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The day is here. AHL teams will declare their intentions for the 2020-21 season. I'll be here throughout the day as I gather information.
#AHL https://twitter.com/pwilliamsNHL/status/1340107294160416768
#AHL https://twitter.com/pwilliamsNHL/status/1340107294160416768
For people who are trying to catch up on the #AHL situation, I've prepared some bullet points:
--Projected start date: Friday, February 5
--The season will have a 24-game minimum for teams with the option to add on more games if desired.
--Projected start date: Friday, February 5
--The season will have a 24-game minimum for teams with the option to add on more games if desired.
--A playoff format is still to be determined.
--Of the 31 teams, 19 are NHL-owned, and 12 are independently owned.
--Expect some clubs to use training facilities; at least one club is expected to use its NHL parent team's training facility.
--Some dual affiliations are likely.
--Of the 31 teams, 19 are NHL-owned, and 12 are independently owned.
--Expect some clubs to use training facilities; at least one club is expected to use its NHL parent team's training facility.
--Some dual affiliations are likely.
--Here is a full running thread of this story's various plot twists: https://twitter.com/pwilliamsNHL/status/1341121849325961222
Here is more reading for how we got here, and what players are thinking:
Around the AHL | The NHL's top developmental league fights to save its season
https://eprinkside.com/2020/12/24/around-the-ahl-the-nhls-top-developmental-league-fights-to-save-its-season
Around the AHL | The AHL continues to construct a season https://eprinkside.com/2020/12/31/around-the-ahl-the-ahl-continues-to-construct-a-season
Around the AHL | The NHL's top developmental league fights to save its season
https://eprinkside.com/2020/12/24/around-the-ahl-the-nhls-top-developmental-league-fights-to-save-its-season
Around the AHL | The AHL continues to construct a season https://eprinkside.com/2020/12/31/around-the-ahl-the-ahl-continues-to-construct-a-season
For those who prefer audio, here is the Around The A Podcast ( @AroundTheAPod) that I co-host with @FootyOnTheAir.
Larry Landon, Executive Director of the Professional Hockey Players' Association https://sportspodcastingnetwork.com/2020/12/23/around-the-a-podcast-offseason-update-with-larry-landon-of-the-of-the-professional-hockey-players-association/
Larry Landon, Executive Director of the Professional Hockey Players' Association https://sportspodcastingnetwork.com/2020/12/23/around-the-a-podcast-offseason-update-with-larry-landon-of-the-of-the-professional-hockey-players-association/
Why does all of this matter?
Well, along with fans in 31 AHL markets, NHL general managers have really been pushing hard for an AHL season.
My colleague @TonyAndrock had this quote below. https://twitter.com/pwilliamsNHL/status/1345558898388983811
Well, along with fans in 31 AHL markets, NHL general managers have really been pushing hard for an AHL season.
My colleague @TonyAndrock had this quote below. https://twitter.com/pwilliamsNHL/status/1345558898388983811
To answer the most common question, "Will some teams sit out?"
Yes, it looks like at least a handful will sit out this season.
Yes, it looks like at least a handful will sit out this season.
I have accounted for 19 teams so far that plan to play this season.
To give an example of the variation in schedule, some teams will go far beyond the 24-game minimum all the way to somewhere around 40 games.