Physical distancing rules could mean the start of the 2020-21 season is a long way off

While we're starting to get an idea of when and how the NHL plans to finish out the 2019-20 season, there's been very little talk of when the next one will begin at this point. One thing is certain, the chances of it starting in early October, as it has in years past, are slim to none. The league's 24-team playoff format likely won't end until mid-to-late September, when training camps for the new season are set to begin. There's also another big factor that could lead to the start of the new season being delayed for a while; physical distancing rules.

While many states and provinces have, or are getting ready to relax rules that went into effect during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, most will still require people to remain six feet apart at all times, or wear masks when they cannot (usually pertaining to circumstances involving where a person works). It could be a while before we see those physical distancing rules dropped entirely, which is bad news for many NHL teams. While this season is being salvaged in order to recoup lost TV revenue, the fact of the matter is many NHL teams rely on the money they take in at the gate. Anyone who's been to an NHL arena knows seating and aisles leave little room for people to remain six feet apart.

"As already mentioned, the date NHL/NHLPA Protocols to be put into place still TBA....and these are just the next step to get to the summer tournament," said NHL Insider John Shannon on Twitter. "Truly believe, and in talking to many in the NHL world, a 2020-2021 season will not begin until people are sitting in the seats."

According to The Athletic. the average NHL team can take in around $1.3 million per home game during the regular season on tickets alone. Attendance and ticket prices can rise quite a bit come playoff time. This money goes directly to the team and makes up a good portion of the revenue the owners make in a season. Without butts in seats, there will be several owners who won't be taking in anywhere near the revenue their teams usually bring in.

When fans will be allowed back in attendance at NHL arenas across the league is anyone's guess at this point. Rest assured every owner in the NHL is hoping for sooner rather than later.

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