NHL, players agree to resume season on August 1

Hockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season — and with it, an assurance of labor peace through September 2026.

Games are scheduled to begin August 1 in Toronto and in Edmonton, Alberta, with coronavirus cases in the U.S.

The return-to-play plan, tentatively approved by the NHL and NHL Players' Association on Monday, was ratified by the league's board of governors and with majority approval from players following a three-day voting period, ending Friday.

"This agreement is a meaningful step forward for the players and owners, and for our game, in a difficult and uncertain time," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said.

The 12 Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and the 12 West teams in Edmonton, with home-rink advantages for the Maple Leafs and Oilers conceded in a nod to television preferences.

The top four teams in each conference — Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia in the East, and St.

The preliminary round will feature 52 games played through the first nine days before teams will get a break on Aug.

The league has reported 35 players testing positive since that point, though the hope is that number will hit zero once teams are scheduled to travel to their respective hubs on July 26.

"That's good for the fan, that's good for the TV audience, that's good for the players, it's good for everybody."