For a few weeks now, rumours have been swirling that the NHL was looking to hold its annual entry draft in June, before the 2019-20 season was finished. This, of course, caused quite a bit of confusion as to how it would be handled as teams have not completed the usual 82 game season, nor have they played the same amount of games before the shutdown was implemented. There were also questions surrounding conditional draft picks involved in trades at or near the deadline. Now, a report suggests the NHL is moving away from that idea entirely.

According to Dave Pagnotta, Editor-in-Chief with The 4th period and analyst with Sirius XM NHL, the June draft idea appears to be dead. Here's what he wrote in his latest article:

"Talk around the league suggests the NHL Draft will take place after the Stanley Cup is awarded, which would appear to be in early-to-mid September. Following a mid-to-end-of-September Draft would be free agency throughout October (the new off-season), and training camps would get going in November. There is also talk of starting the 2020-21 season without fans if an antibody or vaccine isn't available, but that's still premature at this point (though, still on everyone's mind)."

Pagnotta also stated that current and pending NHL restricted and unrestricted free agents are seeking out insurance options.

Speaking of free agency, several pending restricted free agents and unrestricted free agents, and even some players with one-year remaining on their current contracts, have been investigating insurance policies against risk of injury. This is certainly a different situation everyone is dealing with, and guys want to be protected, so they are exploring their options, which include a career-ending policy, a long-term injury policy, a loss of value (on their next contract) policy, and more.

TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday that the league's Return to Play Committee, comprised of NHL officials and players, is inching closer to a plan for a resumption of the 2019-20 season, likely with a 24-team playoff format. More details are expected following an NHL Board of Governors call Monday afternoon.

Source: The 4th Period