NHL players approve 24-team playoff format; many questions remain

We are another step closer to hockey returning. Multiple reports are confirming that the National Hockey League Players Association has approved the 24-team playoff format presented by the league Return to Play Committee. However, there are still many things to be decided before players hit the ice again.

"The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup. Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.," said the NHLPA in a statement.

Essentially, both sides have agreed to keep talking to work out the details.

"...the NHLPA has agreed to the format itself even though there are other important issues and elements to negotiate. The NHL now will go through its own process and I would expect some form of announcement within the next few days," explained TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Twitter.

The NHLPA's main concern remains the safety of players amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to ensure everyone involved remains safe, daily testing will be needed. It also remains to be seen how different hockey will be when it returns. Will scrums still be allowed? Celebrations involving teammates after a goal? With the absence of a crowd, will the league and TV networks agree to keep live microphones away from the playing area? Hopefully, we'll find out more in the next few days.

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