The NHL GM meetings began yesterday and the league announced that is targeting an October 12th start date for the beginning of the 2021-22 season, according to multiple reports.
The NHL on the GMs' call today shared its hopeful target date for puck drop next fall: Oct. 12.
Which is about a week or so later than normal.
Training camps hopefully opening Sept. 22.
Again, that Oct. 12 start date is if there are no delays. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 21, 2021
The league is hoping to return to a normal schedule for the 2021-22 season, 82 games with fans in attendance and all the fixings. Even though the end of the 2021 season schedule has had modifications to it in recent weeks, the end of the postseason is still on track to conclude in early-July, just about two-to-three weeks later than it usually would. The dates are tentative and still need to be approved by the NHL Players Association before they’re formalized, but this should get the ball rolling. Or the puck. Whatever.
October 12th is about a week behind when the NHL usually starts their regular seasons, so the evening out of time should work for the league and allow every team enough time for recovery and preparation for the 2021-22 regular season.