Gary Bettman has remained consistent through the shutdown in saying that the NHL won't let any plans to restart the 2019-20 season jeopardize a full 2020-21 season.
That doesn't necessarily mean the 2020-21 season has to start on time, though. On an appearance on the NHL Network on Thursday evening, Bettman said that the 2020-21 season could start as late as December.
"We have a great deal of flexibility in terms of when we can start," Bettman said. "There's no magic for next season of starting in October as we traditionally do. If we have to start in November or December, that's something that will be under consideration. We're going to try to make good, prudent, careful judgments. This isn't a race to be first back. When we come back, we want it to be at the right time, for the right reasons, under the right circumstances."
If the NHL were to start the season that late, there are a number of different ways they could condense next season's schedule. Bye weeks could be eliminated, the All-Star Game could be cancelled, and teams could play more back-to-backs. The 2021 playoffs could then also run later into the summer.
Plans are being discussed in weekly meetings of the Return to Play Committee, which is comprised of NHL and NHLPA executives, as well as several active players. Bettman said on Thursday that the committee's talks have been productive.
"Having the committee that's been put together with the players is important so that we can get the feedback on the issues that are important to them and how to resolve them, and that we can be communicating how we're focusing on the things we think that need to be done," Bettman said. "It's been extraordinarily collaborative, constructive and cooperative, and I couldn't be more pleased with the interaction that we're having."
Players and staff are currently still expected to self-quarantine. If the coronavirus situation continues to trend favorably, the next step would be allowing small groups of players to work out in team facilities, as the NBA is planning to do next month.
"We're going to continue to monitor things, and when the guidance from the medical people is right and the governmental authorities are comfortable, then we'll take step one, which is reopening our training facilities," Bettman said.
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