Yzerman optimistic NHL will form strong plan for 2020-21 season

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman strongly believes the NHL and players' association will establish a successful plan for the 2020-21 campaign.

"I'm very optimistic," Yzerman said earlier this week, according to the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James. "I'm hopeful. I don't really have any control over it. The league can only control so much, as well.

"I think the players' association and the league, the cooperation from both sides has been fantastic. It's my understanding they're working together now to put a plan in place."

The 2019-20 season ended Sept. 28 after being delayed multiple months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly reiterated last week that the league is targeting a Jan. 1 start for the 2020-21 campaign.

As of Friday, the NHL-NHLPA return-to-play committee apparently hadn't yet met to discuss next season despite the date being less than two months away.

Yzerman says the biggest hurdle facing the league is the border restrictions between Canada and the United States.

"Ultimately, we're restricted by international governments - the Canada-US border - local, state governments," Yzerman said. "Right now, it looks like we'll be able to come up with some kind of plan, but I don't know specifically what that is."

Yzerman will be hoping the Red Wings can take the next step in their rebuild in 2020-21 after finishing dead last in the NHL for the first time since 1985-86.

Copyright (C) 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.