NHLPA expected to accept 24-team playoff proposal, including Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected, among other teams, to be back in the playoffs for the first time in 2017, as NHL is expected to approve the playoff proposal.

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, most-likely.

Okay, so, chances are at least 18 of 31 teams are going to accept the 24-team playoff proposal. You can expect the eight teams who weren’t in the playoff originally to accept it. It’s fair to assume the top seeds will accept it as well, as they’re guaranteed to remain in a high seeding.

There are 24 teams that will be included in the playoffs, chances are, all 24 teams will agree to the deal and hockey will be back. The question becomes, when will hockey return?

Well, the UFC is back, same with the WWE, AEW, and a few other leagues. Rumor has it, hockey will return in mid-to-late June or early July. I would bet for it to start back up in July, even though I want playoff hockey to start right now.

Here is Bob McKenzie’s statement from just a few hours ago on Twitter:

"While last night’s NHLPA executive committee conference call got a little heated at times, and various individual players still have a wide variety of views on the NHL’s RTP format, the exec committee vote by team is expected to result in NHLPA approval of the NHL plan."

A few sites have confirmed this statement, saying hockey is indeed going to be back, with this already being confirmed. The biggest website is the New York Times, saying “the NHL to approve 24-team proposal.”

The NHL is yet to make a statement, though it’s expected to be made either later tonight or tomorrow. This is weirder than how weird the 2012-13 *almost* lockout was.