After the
previous season was curtailed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, there was no certainty for the AHL's 2020–21 season due to continuing limitations on arena capacities and traveling during the pandemic. The league had originally hoped to start play by December 4, 2020, but was later pushed back to at least February 5, 2021. On January 4, 2021, the league announced its plans and divisional alignment for the shortened season. The four Canadian teams were placed in their own division with a season start date still pending provincial approval. Three teams opted out of the season entirely: the
Charlotte Checkers,
Milwaukee Admirals, and the
Springfield Thunderbirds. Seven teams temporarily relocated to be closer to their parent teams or due to venue availability during the pandemic: the
Belleville Senators to
Ottawa; the
Binghamton Devils to
Newark, New Jersey; the
Laval Rocket to
Montreal; the
Ontario Reign to
El Segundo, California; the
Providence Bruins to
Marlborough, Massachusetts; the
San Diego Gulls to
Irvine, California; and the
Stockton Heat to
Calgary. The
San Jose Barracuda also opened their season with home games in
Tucson before returning to San Jose. The schedule for the American divisions was released on January 22; however, the Canadian teams had not yet received provincial clearance. Stockton then moved from the Pacific to the Canadian Division on January 28 causing scheduling changes to the Pacific Division. On February 1, the league announced a revised schedule and that the start of the season for the Canadian Division had been postponed. The beginning of the Canadian schedule was released on February 9 with a February 12 start date, but the two Ontario teams still did not have approval to play at home. The league allowed each division the choice to hold a divisional postseason. On April 29, it was announced that only the Pacific Division had elected to hold a postseason tournament to name a division champion, with the other four divisions awarding their champions via regular season records. Consequently, the league would not award the
Calder Cup for a second consecutive season.
Team and NHL affiliation changes Relocations • The
San Antonio Rampage franchise was purchased by the
National Hockey League's
Vegas Golden Knights and relocated to the
Las Vegas area. The team became the
Henderson Silver Knights playing out of
Orleans Arena in
Paradise, Nevada, with plans to move into a new venue in nearby
Henderson, Nevada, upon completion.
Hiatus Due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, three teams chose to not participate in the season. •
Charlotte Checkers •
Milwaukee Admirals •
Springfield Thunderbirds Affiliation changes Coaching changes == Final standings ==