THE U.S. National Hockey League (NHL) is not only in a position to resume playing within the next month, the league has the potential of enjoying labor peace through 2026.

The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) on Monday announced reaching a tentative deal on a return to play format, which is coupled with the two sides agreeing to a memorandum of understanding on a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Should both agreements be ratified, the NHL would proceed immediately to its expanded 24-team playoff format, with play beginning Aug. 1. Under the plan, training camps would open July 13, with teams traveling to their respective hub cities for exhibition games July 26.

Sources said that the NHL has selected Toronto, Edmonton and Alberta, to be the hub cities in hosting the qualifying round and at least first two playoff rounds.

The agreements need two-thirds approval by owners. On the union side, the agreements must first be approved by a majority of the NHLPA’s 31-member executive committee before going to a vote to the full membership.

The executive committee is expected to make its recommendation by the end of the next day.

If approved, the players would be expected to complete their voting process by Friday.

Extending the CBA, which was set to expire in September 2022, was considered a necessary step in restarting the season, which was placed on pause in March as a result of the pandemic.(SD-Agencies)