NHL plans 82-game schedule next season, Commissioner Bettman says

Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey LeagueBienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockeyДобро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лигиTervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiinVälkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sidaVítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey LeagueVitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey LeagueWillkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey LeagueBienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey LeagueThe NHL is planning for a full 82-game schedule next season and the usual four-round, best-of-7 format in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Commissioner Gary Bettman said Saturday."I anticipate playing a full season next season, 82 games, full playoffs," Commissioner Bettman said. Nobody can tell me whether or not our arenas will be able to have either socially distanced or fully occupied buildings."Video: Bettman on planning for the upcoming season The NHL could start next season without fans in the arenas and then move into a modified attendance with a percentage of the building occupied by fans later in the season before possibly going to full attendance if all restrictions are lifted, Commissioner Bettman said."How we start doesn't necessarily mean that's how we have to finish," he said.The delayed start to next season could impact the 2021 NHL Winter Classic between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues, scheduled for Jan. 1 at Target Field in Minneapolis. We'll make good on it in some fashion if in fact we can't do it as planned."Commissioner Bettman also said he's confident the NHL and its teams will be able to weather the financial stress that has been caused by the inability to have fans in arenas.