UPDATE: NHLPA votes for further negotiations on 24-team return to play format

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Of course they are aware there are bigger problems but that should not preclude them from thinking and trying to plan ahead. Life will move on at every level at some point and being prepared for that is a very pragmatic goal

Businesses everywhere and in every sector should be, and likely are, doing the same.

I have my doubts this thing has much of a chance of succeeding as its being framed, but that really should not preclude the people tasked for running the league, from getting things in place should the possibility present itself.

Seems like smart business to me.

Agreed. The NHL needs to be looking at every option possible. It's basic business sense.

I just can't get pass the concept though of contact sports (or any really to be honest) resume even without fans, until there is at minimum improvement in treatment that if a player/front office staff gets the virus, that they won't be able spread it onto others. The only preventive measure in this case would be the ultimate solution, which is a vaccine.

Having all those personnel from several teams in the same hotel, same spaces, and playing a contact sport against one another on a regular basis? It'll just take one to generate another outbreak. And teams will have to eventually travel to other 'hubs' for inter-divisional games and playoff series. So that's another way the virus could spread also.

The NHL has a lot to risk by cancelling the season period, but they have even more of a risk if they do play without a vaccine ready.

I personally feel that if you can't play with fans in the stands, then the players shouldn't be playing either. Once it safe for large crowds to gather, then the risk for the league is negated. The virus is under control.

Hopefully a vaccine comes much faster than it usually does with the advances in technology, and how much collaboration is ongoing.

[GirlySports]

The NHL can cancel an entire season and other half seasons over labour but they want to force this? This would be horrible PR.

There is an Athletic article about the Japanese Basketball league restarted and people got sick. Logistics are impossible.

[JohnnyB]

International ice surfaces, minor penalty for getting inside an opponent's six-foot bubble, players sit in the stands instead of squeezed together on the benches, sticks all add a few feet in length so that players can stick check while maintaining social distancing and at intermission all the players go to separate places to have a zoom meeting while the zamboni disinfects the ice surface. Seems doable.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Sounds like all teams and staff, and officials would be in hotels, all persons involved quarantined.

Bettman on Fan960 right now, interview with Ron McLean.

Lots of scenarios on the table and they're changing every day.
Back to Play Plan
-regular season finish whole, partial or just a play off all on the table whatever they do has have integrity
-Can play into the summer
-Start 20/21 later
-Tow health concerns, Covid and player injuries, play re have not been on skates in weeks (although stories of players in Sweeden skating in groups skates.
-Would need 4 NHL arenas to come back with a centralized schedule, need NHL locker rooms, practice facilities etc.... Would have to follow local health/ governments recommendations and practices.
-Step one, players training camp, 3 weeks
-Still looking at doing the draft as scheduled and realizes there'd be a to of issues, also looking at doing the draft at a later date. Issues of both sides of the equation, lots of input from the club bs on this subject.
-No revenues coming in right now, bulk of TV revenue associated with playoffs although is paid to the league over the course of the regular season. League would have to credit TV towards next yar if no playoffs.
-McLean threw out 34% escrow if season and playoffs cancelled.
-Lots of conversations with Donald Fehr of the NHLPA on this subject

The way I read this, if the league doesn't finish this season, it costs them TV money next season. Yeah... They're gonna do everything in their power to finish. That's probably 100s of millions they stand to lose

[Flabbibulin]

What happens if a few players test positive after play resumes? I don't see how that won't lead to a second shut down, even after all the work and resources put into this reconstructed season.

Every league needs to come up with a strategy on what to do if, some would argue when, players or team staff test positive when things resume- whether it is this season or next.

In a normal scenario, a flu outbreak in the locker room might only be covered by the local beat reporter, but hardly TSN or ESPN news. In this case, a few infections would likely be a huge story and the pressure to cancel again.

[Strange Brew]

The NHL is doing actually what they should be doing. Coming up with strategies to restart their business once its safe to and planning for as many scenarios as they can.

The odds may be against them but this is exactly what responsible business leaders are doing across the entire economy.

[Geeoff]

It's scary to think about, but the term "flatten the curve" implies that everyone is going to get this #### eventually. The goal has never been to prevent infection, only to delay it. If a state/province decides to allow pro sports, it's because they think their health care system can handle it. There are probably graphs...

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Exactly how are they going to make this billion with empty arena's? gate receipts make up 80% of total revenue, if they're thinking PPV games or that maybe sportsnet will up the anti I think they're on glue.

Personally I'm enjoying 30 year old replays, game 1 of the 89 final was great tonight, I forgot what a great game that was and how great Vernon was with the puny equipment, I would rather watch replays with excited fans and even more excited players than a nothing game in an empty stadium with players just going thru the motions for a paycheck. It's a ridiculous concept IMO.

Around the world people would love their sports back but it's not even close to them wanting things like their jobs, food, a haircut or just general life to return first.

Gate was 36.6% last year and they would get the television and sponsorship dollars that they are not getting right now.

[Calgary14]

Just re-start the damn season already I am tired of watching 2011 Vancouver vs Chicago games every night

[troutman]

Originally Posted by standinmotion

Okay, don't watch then. I'm willing to bet everybody will watch this.

Everybody? I will take that bet..

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think the league is being extremely optimistic in thinking they can pull this off but if it happens I will watch but as far as I'm concerned the real NHL season is over and this is more of a World Cup of hockey type of tournament. If the Flames were to win it would be great but it would be an asterisk marked championship.

Yes. Ok to hold a tournament if they can - but let's not award the Stanley Cup for it. Call it something else.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes. Ok to hold a tournament if they can - but let's not award the Stanley Cup for it. Call it something else.

No credible source has said anything about hosting a “tournament” and awarding the cup. As per Bettman the three options they’re looking at are 1) Completion of regular season and playoffs. 2) Partial completion or regular season and playoffs and 3) Playoffs only. All of these hinging on how things play out going forward, health recommendations, testing availability and turn around times, government rules, travel restrictions, NHLPA and so on.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

What happens if a few players test positive after play resumes? I don't see how that won't lead to a second shut down, even after all the work and resources put into this reconstructed season.

This is my biggest question as far as gameplay concerns. Do you have to sit a player, or portion of your roster (depending how many test positive), for 14 days, some of whom may be asymptomatic?

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

This is my biggest question as far as gameplay concerns. Do you have to sit a player, or portion of your roster (depending how many test positive), for 14 days, some of whom may be asymptomatic?

Daily testing. Tests which generate results in 15-20 mins. They have not answered the domino effect of a positive test.

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I don't see how those are neutral sites. Unless they are having the teams playing in a location that is outside of their conference/division. It would be quite the home advantage for the Oilers if the Pacific division playoffs were played there.

NHL doing their best to give McDavid every advantage possible!!!

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes. Ok to hold a tournament if they can - but let's not award the Stanley Cup for it. Call it something else.

What would be suitable criteria to be able to award the Stanley Cup?

The NHL has had shortened seasons before. They awarded the Cup during WW2, playing 50 game seasons with 6 teams, with many top players unable to participate because of the war.

The NHL has talked about needing whatever they do to be "legitimate".
So what do we need to see?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Daily testing. Tests which generate results in 15-20 mins. They have not answered the domino effect of a positive test.

That’s my question.

[Toonage]

My own assumption would be that yes, players who test positive are done for a minimum of 14 days (current quarantine period) and are replaced by players from a "taxi squad" or black aces.

So in theory, you could see half of a team made up of AHL players in a cup final

[Rejean31]

Originally Posted by Southside

NHL action in Edmonton beyond April? Strange times indeed. But, seriously, why Edmonton? Genuinely curious.

The answer is simple, M-C-D-A-V-I-D.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes. Ok to hold a tournament if they can - but let's not award the Stanley Cup for it. Call it something else.

The sport only Canadians watched in the summer cause USA was more interested in watching basketball and baseball cup.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk