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

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Oh boy.
First - hockey ain't essential.
Second - I think it's awful that you are framing the pandemic as a "poor excuse to get away with it".
Yes they signed a contract - but who cares. This is an unprecedented crisis for humanity. A little bit of empathy would go a long way.

Eff hockey until things get back to normal, or the new normal.

Yes, a little bit of empathy would go along ways. Like people who can do a job to make a small sacrifice to help relieve the overwhelming stress of the world right now. You don't get it. If a player doesn't want to play they don't have to. Like I said, they can sit at home and not get paid while a young player who actually gives a crap can showcase himself for 10-12 games. I have yet to hear one player whose team is still in it say they don't want to play, I have heard many stars on playoff teams say they do. This is not at all about safety, this is about some players saying why should I play 10-12 meaningless games for my team when I can be at home with my family. That is the truth of it.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Could they also add in a crowd like they do for the advertisements that appear on the glass?

I don't know how good it would look but that could be a creative option alongside the "laugh tracks".

Assuming that the NHL wants to finish the season in order to make as much money as possible on advertising so that they can recoup losses from the stoppage I would expect ads to be slapped wherever possible. Ads on the ice, on the boards, on the glasses, banners draped across the empty stands etc.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

They could partner with EA Sports and cut in scenes of cheering fans.

Yeah, I'm sure sportsnet would hit that out of that park. Knowing them we'd end up with video gameplay instead of the game and crowd shots of the empty arena.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Money has nothing to do with it...if it did, you would see no one pushing back or questioning it.

Do you somehow think these guys are exempt from the stresses going on?

Do you not think those with wives and children wouldn't see a giant leap of their own stress levels if they were whisked away from their loved ones for 3 or 4 months while a pandemic continues?

Good grief.

I find this funny all the time, if money had nothing to do with it why was it mentioned in the article to begin with. Basically saying "well I got mine so #### the owners and fans". This is one major reason why the players lose every chance to get fans on their side during lockouts. They have just had 2months at home with their families, I am sure they can sacrifice some time to support the BUSINESS that makes them part of the top .1% of wealthy people on earth.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, a little bit of empathy would go along ways. Like people who can do a job to make a small sacrifice to help relieve the overwhelming stress of the world right now. You don't get it. If a player doesn't want to play they don't have to. Like I said, they can sit at home and not get paid while a young player who actually gives a crap can showcase himself for 10-12 games. I have yet to hear one player whose team is still in it say they don't want to play, I have heard many stars on playoff teams say they do. This is not at all about safety, this is about some players saying why should I play 10-12 meaningless games for my team when I can be at home with my family. That is the truth of it.

Being apart form your family is not a small sacrifice
And none of what you say should be described as truth. It’s an opinion not truth

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Being apart form your family is not a small sacrifice
And none of what you say should be described as truth. It’s an opinion not truth

Really? So does Danault not go on road trips? What does he do during a 7 game road trip away from home? Does he sit those games out? Again, the players who have something to play for are not saying this. Actually the latest from LeBraun is he has heard most players are itching to get back it.

[Strange Brew]

Fact is, the players need to decide if the money is worth it to them to be away from their families for an extended period. The 93% of their pay so far is a mirage as it’s really more of an advance.

I know many people that travel several months a year to earn a living. So while I personally don’t see this as an insurmountable challenge, I’m not going to tell another person what’s important to them.

The fact that many of these players are multi millionaires obviously makes it a little easier to walk away from some money. That seems pretty obvious.

As a fan, I hope I get to watch some sports.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Really? So does Danault not go on road trips? What does he do during a 7 game road trip away from home? Does he sit those games out? Again, the players who have something to play for are not saying this. Actually the latest from LeBraun is he has heard most players are itching to get back it.

Again. There is a difference between being away from a short and defined period of time during "normal" times and being away from an extended period during a global health crisis.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Really? So does Danault not go on road trips? What does he do during a 7 game road trip away from home? Does he sit those games out? Again, the players who have something to play for are not saying this. Actually the latest from LeBraun is he has heard most players are itching to get back it.

First off a 7 game roadie is rare at best, but thats besides the point.

Say there was a 7 game trip. that would be over somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-13 days.

This trip could last over 4 months factoring in a training camp/season completion/playoffs.

Just a wee bit of difference.

Again though...this will go to a vote of the membership and ultimately will decide what they wish to do. I believe that it may be very close but there are a lot of things that will determine that.

Locations, schedules, safety/health protocols, housing, nutrition, and everything else elite athletes require to perform. Will there be a break to see loved ones at any point? Can families be part of it from the beginning? What does it look like on the other side ie is there a break between SC being awarded and starting the next season? If so how long and how many games will next season be? etc

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by transplant99

First off a 7 game roadie is rare at best, but thats besides the point.

Say there was a 7 game trip. that would be over somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-13 days.

This trip could last over 4 months factoring in a training camp/season completion/playoffs.

Just a wee bit of difference.

Again though...this will go to a vote of the membership and ultimately will decide what they wish to do. I believe that it may be very close but there are a lot of things that will determine that.

Locations, schedules, safety/health protocols, housing, nutrition, and everything else elite athletes require to perform. Will there be a break to see loved ones at any point? Can families be part of it from the beginning? What does it look like on the other side ie is there a break between SC being awarded and starting the next season? If so how long and how many games will next season be? etc

He is not playing 3-4 months, he is playing 10-12 games unless you think a miracle run us happening for the Habs. I am sure their families are isolating, they don't even have to leave the house for groceries at their pay grade so their families are safe. With today's tech they can see their family every day via video conference call. Let's see what he says if the league finds a way to keep their families with them, I am betting players like this still won't be in favour of resuming. Regardless the impression we have been given is the majority of players are looking forward to it, it is going to happen. The vote won't be close.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Again. There is a difference between being away from a short and defined period of time during "normal" times and being away from an extended period during a global health crisis.

Plus, on a regular road trip, the guys can go out to eat (and drink), or go shopping, or just go out and enjoy the local scenery of the cities they're visiting.

This will require them to spend up to three months in the same hotel, in the same hotel room, and the only time they'll be allowed to leave will be to get on a bus that takes them to either the arena or a practice rink. Plus, to kick it off, it will likely require them all to be in complete isolation for 2 weeks without any contact with even their teammates.

[1qqaaz]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Canada's 27 year long streak of no cup end with some dumb shortened playoffs.

[Strange Brew]

How do we even know this is 3 months in full quarantine? Too many assumptions being made in here IMO of what this would involve. Not too mention the full time period would only apply to the 2 teams playing for the Stanley Cup.

Would Mark Giordano agree to 3 or 4 months of living in a hotel in exchange for the Stanley Cup? Someone should ask him.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

He is not playing 3-4 months, he is playing 10-12 games unless you think a miracle run us happening for the Habs. I am sure their families are isolating, they don't even have to leave the house for groceries at their pay grade so their families are safe. With today's tech they can see their family every day via video conference call. Let's see what he says if the league finds a way to keep their families with them, I am betting players like this still won't be in favour of resuming. Regardless the impression we have been given is the majority of players are looking forward to it, it is going to happen. The vote won't be close.

Why are you fixating on just Danault?

Is he the only guy who isnt sure? Are guys on playoff likely teams just fine with leaving for 4 months possibly?

Have you spoken to them? You sure seem to know what 600-700 guys are thinking. I have not myself.

I mean the players literally formed a committee just recently to investigate how things would work if they go back...cant believe they have their questions answered already since no one can give them science based solid ones. Just today the NHL was to announce an extension of the team quarantine thing for 3 more weeks i believe.

From Tavares who is one of 5 on that committee,

We’ve definitely had that conversation about the time commitment and what that could account for, especially teams that go really deep in the playoffs and if this scenario is the one that ends up happening, I think from players we definitely brought that up to their attention and they’ve completely been really understanding that that’s a part of this process and something that’s going to have to be addressed,’’ Tavares said. “Because that’s a very significant amount of time.’’

“I know personally, my situation, that would be very difficult to go through that amount of time without seeing your family, especially a newborn son and whatnot,” Tavares said. “But I think the league has been very receptive, there are still hurdles to cross before we get into more details about that.”

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Yes, a little bit of empathy would go along ways. Like people who can do a job to make a small sacrifice to help relieve the overwhelming stress of the world right now.

Replace hockey with yoga and meditation. You'll probably lower your blood pressure for once instead of raising it.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

How do we even know this is 3 months in full quarantine? Too many assumptions being made in here IMO of what this would involve. Not too mention the full time period would only apply to the 2 teams playing for the Stanley Cup.

Would Mark Giordano agree to 3 or 4 months of living in a hotel in exchange for the Stanley Cup? Someone should ask him.

You think mass gatherings will be allowed before then?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by transplant99

You think mass gatherings will be allowed before then?

No. Not mass gatherings like a hockey arena full of 18,000 fans. But there’s a lot of real estate between full quarantine and mass gatherings.

Including visits to family.

[Buff]

Making millions does not exempt you from concern for a world wide illness. It doesn't exempt you from concern for loved ones that you can't be near. It doesn't mean that you have to finish the season so some selfish fans can have closure on a season.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

How do we even know this is 3 months in full quarantine? Too many assumptions being made in here IMO of what this would involve. Not too mention the full time period would only apply to the 2 teams playing for the Stanley Cup.

Would Mark Giordano agree to 3 or 4 months of living in a hotel in exchange for the Stanley Cup? Someone should ask him.

It's just the math of the situation. As I understand it (and this is constantly changing, so the plan may have already changed from this)...

• The first phase will see all the players return to their NHL home city. Once home, the players will need to enter a full 2 week personal isolation. I believe there has been some talk of allowing this to be done with their families, but I also wouldn't be surprised if many players who make their offseason homes somewhere else will just do this on their own to allow their wives and kids to lead a somewhat normal life.
  
  
  
• The next phase will be a 2 week training camp with the teams. I've heard this may be done in the home city, or possibly in the central city where the games will be played. That will likely be determined by what the local authorities are allowing. For example, I'd expect the California-based teams to not be allowed to practice locally, especially San Jose. During this phase, the players will have contact with their teammates, but might have to move into team isolation away from their families to limit outside exposure.
  
  
  
• The next phase would be the resumption of the regular season, if they decide to do that. If they play out the full regular season, it will take a minimum of 3 weeks. They could reduce that to 2 weeks by reducing the total number of games played, but if they shorten it too much, they might as well not even bother.
  
  
  
• At that point, it's already 7 weeks in and the playoffs will start. The teams that don't make the playoffs will be done and they spent 7 weeks in isolation to essentially get nowhere.
  
  
  
• I suppose they could play an accelerated playoff schedule to get things done quicker, but I assume they'll play one game per night on alternating nights, which means it would take approximately 8 weeks to play out a full 4 rounds. They could also add in a few travel days between the second and third rounds to get the final four teams to the same city.

For the two teams in the Final, that's a 15 week commitment. If you win it all, I'm sure it will be worth it, but it's also a 13 week commitment to lose in the Conference Final; 11 weeks to lose in the second round; 9 weeks to lose in the first round; and 7 weeks to not even make the playoffs. It's hard to imagine the players on those 30 teams looking back and thinking it was worth it.

[Strange Brew]

^ Again I don’t want to make any players decision for them. Not my business.

But you’re saying 7 weeks for a player who doesn’t make the playoffs is a waste. But it is their job. They will earn money for this and a shot at playoff glory. It’s not without a reward.