NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to announce the league’s format for a return late Tuesday afternoon.
According to multiple reports, Bettman will announce at 4:30 EST that the league has decided on a 24-team format for its return during the coronavirus pandemic. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
This is the same format that had started circulating a few days back.
From the NHL: “National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman will make an announcement today at 4:30 p.m. ET regarding the Return to Play Plan for the 2019-20 NHL season.”
So this is to announce the 24-team format agreement the NHL/NHLPA have signed off on.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 26, 2020
Again, let me repeat myself, the format is just the first step. So many more hurdles to overcome, more negotiations needed between NHL/NHLPA over hub cities, testing, protocols… the format is just Step 1. No guarantee yet the 2019-20 season is completed despite best intentions
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 26, 2020
#NHL commissioner Gary Bettman expected to formally unveil the league’s 24-team return to play format this afternoon at 4:30pm, followed by a media availability at 6pm.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 26, 2020
Gary Bettman to make a formal announcement about 2019-20 season at 4:30 p.m.
Expected to formally announce 24-team return to play format.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) May 26, 2020
As I always say about these updates, things are incredibly fluid, and anything could change at this point in time.
Having said that, this is a gigantic update for the NHL. With this announcement, they’ll become the first major pro league to map out its return for team sports.
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The UFC is already back, but the NHL would be the first team sport that suspended competition to return.
I have no doubt there are a ton of details to still iron out, but this is incredible news. I couldn’t be happier right now if I tried.
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Bettman should be applauded for leading the way. I can’t wait to see what this 24-team format looks like. It’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun!