NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman today said that the league will resume play under a 24-team playoff format when the “go-ahead from medical experts and relevant government authorities is given.” The remaining seven teams “will enter the draft lottery.” Bettman -- in an announcement that aired on NBCSN, NHL Network, TVA Sports, Sportsnet and league digital platforms -- said the NHL will “conduct the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in two hub cities” to be announced at a later date. Each hub city -- one for each conference -- will have “secure arenas, practice facilities, hotels and local transportation for our players, coached and essential staff.” Bettman expects clubs “will be permitted to travel a maximum of 50 personnel to their hub city.” Comprehensive testing “will be in place” in both cities.
Clubs going to hub cities would mark Phase 4; the league expects Phase 2 (end of self-quarantine) to begin in early June and Phase 3 (opening formal training camps) to start no sooner than July. For the purpose of statistics, records and awards, Bettman said the ’19-20 regular season “has been deemed to be completed” (NHL.com, 5/26).
Over the weekend, the league released a memo stating guidelines for Phase 2, which inluded requiring all teams to appoint a Facility Hygiene Officer. According to the weekend memo, he or she “will be responsible for overseeing, implementing and ensuring compliance with all aspects” of Phase 2. Others leagues like the NBA have adopted a similar practice. Each team must inform the NHL and NHLPA by this Friday who its Facility Hygiene Officer and infectious disease expert are (Mark Burns, Staff Writer).
