NHL will be broadcast in 2021, but will it be broadcast in Canada? (Part 1)
The NHL Athletes Association has agreed on the schedule and knockout stages of 56 games, but there is still much work to be done to convince the Canadian health authorities that this is safe.
Now, the NHL and the NHL Athletes Association have reached an agreement on the 56-game season starting on January 3. They are now facing the daunting task of selling their vision the 2020-21 Canadian Public Health Officer Award. This may be more difficult.
A source close to the situation told TheHockeyNews.com that the NHL and NHLPA plan to contact officials from Public Health Canada and medical staff in British Columbia on Saturday, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, they will try to find something in common so that the seven Canadian teams of the Championship can travel and play together without having to fall into a bubble environment or force them to play games in the United States.
That may be difficult sales. Today, the number of people across the country is increasing, and more and more health officials are considering stricter lock-in measures. Public health officials may worry about bending regulations. The rules for players and NHL teams when players and everyone stay at home. It is believed that some provinces still prefer bubbles, which will not be sold to players.
Another possible solution is that in central cities, teams can play games together without being restricted by bubbles. Ideally, NHL expects the team to travel freely within Canada to complete the schedule.
At the same time, this is a busy time for the game, and the players who have reached an agreement over the past few weeks have agreed to return. Although the plan they agreed on Friday night still depends on the player’s vote and the Federal Council’s decision, it is certain that both sides are looking at the plan positively.