3 to 5 NHL teams forced to file for bankruptcy, would be better off not playing the season

The National Hockey League might be putting together a plan to start the season on January, 1st, however the New York Post has found out that their setup might be fatal to a few clubs. 

Many details have been reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated the league is exploring the idea of temporary realignment in 2020-21, with an all-Canadian division in the mix. The league is now working closely with its Players’ Association in order to get a plan together for temporary hubs where teams would play a fixed number of games in the same location and then return home for a period of time before resuming action. On top of that, they need to agree on a number of contests to play throughout the calendar as a reduction from the usual 82-game schedule is on the table as well. 

This could hurt teams with financial issues as Larry Brooks explains some could be forced to file for bankruptcy. 

“As a result, NHL players agreed to defer 10 percent of their 2020-21 salaries with escrow capped at 20 pearcent. That equates to a guarantee of 72 percent of face value.

Sources report that between three-to-five owners have claimed they would be unable to survive under these circumstances and would be better off not playing the season. We’re told that the league on Thursday brought up the possibility of proposing an additional deferral of pay to the players association rather than pressing prorating.”

This is huge news for the NHL, who won’t want to put teams in jeopardy during such uncertain times. What impact will this have on the decision for the 2021 season? 

This has to be the worst case scenario…