Boston Bruins rumors: A 2021 season isn’t guaranteed

With every passing day it seems less and less likely that the Boston Bruins and the rest of the NHL take the ice in 2021.

The 2019-20 NHL season can only be looked at as a success. In the middle of a global pandemic, the NHL was still able to award the Stanley Cup in a fair manner. The 2020-21 season though should have Boston Bruins fans and all fans of the game worried.

After the success of the bubble format, it was unknown what the next season would look like. When would it start? Would there be another bubble? Will fans be allowed to attend?

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Now the big question seems to be will there be a season at all?

In the early stages of planning for the upcoming season, January 1st was a targeted start date. That seems impossible with it being less than a month away at the moment.

Then there’s the fact that the NHL owners might not be the most enthusiastic about playing without fans once again. Compared to other sports leagues, they depend a lot on gate revenue.

It has been reported that owners could lose $150 million if they play the upcoming season without fans. Also, it has been reported that owners will use a force majeure to essentially lock players out.

If one is just looking at it from an economic viewpoint, it makes no sense to play in 2021. Without fans, the NHL will continue to leak money. The NHL might have to start putting sponsorships on jerseys like the NBA if fans continue to not be allowed in stadiums.

Also by not playing in 2021, the NHL would be able to reset their schedule so that by the time the 2021-22 season arrives they will be ready. Hockey fans won’t have to wait until December or January. Bruins fans could look forward to hockey returning in October.

But when it comes to this upcoming season, Bruins fans shouldn’t expect to see their favorite players on the ice. The most likely outcome seems to be that we don’t have a 2020-21 NHL season.