We need a miracle or there's no hockey till 2021-22 at least

[Snuffleupagus]

Let's face it, there's little chance the NHL or pro sports in general will play in empty stadiums and there's literally no chance of fan filled stadiums until there's a vaccine.

Since I'm not much a believer in "miracles" I think next season is lost as well

[TheScorpion]

The first sport to get a vaccine will be baseball, thanks to the heroic efforts of researcher Jonas Balk.

[djsFlames]

It will take North America being on the other side of the bell/curve. Which is why Florida better get its ass in gear so as not to prolong this thing.

20-21 will absolutely get played, though maybe not in its entirety if we're still sitting with some cases and no mass produced vaccine in the fall.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It will take North America being on the other side of the bell/curve. Which is why Florida better get its ass in gear so as not to prolong this thing.

20-21 will absolutely get played, though maybe not in its entirety if we're still sitting with some cases and no mass produced vaccine in the fall.

There will not be a vaccine by the fall. All the experts I've heard speak about this say a vaccine will not be ready at MINIMUM for one year. Losing another year of sports is entirely possible - but I think we will have to get creative after the initial spike of COVID is over, because the economy can't bear 1 year of this, nor can human beings.

EDIT: A vaccine is also not guaranteed - They've been trying to develop an HIV vaccine since the 80s, to no avail. However, the coronavirus is more stable, and thus more likely for a vaccine to be developed, but we are still only in the testing phase of potential vaccines so time will tell.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The first sport to get a vaccine will be baseball, thanks to the heroic efforts of researcher Jonas Balk.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by VilleN

There will not be a vaccine by the fall. All the experts I've heard speak about this say a vaccine will not be ready at MINIMUM for one year. Losing another year of sports is entirely possible - but I think we will have to get creative after the initial spike of COVID is over, because the economy can't bear 1 year of this, nor can human beings.

Even so, with these claims out of Australia and Japan, and the intense demand, I can't see it taking a whole year to have something, somehow. I think they'll cut corners to expedite the process. There are claims every day it seems that they are ahead of schedule on having something.

Even if it's not a vaccine, but a drug treatment like that which the Japanese are claiming they've found, something that could reduce the mortality rate significantly.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Even so, with these claims out of Australia and Japan, and the intense demand, I can't see it taking a whole year to have something, somehow. I think they'll cut corners to expedite the process. There are claims every day it seems that they are ahead of schedule on having something.

Even if it's not a vaccine, but a drug treatment like that which the Japanese are claiming they've found, something that could reduce the mortality rate significantly.

It's possible -but treating viruses is pretty complex - there really isn't much available even for the seasonal flu. At this point, if they want to reduce the mortality rate (which, according to the most reliable data out of South Korea is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 0.5-1% - so that's some positive news) they need to ramp up a wartime like manufacturing effort to produce ventilators and hospital beds, train people to use them (like drafting ppl to war) and also manufacturing PPE for coronavirus so that we can get the economy at least partially functioning again.

[SeanCharles]

I don’t want to believe this is even remotely possible.

[Corral]

The absence will also show people that going forward they no longer need or want to spend so much time and money on pro sports. The day of reckoning for growth in the industry has arrived.

It is almost disgusting to read about NFL contract signing $$ this week in the midst of this crisis. Pro sports needs a major correction.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The problem isn't the time to develop a vaccine. The problem is that after you test it on a person you have to leave them alone for a year or so to make that the vaccine doesn't kill them.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The problem isn't the time to develop a vaccine. The problem is that after you test it on a person you have to leave them alone for a year or so to make that the vaccine doesn't kill them.

But Contagion told me it only takes one brave scientist to skip human trials and inject themselves with an experimental vaccine and the pandemic will be over.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

But Contagion told me it only takes one brave scientist to skip human trials and inject themselves with an experimental vaccine and the pandemic will be over.

That brave scientist's name? Wikus van de Merwe

[MoneyGuy]

I put the chance we have a season at 35%. Others?

[djsFlames]

40% that we have a training camp then playoffs without fans. I think the 24 team idea would be good.

80% on hockey in October

[troutman]

I'd be fine with no playoffs this season. We weren't going to win it, so I don't want anyone else to win either.

[Resolute 14]

They will definitely play in empty arenas if that's the best they can do. It would still generate some revenue, albeit only a fraction.

The problem is that the feasibility of it is poor right now.

[FlamesAddiction]

It will all depend on if a viable vaccine can be developed, and when it can be manufactured in massive quantities.

Right now, it will probably be several months at least.

It would be stupid to flatten the curve and see cases decrease, just start everything back in October for the cold and flu season to resume.

This is why many pandemics throughout history come in waves. People go back to their old ways much sooner than they should and the disease spikes again.

[Press Level]

If the pandemic goes on for that long, the economic catastrophe that will go with it will make attending pro sports events a distant dream for most people.



Also, don't be surprised if the Panthers, Coyotes and Hurricanes are no longer in the league when it resumes play, under that scenario.

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by troutman

I'd be fine with no playoffs this season. We weren't going to win it, so I don't want anyone else to win either.

But we'll have to deal with Oilers fans thinking they're the 1994 Expos.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by pepper24

But we'll have to deal with Oilers fans thinking they're the 1994 Expos.

Yeah, we need some form of playoffs to dispell this fantasy and see it explode in Staples' face.

I hope we don't have to wait a year for that big serving of crow.