The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) extension and agreement on protocols for Phases 3 and 4 are subject to ratification by the full NHLPA membership and the NHL Board of Governors. A simple majority is needed among players, who are expected to vote over the next three-five days, while three-quarters of owners have to support the plan for it to move ahead, as reported by Sportsnet.
The current CBA, ratified in January 2013, was scheduled to expire on September 15, 2022. With this extension, it would expire on September 15, 2026. Among other things, the extended agreement includes the participation of NHL players to the next two editions of the Olympics Games, pending an agreement with the IOC.
For what concerns the current season and the Return to Play Plan of the NHL, for Phase 3, which is scheduled for July 13, players will be permitted to participate in full team activities on and off the ice. In addition, coaches, general managers, and hockey operations personnel will be allowed to have direct interactions with players and conduct typical training camp activities.
For Phase 4, on July 26 the 24 teams will travel to the two hub cities, one for the twelve Eastern Conference teams and the other for the twelve Western Conference teams. The two cities have not been announced yet, although it seems as though they will be Toronto and Edmonton.
