BLOG: NHL, NHLPA reach tentative agreement

EDMONTON, AB - Oilers training camp is now slated to begin Monday, July 13, with the Qualifying Round starting Saturday, Aug. 1 as the NHL and NHLPA have reached a tentative agreement on the Return To Play Plan.

The League and Players' Association announced the tentative agreement on the RTP Plan today as well as a Memorandum of Understanding that adds an additional four years to the term of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and includes transition rules and a new critical dates calendar.

As part of the tentative agreement, July 13 will be the start of Phase 3 with formal training camps, July 26 will see teams travel to the soon-to-be-announced hub cities, and Aug. 1 will usher in the beginning of Phase 4 including the Qualifying Round and Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Oilers will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the best-of-five Qualifying Round.

The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the NHL's Board of Governors, as well as the NHLPA's Executive Board followed by the full NHLPA membership.

Click HERE to read the frameworks that will govern players and teams in Phase 3 (training camps) and Phase 4 (resumption of competition).