Monday Links, News and Notes

• The big news, of course, is that the NHL and the NHLPA have reached a deal for the upcoming season. It is a 56 game season, to start Wednesday, January 13th. The Senators, as well as the other six teams who weren’t part of the summer playoffs, are scheduled to open camp on December 31st. The rest of the league will start January 3rd. The regular season is scheduled to wrap up on May 8th.
• Once we’re into the playoffs, the NHL will do something that they haven’t done in over 40 years - they will re-seed. The first two rounds will be divisional play like usual, other than the removal of the wild card. Once they hit the semi-finals though, the four divisional winners will be re-seeded.
• As expected, we’re getting a Canadian division for this year, and they’ve called it the “North” division. The Sens will face 2 of the other Canadian teams 10 times, and the rest of them nine times.
• We’re all excited to see the Tkachuks play each other 9-10 times this season, right?
• With the Brampton Beast not operating this season, this one detail from the return to play plan is notable for Ottawa:/

NHL teams are required to carry at least three goalies at all times this season, between the active roster and taxi squad.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 20, 2020

• While the league has reached a deal with the PA, they don’t have approval from the all of the Provincial health authorities to play games in the home arenas. BC, Quebec and Ontario have not signed off, and no word on Alberta or Manitoba. The backup plan sounds like an Edmonton hub to start the season with the hopes of moving back to home arenas later in the season.
• Notably, Quebec is set to enter a “circuit breaker” lockdown from the 25th through January 11th, and Ontario is expected to make the announcement this afternoon of a province-wide lockdown to start on the 24th through January 20th. These could cause problems for the Sens, Leafs and Habs training camps.
• Oh no Pinto!/

Shane Pinto goes into the board hard.
He goes off favoring his shoulder.

He's on the bench getting looked at by the trainer - he's moving it which is good.

A hooking penalty was called on the play. pic.twitter.com/gfpOalsHkw

— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) December 21, 2020

• After signing in Florida, Anthony Duclair posted a thank you message to Ottawa over the weekend.
• The Senators made a minor league deal sending Michael Carcone to the Nashville Predators organization in exchange for Zach Magwood. Magwood, 22, is a right shot forward who spent last season with Florida of the ECHL, compiling 47 points in 51 games./