“The intensity will be high” – TVA Sports

It is done. The confirmation that players, owners and fans had been waiting for a few days was announced mid-afternoon on Sunday, after a virtual meeting bringing together the governors of the 31 teams. The NHL kicks off its 56-game schedule on January 13.

“It feels good to hear. We didn’t know what to expect since the end of the playoffs. A lot of ground had been covered in recent weeks, but there was no guarantee that we would start playing again, ”said Pierre-Luc Dubois, reached on the phone by the author of these lines.

Due to the complexity of travel between Canada and the United States, the bonzes of the Bettman Circuit had no choice but to create a division made up strictly of the seven Canadian teams. It was therefore necessary to reorganize the four sections and give them temporary names (North, East, Central and West). Let’s say we’ll come back for originality.

In addition, all the teams will play their 56 games within their own division. That means eight games against the same formation (since there are only seven, teams in the North Division will even face each other on nine or ten occasions).

Rivalries

Those who hate redundancy will find the season long. Conversely, those fond of rivalry risk being served. Some will remember the 1980s, when the Canadiens faced the Nordiques and Bruins on eight occasions?

“It will create rivalries that would never have existed otherwise. And it will accentuate those that already exist. I think the fans will come out the winners because the dynamics will be different, ”agreed the Columbus Blue Jackets forward.

“On our side, we will now have Tampa Bay in our division. We’ve been up against them in the playoffs for two years. Playing eight times against them will be the equivalent of a third series in three years. The intensity will be high, ”he added as an example.

Over the next few days, the NHL and NHLPA will unveil the return protocol, one that will oversee the safety and health of players. A first informative meeting with the 31 formations will be held on this subject on Monday.

With or without spectators

Last summer the NHL was flawless. No cases of COVID-19 had been reported during the two-month playoff tournament. Except this time the bubble option was left out. The intention of the decision-makers of the circuit is to present the matches in its 31 amphitheatres. Even if it means doing it, initially, behind closed doors.

“From one state to another, it’s different. In Florida, for example, it will be allowed to accommodate spectators. In Ohio, as in Quebec, there are different levels. Currently, in Columbus, we are at the purple level. This is the highest level. So there will be no supporters, at least for the first few weeks, ”Dubois explained.

The difference with the summer of 2020 is that the cases of infection are exponentially higher in the population. And this, everywhere on the planet. Dubois does not hide that there will be a certain fear.

“This will be the case until we have been vaccinated. It’s not the kind of thing we’re going to think about during the game. On the other hand, it will definitely cross our minds when we travel, admitted the 22-year-old striker. But I’m sure the league will do everything to make sure we’re safe. ”

Draft in Montreal?

Obviously, there are still a few details to be worked out, such as the schedule itself. However, it has been confirmed that the season will end on May 8 and that the Stanley Cup will be postponed to mid-July, following a traditional playoff format (4 rounds of playoffs 4 of 7).

The draft will be held on July 23 and 24, two days after the expansion draft. Will it take place in Montreal?

“It’s too early to know,” said Paul Wilson, vice-president of communications for the Canadiens, in an exchange of messages.

Speaking of the Habs, it was impossible to get reactions from the players, members of the management or even Geoff Molson. It should be done over the next few days.

Oh! By the way, the NHL has indicated that the plan is to return to a normal schedule for the 2021-2022 season, with a start to the season starting in October.

Normality is what we all hope for.

The sections

North

Montréal

Ottawa

Toronto

Winnipeg

Edmonton

Calgary

Vancouver

East

Boston

Buffalo

New Jersey

Islanders NY

Rangers NY

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Washington

Central

Caroline

Columbus

Chicago

Detroit

Nashville

Dallas

Florida

Tampa Bay

Where is

Minnesota

St. Louis

Colorado

Arizona

Anaheim

The Angels

San Jose

Las Vegas

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