Daily Roundup: NHL discussions pick back up, but is the league better off not playing?

Welcome to Daily Faceoff’s daily NHL roundup where we bring you the NHL’s most important news and rumours every day. 

Will there be an NHL season?

NHL reporter John Shannon said Monday that sources from both the NHL and its players’ association have confirmed to him that the two parties have resumed talks on an upcoming season.

It comes during a time where both parties haven’t been having talks bringing doubt to whether or not the NHL’s season will kick off on Jan. 1 like league higher-ups have been suggesting for months.

And in saying that, Kevin McGran, who reports for The Star, penned in a Monday article that it would cost each NHL franchise “at least” $150-million U.S. to operate without fans for a season. That would account for payrolls, travel costs, team employees, and league dues.

“It’s believed some have told Bettman they would be financially better off not playing,” wrote McGran. “It’s not like the players are happy, either.

“They spent the summer and fall thinking that they would at least get 72 per cent of their salary this season. Now they face the prospect of going as low as 55 per cent – based on Bettman’s last ask – or even getting as little as 32 per cent if the salaries end up being prorated for a shorter season.

“Or nothing at all, if the season is not played.”

The financial implications could be crippling for some NHL teams. According to a Forbes evaluation, there are 14 teams in the NHL whose revenues were under $150-million in 2019. Not only that, but every team in the league have operating incomes (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), are well below $150-million, according to Forbes.

These next few weeks are going to be very interesting to watch.

A Reinhart-Eichel bromance?

Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart posted on his Instagram a great little video of he and new teammate Jack Eichel arriving at the Key Bank Center recently.

The video, which was shared online after being turned into a gif, showed the pair pedalling in on a tandem bike. Maybe there’s some chemistry to be had between the two next season, whenever that is.

From the football field to the rink

Having said off into retirement after the 2019 season, former New York Giants two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning has now turned his attention to an ice rink.

Manning posted on Twitter Sunday afternoon a photo of his daughter Ava getting ready to hit the ice in New Jersey.

Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur even chimed in welcoming Manning to the carpool rotation for local practices.

On Twitter: @zjlaing