The 2020-21 NHL season is going to look a little different than usual, with the season expected to be condensed and the uncertainty surrounding fan attendance.
The NHL on Thursday announced the first changes to the season, canceling the All-Star Game and Winter Classic.
“Fan participation, both in arenas and stadiums as well as in the ancillary venues and events that we stage around the Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend, is integral to the success of our signature events,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer in a league statement. “Because of the uncertainty as to when we will be able to welcome our fans back to our games, we felt that the prudent decision at this time was to postpone these celebrations until 2022 when our fans should be able to enjoy and celebrate these tentpole events in-person, as they were always intended. We are also considering several new and creative events that will allow our fans to engage with our games and teams during this upcoming season.”
The Winter Classic was scheduled to be between the Blues and Wild at Target Field in Minneapolis on Jan. 1. The All-Star Game weekend was scheduled to be held Jan. 29-30 at the Panthers' BB&T Center.
The NHL said in its statement that the league is still targeting a Jan. 1 start date for the season.