NHL Considering Going to a Jan-July Format Permanently

[Money99]

https://theathletic.com/1850806/2020...ys-new-normal/

Bettman has scoffed at the idea of having a partial-season for 20-21 in order to reset the calendar.
This isn't a surprise. In both of the recent half-lockouts, many US owners have said they'd prefer they start the season in December or January to avoid the NFL.
So everyone get ready for a Stanley Cup final in July or August. Great times!

[Majingir]

NBA has wanted Christmas start, NHL seemed similar.

Sucks to have though because all the Canadian NHL fans really won't like that as much, but we know it's the US which the NHL cares about.

For Jays fans, post ASG is usually depressing time anyways and when people start looking forward to hockey season starting back, even just preseason in September is fun.

Although the more I think about it, if season ends in July, playoffs in September, October/November with no hockey isn't something I'll miss as much. December I'm too busy anyways.

Just wonder how it'll be having hockey across the countries in summer weather. I know in southern cities they're use to it, but I'm sure it'll be an adjustment for places like Toronto, NY amd so on having fans in shorts outside and then the rink inside.

[Fiddy]

I'm all for this change. I'd rather the season start in January!

[Money99]

I'm sure youth hockey would run as usual. But I wonder about the CHL and NCAA?
I doubt they change things. So what about the draft? Like baseball, would drafted players have a chance to playing in the same season they're drafted?

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[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by Money99

I'm sure youth hockey would run as usual. But I wonder about the CHL and NCAA? I doubt they change things. So what about the draft? Like baseball, would drafted players have a chance to playing in the same season they're drafted? Sent from my MAR-LX3A using Operation Sports mobile app

That would be interesting, but maybe they allow draft picks to go to the AHL right away and can join the NHL team starting from the following season?

[Money99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Majingir

That would be interesting, but maybe they allow draft picks to go to the AHL right away and can join the NHL team starting from the following season?

That would be pretty cool for the AHL.
Maybe there's some positives to this.


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[nikethebike]

Hmmmmmmmm....


This will be really interesting especially if the rest of the world keeps the current schedule. Sweden cancelled the entire season. No call ups. No relegations. Just so that the next season should be able to restart normally. Kind of. Hopefully.

[bhurst99]

That idea doesn't make any sense to me if the plan is to do it every year.

The NHL season in 2018-19 started on Oct. 3, 2018 and ended June 12, 2019.

If the season starts in January; it wouldn't end in July. The playoffs would end in September.

That just seems like a really bad idea to run the playoffs during the summer every year. If the choice is between sitting outside watching a baseball game or sitting inside an arena, I know which one I'm going to pick.

I know the US teams hate going against college football and the NFL in October, November and December, but Canadian television networks would hate that open hole in their schedules during the fall and having less eyes inside watching TV during the summer. Summer is prime vacation time.