There seems to be a growing sense of optimism that the 2020-21 NHL season actually is going to happen, and that it could get underway as early as Jan. 1.
There's no guarantee things will play out that way -- the ongoing pandemic has a way of changing plans -- but league officials have been putting together a plan for getting the games going.
Indications are that teams likely will be (temporarily) realigned into four divisions, with one consisting of the seven teams based in Canada, and that games might be contested in a number of "hub" cities. Unlike the playoffs earlier this year, the clubs would not enter a "bubble" and stay there indefinitely, but would instead go to their hub city for 10 or 12 days before returning home.
Do you think can the NHL make it work? How many regular-season games will be necessary to make the standings legitimate? And do you think the league should stick with its usual standards for getting into the playoffs, or should the field be expanded the way it was earlier this year?
This is the place to discuss all of that, and anything else to do with hockey. Post your questions and observations in the Comments section, and I will respond over the course of the day.
Thursday: Chris Carter
Saturday: Alex Stumpf