NHL's goal remains the same following board of governors conference call

The NHL's Board of Governors met Monday via conference call, the first time they've gotten together for an official discussion since league play was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts were reporting that the expected main topic of discussion would be financials following the lost revenue involved in the NHL stoppage, TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun said while there were some preliminary discussions on financial issues, no decisions have been made.

LeBrun quotes an unnamed source as saying the conference call mostly featured a presentation and Q&A with an infectious disease expert. As for how the NHL feels about about an all-out cancellation of the 2019-20 season, including the playoffs, the goal remains the same, to salvage something and to award the Stanley Cup.

Lebrun writes: "The question most governors want to know is what the league is thinking as far as a potential timeline for a season resumption. But the reality is that the NHL can't answer that now. The league told governors Monday on the call that there is no set plan yet. It remains too early for that.

However, the league, as sources reiterated Monday, has investigated scenarios for all kinds of possibilities. The NHL continues to work on different format/schedule scenarios trying to prepare for all possible contingencies.

LeBrun adds: "For now, that's the NHL's goal, to salvage a season at some point in time even if it means late summer hockey."

League Commissioner Gary Bettman has been clear that the NHL will do whatever it can to at least hold a playoffs for this season. Whether that will involve 16, 20 or 24 teams is not clear at this time. What is clear is that time will be the determining factor involved in whether those playoffs take place. The league has also stated that it does not want to jeopardize the 2020-21 season in any way. Extending play into late summer could certainly impact next season, with training camps slated to get underway in September.

As for what the draft will look like, how free agency might be handled and whether there might be some decision on trades that were made at the deadline, there is nothing to report. The NHL seems intent on taking its time and getting it as right as possible. Of course, there will be no way to please everyone and that includes owners, general managers, players and fans alike.

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