NHL, players approve plan to resume season, extend CBA
In this Feb. 19, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Wild's Alex Galchenyuk, left, scores against Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom, of Sweden, during the shootout in an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia.[Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP]
Pro hockey’s return is potentially three weeks away, and with it an assurance of labor peace through September 2026.
In separate votes announced Friday, the NHL board of governors and members of the NHL Players’ Association ratified a return-to-play plan slated to have games begin in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, on Aug. 1.
The voting process also included both sides approving a four-year extension to the current collective bargaining agreement which provides the league a comprehensive path out of the economic challenges raised by the new coronavirus pandemic.
The Minnesota Wild play the Vancouver Canucks in a best-of-five series in a playoff qualifying round starting on Sunday, August 2. All of the Western Conference qualifying games will be played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Wild vs Canucks – Qualifying Round Series Schedule (Rogers Place – Edmonton)
- Game 1 – Sunday, August 2 – Time TBD
- Game 2 – Tuesday, August 4 – Time TBD
- Game 3 – Thursday, August 6 – Time TBD
- *Game 4 – Friday, August 7 – Time TBD
- *Game 5 – Sunday, August 9 – Time TBD
(*if neeeded)