Detroit — The Red Wings' regular season is done and they can now prepare for the draft lottery.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced Tuesday the league will return sometime after July to a 24-team playoff format — the top 12 teams from each of the Eastern and Western conferences playing in two hub cities that are yet to be determined.
Bettman set no exact dates for a return.
The NHL paused its season March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.