Looks Like The Sabres 2019-2020 Season Is Over

The Buffalo Sabres haven't played since the second week of March, with a 3-2 shootout win against the Washington Capitals on March 9th, and it looks as if that was the final game the Sabres will play this season or playoffs.

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According to TSN, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed in principle for a 24-team playoff format, but further negotiations need to take place in order to agree on all details before finalizing the playoff format for 2020.

That playoff format would not include the Sabres.

The NHL players association executive board said:

 "Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play."

Government and health officials would also need to green-light when players could return to playing meaningful games, along with other details, such as timing, venues, fans and testing procedures.

Some players want a firm date, such as return to play in late August and end the playoffs in October. This would push the start of next season back to the end of the year, but that remains to be seen.

If that timetable is accurate, we might not see the Sabres on the ice again until December! Wow, that's a long time. I can't think players on the non-playoff teams are excited about that but unfortunately, there's no perfect solution during this pandemic.