Gary Bettman: 2020-21 NHL Season Could Be Delayed Until November, December

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman is throwing his support behind the recent reports that the league could start the 2020-21 season two-to-three months later than expected if it allows for finishing the current season first.   

Speaking to NHL Network on Thursday, Bettman confirmed the delayed start has been considered by the league office.

"We have a great deal of flexibility in terms of when we can start," Bettman said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "There's no magic for next season of starting in October as we traditionally do. If we have to start in November or December, that's something that will be under consideration. We're going to try to make good, prudent, careful judgments. This isn't a race to be first back."

Bettman's response follows a similar line of thinking as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who has noted the league's timeline to return will prioritize data over dates. 

In that regard, the league has multiple benchmarks to consider in planning when to resume activities.

"Our health concerns for the players really fit into two categories: One is obviously COVID-19, and two, whatever we're going to do, we don't want them playing games until they're back in game shape. We don't want anybody getting injured." Bettman said. 

Just exactly when that will be is still to be determined.

No timeline has been put forth by the league to return to the ice, though there have been a few important strides made toward that point. Most notably, on Wednesday, the NHL sent a memo to teams and players targeting a mid-May opening of team facilities for small group activities. 

The goal of the memo was more to allow players quarantining outside their team's city to begin making plans to return to their clubs. 

"We're looking at all of our options. No decisions have been made," Bettman said. "When we have something to say, we announce it."

While the league remains on hiatus, Bettman and the NHL offices have maintained communication with the players association to make sure its athletes' concerns are being heard and considered. 

Since pressing pause on the season on March 12, the league has instructed teams to self-isolate for a number of days as it works through contingency plans to complete the 2019-20 season. Meanwhile, Bettman has little choice but to look at the ripple effects the pandemic will have on future seasons. 

A truncated offseason with a condensed schedule in 2020-21 may be the best way to complete the full 82-game season.