> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Report: Next season might start this year - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/report-next-nhl-season-might-start-this-year-2021-key-dates-cba-salary-rules/ - Published: 2020-07-08T22:38:32.000Z - Updated: 2020-07-08T22:38:32.000Z - Description: A new, tighter timeline has been leaked from the new CBA. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: This Is How It Works, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:01 With the new CBA and Return to Play plan working through the voting process, new details on the timing for next season have been discovered. It sounds like the summary of the CBA the players are using to vote on has been leaked. > The [#FreeAgentFrenzy](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeAgentFrenzy?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) interview period has now been eliminated under new CBA. Back to old school, scramble on the phone at 12noon ET. > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1280998227987365888?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This exercise in pretending no one was talking salary dollars, when everyone was talking salary dollars, stakeouts of agents offices, and other absurdities has now come to a close. We’ll always have Steven Stamkos’ interview with the mayor and Canadian Tire to remember it by. --- #### Related [Steven Stamkos, John Tory and the Toronto media](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/steven-stamkos-john-tory-and-the-toronto-media/) --- > Qualifying round games will count as part of 2019-20 [#StanleyCup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) playoff statistics. > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281000178162466827?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This means that young players can burn a year of their contract with those games. > [#NHL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) critical date calendar says Oct. 2 is the last possible date for the [#StanleyCup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Final. > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281000923804979200?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) By my reckoning, this means playing through all the rounds of the playoffs without any off days. --- #### Related [Details of NHL broadcast schedule revealed](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/details-of-nhl-broadcast-schedule-revealed-return-to-play-thats-a-lot-of-hockey/) --- And now the big news: > Tentative dates listed in [#NHL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) and [#NHLPA](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLPA?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Memorandum of Understanding: > > 🔔Later of Oct. 9 or 7 days after Cup Final ends is opening of [#FreeAgentFrenzy](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeAgentFrenzy?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > 🔔 Nov. 17: Opening of training camps for 2020-21 > > 🔔 Dec. 1: Opening of 2020-21 regular season > > All subject to change. > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281001969960837121?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This adjustment to the previously reported offseason calendar means a few things. The draft will need to be fit in there rapidly after the Stanley Cup Final, and the whole process of qualifying offers for RFAs is going to be accelerated. There has to be a buyout window in there somewhere, and really, they need two of those. > Tentative date of draft: Oct. 6 > > — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1281001676137209856?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This schedule works if some rounds of the playoffs don’t go full length, and will be tough if they do. > [#NHL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) tentative RTP schedule: > 🔔 July 24: Travel to hubs > 🔔 July 25: Exhibition games > 🔔 July 30: Qualif. round begins > 🔔 Aug. 9: First round of playoffs begins > 🔔 Aug. 23: Second round begins > 🔔 Sept. 6: Conf Finals begin > 🔔 Sept. 20: SCF begins > 🔔 Oct. 2: Last poss. game of SCF > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281005010944475138?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) These dates are already slightly adjusted. Other news: > In addition to increased bonus for players on entry-level contracts, maximum entry-leve contract salaries are going up from current $925,000. > > 2022-23: $950,000 > 2023-24: $950,000 > 2024-25: $975,000 > 2025-26: $975,000 > 2026-27: $1 million > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1280997810138238977?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And while we’re here, the new minimum salary numbers. Please ignore old news on this: > Changes to [#NHL](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) minimum salaries: > 2020-21: $700,000 > 2021-22: $750,000 > 2022-23: $750,000 > 2023-24: $775,000 > 2024-25: $775,000 > 2025-26: $775,000 > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281008574567718912?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > My understanding is that, as of now and obviously subject to change depending on myriad circumstances, the tentative plan or target is to use Edmonton as the Hub city for the Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final. [https://t.co/kJ1ql3qgk5](https://t.co/kJ1ql3qgk5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/1281004393899442178?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The NHL is going to try to be as smart as the AHL: > Scheduling note: Effort will be made in future to minimize travel and have back-to-back games played in the same city wherever possible. E.g. instead of going LAK-SJS-ANA on road trip, effort to go LAK-ANA-SJS. > > — Frank Seravalli (@frank\_seravalli) [July 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/frank%5Fseravalli/status/1281007100206907392?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) My only concern here is that with this tight timeline, TSN won’t have time to trade Marner as many times as they’ll want to. Also, as always, until we have the text of the CBA for full context, get out your salt shakers.