Perhaps the NHL will have a 2020-21 season?

NHL fans and observers (okay, and bloggers...but I doubly repeat myself) continue to be at a standstill as we await what the league might have in store for the 2020-21 season. Technically, official league language continues to target Jan. 1 as a start date (but it’s more like Jan. 13), though that would require some quick and significant maneuvering amid a worsening pandemic.

• But at least the parties have agreed to some things (like sticking to the CBA agreed to in the summer) and are discussing things like protocols and roster sizes.
• They will acknowledge the long-known secret that temporary realignment would be involved, to solve for that whole “the U.S.-Canada border isn’t open” issue. [NHL]
• ...and they are “taking our time” to figure it all out. [NHL]
• But it sounds like a general “economic framework” has finally been agreed to between the league and the NHLPA. [TSN | Sportsnet]
• If you’re an Insider subscriber, here’s the ESPN take on those plans. [ESPN+]

Non-CBA/Schedule News

• Barry Trotz discusses the Islanders: “It’s building something so we can be a threat every year.” [Sportsnaut]
• Prospect Report: Bear with us, man, it’s a pandemic and there’s not a lot going on. [Isles]
• Definite fun exercise: “Reverse Retro” trades, five recent trades that look a lot different now than on the day they were made. Guilty, I am. [Sportsnet]
• Philippe “don’t call me Tyler” Myers extends with Philadelphia for three years. [NHL]
• Former Islanders would-be legend (but for He Who Shall Not Be Named) Roberto Luongo has finally found his post-playing career role, as head of Florida’s “Goaltending Excellence Department.” That’s next to toys and a couple of aisles over from appliances. [TSN | NHL]
• I’m not sure if they thought they could pull off the WJC without coronavirus disruption, but...Sweden has multiple positive cases including its head coach. [NHL]