NHL announces protocol for off-season training

The NHL announced on Thursday its protocol for off-season training ahead of the 2020-21 season, which comes into effect at the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

While dates for the start of training camp and the beginning of the campaign have yet to be set, the off-season training protocol outlines that teams will permitted to reopen training facilities to players for voluntary workouts starting Oct. 15 with a maximum of 12 players allowed on the ice at the same time.

The league says the protocol, which was agreed to by both the NHL and NHL Players Association, is similar to the Phase 2 protocol from the return-to-play plan.

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars will be played on Sept. 30, if necessary. The 2020 virtual draft will follow a week later on Oct. 6, with free agency set to open on Oct. 9.

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