With COVID-19 vaccinations being rolled out across North America, and the NHL transitioning into its offseason, league executives and general managers recently met to lay the framework for the 2021-22 season.
The plan is to operate with a full, 82-game schedule, the four regularly-aligned divisions (Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central, and Pacific), and traditional start and end dates for the season.
From NHL.com:
The NHL is hoping and planning for a 2021-22 season with a full 82-game schedule and fully vaccinated players returning to pre-COVID-19 conditions.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly on Monday briefed general managers on the guidelines for next season and a variety of other topics in a video conference called by senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell.