NHL general managers entered a conference call Friday with a lot of questions.
They left it with very few, if any, real answers.
The GMs were informed that while the league still is targeting Jan. 1 for the start of play, there's no guarantee that will happen because so many variables -- most notably, how the pandemic progresses -- remain in play, and that NHL officials still haven't met with the NHL Players' Association's Return to Play committee to talk about getting next season underway.
The eventual starting date presumably will influence how many games are played in what almost certainly will be a less-than-82-game regular season.
Jim Rutherford could not immediately be reached for comment on the conference call.
Per various reports, the GMs also discussed that:
• The league would like to return with a flourish, such as a game on Lake Louise -- a spectacular setting in the Canadian Rockies -- but that playing on that particular site wouldn't be practical.
• Scouts will not be permitted to attend games at the world junior championships, which will be held in Edmonton. The tournament is scheduled to be conducted in a "bubble," much as the Stanley Cup playoffs were.
• The NHL is open to altering the format of the draft lottery, but wants to receive specific recommendations from the clubs.
• An interview period before the start of free agency could be restored.