Jimmy Murphy of ESPNBoston.com spoke with three “unnamed players” who said there is a growing feeling that the NHL will begin the season on November 23rd and feature a game between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.
Just spoke to three NHL players and growing feeling that NHL has 'Black Friday' game between BOS/NYR 11/23 "circled" as first game.
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) September 4, 2012
The particular game would kick off NBC’s national coverage of the NHL and would be similar to what the NBA did last season during a lockout shortened season in which they resumed play on Christmas weekend.
One player further mentioned that the NHLPA was “ready for that or anything” and that “there is no folding this time”.
There have been no talks scheduled between the owners and players to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA is set to expire on September 15th and if it does the league has said they will lock out the players.
h/t: ESPNBoston.com, ProHockeyTalk.com, Twitter