traded to the Hawks just prior to his NTC beginning. Hawks decided not to honor it once it kicked in.

As for Johnson, next year I guess he could put Seattle on his no trade list of he desires.

Not Friedman but heard this being discussed on the NHL Network the other day, and that if that ends up being the case, maybe the season ends up resembling what it was in 2013.
- HawkintheD

I would support that.

48 games (+ / -) leading into a tournament that more or less ends on time - leading to a “normalized” 2021-22 season.

Can’t keep running the tournament into August / September continually - have to bite the bullet on games played at some point to get back to normalization.

And next summer is presumably the Olympics - does NBC want hockey interfering with that? Give the Network a normal post-season.

I would support that.

48 games (+ / -) leading into a tournament that more or less ends on time - leading to a “normalized” 2021-22 season.

Can’t keep running the tournament into August / September continually - have to bite the bullet on games played at some point to get back to normalization.

And next summer is presumably the Olympics - does NBC want hockey interfering with that? Give the Network a normal post-season.
- StLBravesFan

I've read a few articles that said the league is doing everything it can to not interfere with the Olympics. I believe they also said that NBC will prioritize that over the NHL, but don't quote me on that.

That is a problem, considering there's less Canadians teams I'm guessing they play at neutral site locations south of the border?
- BetweenTheDots

That can be worked out. Teams don't have to play their opponents an equal number of times.

Canadian Division - 7 teams - Play 4 opponents 9 times (36) and 2 opponents 8 times (16) = 52 games.

USA Division - 8 teams - Play 3 opponents 8 times (24) and 4 opponents 7 teams (28) = 52 games.

Don't ask me how the playoffs would work. Have to get USA teams into Canada and vice versa. Maybe a bubble or two for the playoffs?

Edit - Another thought. With so many games against opponents, back to backs against the same team in the same city on consecutive nights would limit travel.

This year is very different. I still like the "musical chairs" analogy. There will be plenty of free agents signed to decent contracts. But when the music stops there are going to be plenty of players without a chair (contract) and they will be forced to sign contracts at below market prices (well below their initial asking price). I hope that Stan plays hardball with Crow and Strome and still has a little cash leftover in case there is a player to be had at "value/bargain" price. This year, Stan sleeping early in the process, might be a good thing.

This year is very different. I still like the "musical chairs" analogy. There will be plenty of free agents signed to decent contracts. But when the music stops there are going to be plenty of players without a chair (contract) and they will be forced to sign contracts at below market prices (well below their initial asking price). I hope that Stan plays hardball with Crow and Strome and still has a little cash leftover in case there is a player to be had at "value/bargain" price. This year, Stan sleeping early in the process, might be a good thing.
- -Doh-

I would still like to see if Stan can snag either Toronto's and/or Montreal's #1 pick.

Exactly. He has no arbitration rights. As cruel as it is to him, a one year minimum QO is the way I would go. Prove that he deserves to be around longer and he gets a better contract. He was switched to wing for a time (unsuccessfully), and scratched because he couldn't carry his weight this past year. Make the players earn their contracts.
- Chunk

Stan played hardball with Perlini, no reason not to do the same thing with Strome albeit at a somewhat higher number. It's been said the 2nd round draft pick qualifier is $2 1. That is where I would go.

I would still like to see if Stan can snag either Toronto's and/or Montreal's #1 pick.
- LAHawk

What would be going back L.A. to acquire either of those picks. Bowman would have make choice on strome Saad and Murphy if he wants to keep those three or trade them.

Any further word on if Crow is staying or leaving?

I don’t see Strome getting <$3M, I know that most here would like to keep him for about $2M, but I just don’t see it. Hope I’m wrong.
- Angotti

I agree. Like it or not, offense gets paid and even with a bit of a dip in performance last season (0.65ppg vs 0.73ppg in 2018/19) he was still on pace for a 50+ point season and even with his troubles defending, that is going to cost a team at least $3M, and probably more. The extenuating circumstance of the flat cap should reduce his contract somewhat but anything under $3M would be a big win for the Hawks.

What would be going back L.A. to acquire either of those picks. Bowman would have make choice on strome Saad and Murphy if he wants to keep those three or trade them.
- Scott1977

Montreal is desperate for a top 6, so Saad and Mtl's #1 as the main parts, not sure who else would go each way.

Toronto, I would take Anderson (especially if Crow is gone), one year left on his contract and the #1 for future considerations

Canadians buying out Alzner

Elliotte Friedman Retweeted

Renaud Lavoie @renlavoietva

16m

The @CanadiensMTL are buying out Karl Alzner’s contract. He will be placed on unconditional waivers at noon today.

Montreal is desperate for a top 6, so Saad and Mtl's #1 as the main parts, not sure who else would go each way.

Toronto, I would take Anderson (especially if Crow is gone), one year left on his contract and the #1 for future considerations
- LAHawk

LA, if Crow doesn’t come back there are many short term inexpensive goalie options, no need to give up assets for Andersen or any other goalie at this time. Let’s keep building the offense and defense, who knows, maybe somebody steps up and plays decent in goal.

I would still like to see if Stan can snag either Toronto's and/or Montreal's #1 pick.
- LAHawk

My guess is that because of the stagnant cap and choking revenue streams picking up draft picks will be very expensive.

Canadians buying out Alzner
- ikeane

When does the buyout window end?

When does the buyout window end?
- StLBravesFan

The 8th (Thursday)

I don’t see Strome getting <$3M, I know that most here would like to keep him for about $2M, but I just don’t see it. Hope I’m wrong.
- Angotti

Why? He'll take what the Hawks offer him or he won't play.

Wings buy out Abdelkader

CapFriendly @CapFriendly

With 3 years remaining on Abdelkader's contract, a buyout will span 6 years for the #RedWings The c/h buyout breakdown is as follows: 2020-21: $1,805,556 2021-22: $2,305,556 2022-23: $2,305,556 2023-24: $1,055,556 2024-25: $1,055,556 2025-26: $1,055,556

The 8th (Thursday)
- ikeane

So - if the Hawks were going to buy out - say - Toews, or Kane, or Keith (or even Smith) - wouldn’t they have to put them on waivers soon?

Haven’t seen anything yet.

First buyout window closes at 5pm Eastern time Thursday. Zack Smith?

I wonder is James Neal will be bought out. If so would he be a fit with the Hawks (on a reasonably priced short term deal). He could play up and down the line up and on the pp.

So - if the Hawks were going to buy out - say - Toews, or Kane, or Keith (or even Smith) - wouldn’t they have to put them on waivers soon?

Haven’t seen anything yet.
- StLBravesFan

Hypothetically, yes. If I see anything, I will post it