The NHL Board of Governors will hold a conference call on Monday afternoon, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun.
Dreger fills in many of the details:
- Financial issues are going to be the primary focus.
- Expanding upon that, there’s the potential for escrow to be discussed.
- Covering various aspects of the CBA, likely in tandem with the NHLPA, will be part of the primary agenda.
Dreger notes that “everyone is deep in the process of contingency financial planning.”
During a recent Insider Trading, Dreger estimated that the NHL could lose between $500 million and $1 billion depending upon how this goes.
NHL teams face challenging juggling act
In case those dollar amounts didn’t make it clear, the NHL faces a steep challenge.
It would be enough of a challenge merely to figure out how to set up a postseason, if that happened. But it’s not just about that. Bill Daly noted that the league is emphasizing keeping a full, 82-game 2020-21 season in any resumption plans.
The above financial concerns don’t just potentially put a dent in wallets. Depending upon how owners can work things out with the CBA, NHLPA, and other factors, the salary cap could be significantly affected.
And, again, even the more nuts-and-bolts stuff is tricky. If the season isn’t as much paused as it is powered off, how do you handle the draft lottery?
Monday’s afternoon meeting almost certainly won’t be able to check all of those boxes. Even so, there’s a decent chance that the NHL’s Board of Governors might find some answers, or at least get the ball rolling/puck moving.
MORE:
- NHL pushes back possible return to around May, maybe later.
- NHL players told to self-isolate through March.
- AHL also says it will pause through at least May.
- ECHL among leagues that canceled 2019-20 season.
- QMJHL follows suit.
- IIHF 2020 World Championship canceled as well.
- Uncertainty awaits as NHL puts season on ice — for now.
- How grassroots hockey has been affected by COVID-19.
- Where the NHL left off with 2019-20 season in limbo.
- Looking at shortened and postponed NHL seasons.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.