"We really haven't focused precisely on what we're going to be doing next season," Bettman said on NHL Network before the start of the 2020 NHL Draft. "I think it's fairly clear that while Dec. 1 has always been a notional date, we're focused on the fact that we're really looking now at Jan. 1 to start the season up. Our hope is to have a full season, full regular season, and to have fans in the building, but there are a lot of things that have to transpire, many of which - if not most of which - are beyond our control before we can finalize our plans."
Bettman stressed that the start date could be moved if necessary.
Dates for the start of training camp will be announced later.
