If the NHL season is to start on Jan. 19, a number of tight deadlines will need to be met.
The players’ union will reportedly finalize voting on the new CBA by Saturday, Jan. 12, according to Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press.
The timing of that vote will likely push the start of training camps to Sunday (Jan. 13), a day later than many sources had speculated they would begin.
If all that goes according to plan, the season will “barely” be able to begin on Jan. 19 -- and it’ll be a 48-game schedule, according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
“It depends on ratification timeline for PA,” Daly told the Canadian Press via email. “But it’s looking more and more like 48 games is going to be the only option.”
The NHL’s Board of Governors is expected to meet in New York on Wednesday to cast its vote on the CBA.
There’s no official schedule for the NHLPA to vote, but it’s believed the union wants to take its time reviewing the agreement, hence the Saturday deadline.
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