According to Jacob Stoller of Inside AHL Hockey, new details have emerged regarding the upcoming season. As was announced last week, the AHL board of governors announced plans to go ahead with the 2020-21 season, and a target start date of February 5th.

Stoller is reporting that the AHL will have five divisions, the only one known thus far will be the all-Canadian division which will feature: the Laval Rocket (MTL), Toronto Marlies (TOR), Belleville Senators (OTT), and Manitoba Moose (WPG).

The all-Canadian division will reportedly play 36 games, while the four other divisions will play a minimum of 24 games.

A playoff format for the 2020-21 season has not been announced as of yet, but likely will in the coming weeks as the AHL finalizes its return-to-play plans.

Stoller also mentions that he expects to see a second wave of free agency signings to fill out AHL rosters as there is plenty of depth players remaining on the free agent market.

Last week, it was also reported that the four Canadian-based AHL teams could play in their parent clubs arena for the upcoming season. The Jets already share an arena with the Manitoba Moose, but if this happens, Laval will play at the Bell Centre, Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, and Belleville at the Canadian Tire Centre.

One other big issue that the AHL will have to address is the three other Canadian NHL teams (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver) because their affiliates are located south of the border. Calgary's plays in Stockton, California, Edmonton's in Bakersfield, California, and Vancouver's in Utica, New York. Travelers crossing the border from the United States into Canada are still subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine, so the AHL will likely have to seek some sort of exemption for players that get called up to the Flames, Oilers, and Canucks.

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