Christian’s Daily Links: Is the 2020-21 NHL Season in Peril?

If hockey fans were looking for some good news, Tuesday just wasn’t the day for it in the NHL.

One day after the Hockey Now Network’s Off The Record column indicated that there were more concerns that the NHL season would not start on time, other outlets followed suit. Larry Brooks reported that the Jan. 1 start date the league has been targeting might be in danger.

The major sticking point seems to be the additional salary deferrals and an increase in the escrow cap the NHL has asked for. Talks between the league and Players Association have gone quiet and that has hindered the process of putting together COVID-19 protocols. (NY Post)

Thanksgiving Eve is usually the time that NHL teams would be taking stock of where they’re at nearly two months into the season, but things are much different this year. Stephen Whyno went through everything the NHL and players are going through to try and get a season going at some point next season. (Associated Press) 

Two add to the NHL’s issues, two teams announced they had players that tested positive for COVID-19.  The Vegas Golden Knights had four players test positive and the Columbus Blue Jackets said they had “several” players test positive for the virus. (NBC Sports)

Locally, we took a look at some of the New York Islanders prospects playing in the NCAA. One started off the 2020-21 season on a pretty good note. (NYI Hockey Now)

The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency has commissioned a $68,000 study into the economic viability of the Nassau Coliseum in a post-COVID-19 world. The study comes after several IDA board members expressed concerns about the Coliseum viability once UBS Arena opens in 2021. (Newsday)

Arthur Staple caught up with Otto Koivula to get an update on how things have been going during his stint overseas. (The Athletic)

Things between former Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara and the Boston Bruins remain at an impasse. Boston general manager Don Sweeney told reporters that things remain “status quo.” (Boston Hockey Now) 

San Jose Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau wasn’t aware of just how much attention his highlight-reel goal for Michigan at first. Sheng Peng caught up with him to chat about his goal in last Friday’s game. (San Jose Hockey Now)