A far cry from the standings at Thanksgiving serving as a barometer of which teams are most likely to make the playoffs, the NHL heads into the U.S. holiday without a firm plan announced for next season.

The league and players are running out of time to start the season Jan. 1 as previously planned, with various pandemic-related problems standing in the way. There is uncertainty on many fronts.

B次元官网网址淭he landscape is B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of unknowns associated with where weB次元官网网址檙e going in the immediate future,B次元官网网址� Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Monday. B次元官网网址淗opefully things, with all the positive news associated with vaccines and a hopeful climate that could potentially exist that we get back on track. But we have some ground to cover.B次元官网网址�

Some of the groundwork is already in place. Realignment featuring an all-Canadian division and regional play in the U.S. appears likely and should push the thorny issue of cross-border travel back to the playoffs. The NHL and NHL PlayersB次元官网网址� Association also agreed to a long-term extension of the collective bargaining agreement last summer to get hockey through the pandemic.

But with virus cases surging across North America and the prospect of an even bigger revenue shortfall than owners originally feared, questions have arisen about amending that agreement, which has put the start of the season in peril.

PLAYER SALARIES

Much like Major League BaseballB次元官网网址檚 struggle to start the 2020 season, itB次元官网网址檚 all about the money. The CBA B次元官网网址� which now runs through 2026 B次元官网网址� ensures a 50/50 split of hockey-related revenue; includes players deferring 10% of their salary for the upcoming season; and puts a cap on how much money will be kept in escrow over the length of the deal.

Less than five months since the CBA agreement, the league has asked players to increase salary deferrals to 20% or 26% and increasing the escrow caps, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side is publicly announcing details of negotiations.

Assuming the season is shorter than a full 82 games, players could balk at taking pro-rated salaries while escrow amounts are increased.

START DATE

The two sides have targeted Jan. 1 to start the season. Some steps need to be taken soon for that to happen.

A training camp of roughly two weeks would need to precede opening night. The later the season starts, the fewer games there might be. There could be as few as 50 or as many as 70-plus games for each team, with the stipulation that the Stanley Cup should probably be awarded before the Summer Olympics open in Tokyo on July 23.

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B次元官网网址淲hat starts with me is: LetB次元官网网址檚 get the season started,B次元官网网址� Nashville general manager David Poile said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 up for however it looks. Whatever the league and the PA think is the best way to get us back playing, whether itB次元官网网址檚 with fans, some fans, no fans, TV being (more) relevant, if you will. Whatever it takes to get this season going and get it in place.B次元官网网址�

REALIGNMENT

A division made up of the seven teams based in Canada B次元官网网址� Montreal,, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver B次元官网网址� makes the most sense given the border with the U.S. is closed to nonessential travel through Dec. 21 and possibly beyond. Bettman said earlier this month the NHL isnB次元官网网址檛 moving those seven teams south of the border B次元官网网址渟o we have to look at alternative ways to play.B次元官网网址�

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If there was one Canadian division, three U.S. divisions to cut down on long-distance travel might look like this, though discussions are ongoing and nothing has been finalized:

B次元官网网址� A division with Arizona, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, Vegas, Colorado, Dallas and either Minnesota or St. Louis.

B次元官网网址� A division with St. Louis or Minnesota, Chicago, Nashville, Detroit, Columbus, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Florida.

B次元官网网址� A division with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington, New Jersey, Boston and all three New York teams.

Playoffs in the same divisions would determine the final four playing for the Stanley Cup.

B次元官网网址淲hatever it looks like, to me, I know itB次元官网网址檒l be well thought out,B次元官网网址� Poile said. B次元官网网址淚 just donB次元官网网址檛 know what itB次元官网网址檚 going to look like right now.B次元官网网址�

VIRUS CONCERNS

Multiple Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Team facilities are open for voluntary workouts with protocols in place, though those teams had to close off-ice areas.

After the NHL constructed tight bubbles for the post-season amid the summer surge, players testing positive B次元官网网址� and how to deal with that like other leagues have B次元官网网址� might be a factor early in 2021.

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Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, The Associated Press

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