DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined the K&C Masterpiece on Thursday following the Stars Game 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Stars and Lightning are the final two teams in the NHL's bubble in Edmonton, and there has been some speculation that the NHL might need to create another one to begin the 2020-2021 season with COVID-19 still prevalent across the United States and Canada. Bettman was asked about the challenges they are facing and what it will take to start the season.
"Things are very fluid right now. We don't know what the extent in particular areas Covid-19 will be. We have issues in crossing the border between Canada and the U.S. right now. There's a fair amount of uncertainty, but I think it's pretty clear that for an entire regular season you couldn't put all of the players and team personnel in a bubble," Bettman said. "If we're not able to play in our own buildings in front of fans (we're going to have to) figure out what is the right scenario to move forward on, much like this return to play. We'll consider all the options. Do all the homework , and make sure we have the agility and flexibility to implement whatever we think is the most sensible at the time."
Bettman went on to say that the biggest hurdle facing the league is the fact that the Canadian border remains open to only essential personnel. Despite that, he believes the league will be able to play a full season.
"I am optimistic that we will play a full season next season ... have the playoffs. It's just a question of the time-table and how exactly we do it."
So, when will the season start?
"We've said repeatedly that Dec. 1 was a notional date, but I think it will be later than that. Maybe late December, maybe January. That's going to depend on knowing a lot of things that most people don't know now. "