François Gagnon: What will the American divisions look like?

Wednesday, 9 Dec. 2020. 12:06
(Update : Wednesday, 9 Dec. 2020. 13:29)

MONTREAL- Gary Bettman will lead a late afternoon meeting attended by Geoff Molson and the other 30 NHL Governors.

Although no final vote is expected, it seems certain that the commissioner and his right-hand man Bill Daly will scroll through a series of parameters that will frame the season which should begin on January 13. Several other parameters that are still the subject of negotiations with the players will also be discussed.

It is for this reason that several general managers should support the governors who are much more concerned with the financial parameters associated with the next season than with the parameters associated with hockey operations.

We already know that the border closure will confine the seven Canadian clubs in a northern division from which they will not be able to exit before the playoffs.

What will the three American divisions look like?

The League has yet to adopt the final table. But since geographic considerations will be taken into account to absorb operating costs as much as possible, projections are easier to make.

According to reliable information, the League could eventually adopt the following divisions:

• Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey, New York (Islanders), New York (Rangers), Philadelphie, Pittsburgh, Washington.
• Caroline, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Floride, Minnesota, Nashville, Tampa Bay.
• Anaheim, Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose, St.Louis.

With many negotiations underway, the one surrounding the number of players the teams can count on is one of the most important.

Because in a context like the one that prevails at the moment, it is obvious that the teams will have to keep more than 23 players within their formation in order to compensate, not only the injuries that could cascade due to the period of inactivity. preceding the season and possible outbreaks of Covid-19 cases.

This is all very well. And above all necessary. Because it would be perilous not to keep three, or even four, guards within a formation in order to react quickly in the event of outbreaks or injuries. Especially since the Canadian teams whose club-schools evolve in the United States should wait 14 days – taking for granted that the quarantine periods will be maintained – before being able to use a recalled player.

But such a decision will have repercussions on the salary cap and especially its respect.

Already in serious trouble that is already preventing him from reaching the current limit of 23 players available, the Tampa Bay Lightning could greatly benefit from such a measure.

That said, several clubs could oppose a measure that could help the reigning Stanley Cup champions in this way.

“The League is not used to opening the door to ways of getting around the salary cap. We are in abnormal conditions and I can not wait to see the proposals that will be presented, because in a sense all the teams will need additional players, but at the same time we must also respect the teams that have managed their contracts well ” , said an executive reached by RDS.ca Tuesday morning.

Several teams have had to keep less than 23 players in their roster in the past in order to meet the salary cap. Clubs have even “dressed” less than 20 players to meet the ceiling.

However, a measure is already in place to help the clubs thus mortgaged. After having played a game below the limit of 20 players, one or more clubs may call on one or more excluded players in the calculation of the limit. However, these urgently recalled players must receive a salary that does not exceed the minimum wage of more than $ 100,000.

But OK. The League and its 31 teams have a lot of more pressing parameters to adjust.

They must obtain the necessary green lights from Governments and public health authorities to group the players in the locker rooms and on the rinks for training and matches.

They have to take care of the vaccination process. A not easy process considering the fact that it is impossible, or at the very least very difficult, to put young, strong and perfectly healthy players in front of health workers or the elderly or simply more vulnerable.

Note that on this point, authorities could use players – from all sports – to promote vaccination and help alleviate anti-vaccine skepticism.

We’ll see.

One thing is certain, it will be interesting to see the full picture which will be painted today by Gary Bettman as part of a Governors meeting which will mark the start of a sprint leading to the opening of the camps of training from the first days of the next year and the first face-offs filed on January 13.

In a little over a month … If the pandemic allows it!