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IT’S OFFICIAL: NHL & NHLPA Ratify RTP, CBA Extension

The two sides came to an agreement Friday afternoon, laying the foundation for resumption and six more years of labor peace before releasing the Playoffs schedule.

By flarwick

Good evening, everyone!

While it was reported as looking likely, the NHL and its Player’s Association have ratified the Return to Play deal that included a six-year extension of the current CBA, albeit with a few changes.

As per the NHL’s PR Twitter account:

We’ll spare you the nitty gritty of the CBA right now (even though we definitely have read it and are familiar with it and know it), but one thing we know for sure is that the NHL is going back to the Winter Olympics in 2022 and 2026 at least. Per Pierre LeBrun:

This news meant the NHL could finally release its proposed schedule for the Playoffs, set to begin on August 1:

@NHL

About That Schedule...

The keenest of observers will notice that the Oilers and Blackhawks schedule is as follows:

  • Game 1 - Aug 1
  • Game 2 - Aug 3
  • Game 3 - Aug 5
  • Game 4 - Aug 7 (if necessary)
  • Game 5 - Aug 8 (if necessary)

That’s right, folks, Game 4 and Game 5 would be back to back. Could you imagine? Back to back games in the playoffs? Madness.

But hockey fans everywhere have to be salivating at the proposed daily schedule across both hubs:

Six (6!!!) hockey games in a 15-hour window. Every day. Get your liquors delivered.

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