Coronavirus and sports

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I think it's more likely that next season doesn't start on time than this one being revived. 2019/20 is dead.

Yeah, the fourth point in the League's release looks like nonsense. 45 days is an eternity. It doesn't seem logistically plausible to finish the season with a startup in May.

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[VilleN]

In all likelihood May is optimistic. I would guess June to be a more realistic timeline before this virus is under control. If we use China as a model, the first cases were in December - only now are they getting it under control, so that is 4 months. And that is with extreme isolation measures put in place by their government, I'm not convinced the American government will be able to replicate that.

Not to mention, we have yet to see what happens when China reduces restrictions on social isolation - do they experience a resurgence of the virus? Too many unknowns at this point, the 2020 season is over, I'd bet on it. I'd go as far as saying it may even be unlikely the 2020/2021 season starts on time.

[greyshep]

That press release from the NHL just seems like desperation to me. Call it done and lets look forward to next season, there are more important things going on right now than the possibility of scraping together some sort of NHL season completion.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by VilleN

In all likelihood May is optimistic. I would guess June to be a more realistic timeline before this virus is under control. If we use China as a model, the first cases were in December - only now are they getting it under control, so that is 4 months. And that is with extreme isolation measures put in place by their government, I'm not convinced the American government will be able to replicate that.

Not to mention, we have yet to see what happens when China reduces restrictions on social isolation - do they experience a resurgence of the virus? Too many unknowns at this point, the 2020 season is over, I'd bet on it. I'd go as far as saying it may even be unlikely the 2020/2021 season starts on time.

First cases were reports end of December, so not sure where you got 4 months?

Agreed it's unlikely we go to 'full contain' mode like they did, but the timeline is drastically different than 4 months (closer to 2.5 months).

[GioforPM]

One thing about flattening the curve. It helps the severity and drain on the system which is necessary. But it increases the overall duration of the process.

[djsFlames]

That makes me think that if the states get their #### together and things go well, best case we could maybe look for some form of playoffs starting mid June.... maybe.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by MrMike

This could make for the best summer of sports ever.

Honestly? Not really. By the time we get out of all this social distancing and quarantines, it will be bloody nice outside. I don't want to go to the arena by that point.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

That makes me think that if the states get their #### together and things go well, best case we could maybe look for some form of playoffs starting mid June.... maybe.

Season is done June the focus will be the nhl draft and MLB starting

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[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly? Not really. By the time we get out of all this social distancing and quarantines, it will be bloody nice outside. I don't want to go to the arena by that point.

Personally I'm the opposite, I'd love to watch hockey and come out to a beautiful day! Makes it a lot easier to dress in just a jersey or go out afterwards.

[Joborule]

In light of Covid-19 disrupting the sports world, TSN has been including ESPN's Sportscenter show on a regular basis on their channels.

Wonder when sports resume, if TSN will keep having ESPN's Sportscenter in their programing schedule in addition to their own Sportscentre program. Give an option to consumers who want more American sports content in regards to NFL and NBA.

Probably not since it likely would cannibalize their own show, and they're just using it to fill in content in the meantime since Sportscenter would go deeper into other subjects than hockey; and there's not much of that going on obviously.

But it's a thought.

[Mr.Coffee]

I really think the NHL needs to do whatever it can to get the Stanley Cup awarded this year.

The league has played roughly 70 games to determine, at this point, who qualifies for a postseason. Yes it isn’t the usual 82, heaven forbid, but 70 games is more than enough to settle who should or should not qualify for a postseason tournament. Quite frankly, how many of us always think the Cup is awarded too late as it is anyway? The season should be 70 games even under normal circumstances. In 2 months, the players can play an abbreviated playoffs, shrink to best of 5 or 3, or figure out an expedited schedule. It’ll work just fine. If the Cup is awarded in late June, or hell even early July, so be it. At least those 70 games weren’t for naught. It’s not like teams were waiting until game 71 to crank it up and make the playoffs and if they were, tough ####.

Then shift your draft date, free agency period, etc. And even if you have to shorten your training camp for next season to accommodate. Nobody gives a rats about training camp anyway.

This really shouldn’t be an all or nothing cancellation. The players, if all quarantined, will be free and clear and can play in front of empty stadiums if need be.

There are so many options at the leagues disposal to get this done, and it would be a colossal waste of an already overextended season to just pack it up. Figure out a way to make it work. No, it won’t be perfect, but it will make about a billion time’s more sense than canceling after 70 games because we need 2 months quarantine. The Stanley Cup playoffs do not have to be some 3 month long slugfest. Figure it out, and every team is in the same boat.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I really think the NHL needs to do whatever it can to get the Stanley Cup awarded this year.

I don't think it does.

It's not the worst thing if the Stanley Cup doesn't get award this year. The only time it wasn't award was 101 years ago for pretty much the same thing that's going on right now. So there's precedent. (Granted it was deadlier, and actually did make players ill and die that were playing in the Final)

This is extraordinary circumstances that if there's a point it's too challenging to pull off a season, or flat out impossible cause it's still ongoing, it's okay. Just hope that next season can start on time since that means this is finally over by then.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Joborule

The only time it wasn't award was 101 years ago for pretty much the same thing that's going on right now. So there's precedent. (

Did you forget about 2005 already?

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Kidder

Did you forget about 2005 already?

I was just thinking of a season that was in progress already. Didn't think of that year also.

So yeah, the Cup has had years it's hasn't be awarded. So this year likely be another one.

[Kidder]

I agree. This will probably be a blank year in the history book.

Way better than the Oilers on there again.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Joborule

In light of Covid-19 disrupting the sports world, TSN has been including ESPN's Sportscenter show on a regular basis on their channels.

Wonder when sports resume, if TSN will keep having ESPN's Sportscenter in their programing schedule in addition to their own Sportscentre program. Give an option to consumers who want more American sports content in regards to NFL and NBA.

Probably not since it likely would cannibalize their own show, and they're just using it to fill in content in the meantime since Sportscenter would go deeper into other subjects than hockey; and there's not much of that going on obviously.

But it's a thought.

I kind of remember back in the 2004-05 no NHL season, TSN did the same thing with simulcasting ESPN's SC. It's a temporary measure to fill in lots of lost programming for TSN. I think the CRTC allows canadian content regulations to be relaxed during extraordinary times like this.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

First cases were reports end of December, so not sure where you got 4 months?

Agreed it's unlikely we go to 'full contain' mode like they did, but the timeline is drastically different than 4 months (closer to 2.5 months).

Should have been more clear- China reported cases to the WHO at the end of December, but the outbreak likely started earlier. It is not fully under control, but getting close - by the end of the month it could be there, so that is why I said 4 months.

But as others have said, with the 'flattening the curve' strategy this likely drags out a few more months.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

I really think the NHL needs to do whatever it can to get the Stanley Cup awarded this year.

The league has played roughly 70 games to determine, at this point, who qualifies for a postseason. Yes it isn’t the usual 82, heaven forbid, but 70 games is more than enough to settle who should or should not qualify for a postseason tournament. Quite frankly, how many of us always think the Cup is awarded too late as it is anyway? The season should be 70 games even under normal circumstances. In 2 months, the players can play an abbreviated playoffs, shrink to best of 5 or 3, or figure out an expedited schedule. It’ll work just fine. If the Cup is awarded in late June, or hell even early July, so be it. At least those 70 games weren’t for naught. It’s not like teams were waiting until game 71 to crank it up and make the playoffs and if they were, tough ####.

Then shift your draft date, free agency period, etc. And even if you have to shorten your training camp for next season to accommodate. Nobody gives a rats about training camp anyway.

This really shouldn’t be an all or nothing cancellation. The players, if all quarantined, will be free and clear and can play in front of empty stadiums if need be.

There are so many options at the leagues disposal to get this done, and it would be a colossal waste of an already overextended season to just pack it up. Figure out a way to make it work. No, it won’t be perfect, but it will make about a billion time’s more sense than canceling after 70 games because we need 2 months quarantine. The Stanley Cup playoffs do not have to be some 3 month long slugfest. Figure it out, and every team is in the same boat.

I think more accurate assessments of quarantine time, and overall social/economic damage estimates in about a month or so will help to determine if anyone is going to view awarding the Stanley cup as a priority.

[tvp2003]

Nothing to do with COVID-19 but I still LOL'ed:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1239937352497127424

[Flamenspiel]

Finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup has zero importance. I would put it at the same level of importance as finishing PeeWee AA playoffs in Calgary. Sad for the kids but grateful that we potentially avoided more community infection.