NHL To Permanently Move Regular Season?

Apparently, what fans may witness this season when it comes to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, could be a regular thing. Mike Chambers of the Denver Post writes that sources suggest the NHL is talking about permanently moving the start of the regular season to November, December — or even January.

What happens this year with the playoffs is beyond anyone’s control. What happens next season might be a result of what happens this year. But, moving forward, the NHL could go back to an October season start with the Stanley Cup being awarded in the early summer. They may not do so.

Chambers writes:

The league likes the idea of growing the game after the NFL and NBA seasons are complete and when baseball is traditionally the only major sport in-season. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, that’s the plan to complete the 2019-20 season, and, according to former Avalanche general manager Francois Giguere, the league probably won’t begin the 2020-21 season until 2021 when it is allowed to have fans in attendance.

The @NHL has announced that it will transition to Phase 2 of its Return To Play Plan effective Monday, June 8. https://t.co/Xjk8cfhWyh pic.twitter.com/uT6WEwCBtF

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 5, 2020

In other words, it sounds like the NHL has had their eyes on running unopposed to the NFL and NBA for a while. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, they got their chance to see what the results will be.

If it works out well and the league is super successful running later in the year, the league may not go back to the old ways.

One concern might be the ice conditions later in the summer, but other sources have told Chambers that’s not a factor for most rinks or the NHL. They’ve seen what happens in places like Tampa who played in June or Vegas, who went to the finals in 2018.

What do you think? Would you rather the NHL run later and end later, up against only baseball?

Related: What to Expect From Each Canadian NHL Team Heading Into Phase 2