While sports remain shut down, the NHL appears to be making significant progress toward a return to action.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the NHL and NHLPA have made progress on an agreement for a 24-team format to return to action. The proposed format would not go straight to the playoffs.
The format could still change, as the league has set up a Return To Play committee to sort out these issues. Those negotiations continue, and there is no timetable for their conclusion.
LeBrun reports that not every player wants to return to play this season, but enough do combined with the financial incentives that a return is considered likely.
The NHL had started to sketch out a return plan a month ago. Things are changing quickly, but it certainly seems like something could happen within the next week.
