Under the plan to restart, teams will be responsible for testing their players and staff membersGETTY IMAGES
The NHL is facing "many issues, some complicated, that need to be settled" to put on a 24-team, two-city tournament, but the most important step the league "must confront to move forward is ... figuring out how to execute a coronavirus testing protocol for players, staff and family members," according to David Waldstein of the N.Y. TIMES. Under the NHL's phased plan to restart, individual teams will be "responsible for testing their players and staff members when voluntary workouts at the clubs' home practice facilities begin, which could be as early as next month." Once teams report to one of two hub cities for playoff games, the NHL will "take over testing and its costs." Commissioner Gary Bettman said that costs will "run into the millions of dollars." Selection of the hub cities currently is "on hold" as the league "tries to assess infection rates and travel restrictions with input from health officials and local government" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/28).
LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE GAMES: In Massachusetts, Mike Loftus notes it "could be as long as two months before play begins, which is Phase 4 of the NHL's plan." Next up is Phase 2, which "involves teams reopening facilities to players who, on a voluntary basis, can begin to skate and work out in groups of no more than six players." If that phase is "successful," Phase 3 "calls for training camps to commence in the 24 still-active markets." Bettman on Tuesday said that he "didn't see camps opening before July 1" (Quincy PATRIOT LEDGER, 5/28).
POWER MOVE: CBSSN's Adam Schein said Bettman has been "absolutely brilliant" in coming up with a plan for return and how he presented it this week. Schein: "He was sensitive to what’s going on in the United States and in Canada. Health and safety first and foremost. You could tell that this was well-thought out." One could also "tie it in with the chaos and the nonsense and the ambiguity and the anger with Major League Baseball." MLB is currently "striking out," while Bettman and the NHL "hit a home run!” (“Time to Schein,” CBSSN, 5/27). NBCSN's Keith Jones noted both the NHLPA and the NHL and their owners "have done a very good job of having these discussions, keeping them private and emphasizing the health of the players and their families as the most important aspect of this return potentially happening.” Jones: “It’s refreshing. The last thing you want to have is discussions under these circumstances that are dealing with finances" ("Lunch Talk Live," NBCSN, 5/27).
HUB DREAMS: In Toronto, Lance Hornby writes the city and the Maple Leafs are "high up the list of potential hub cities." Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan said, "We've put together a pretty comprehensive program we think would involve that kind of safety. But those are decisions the NHL will make. I don't think that will be made overnight or the next few days." Hornby writes while Toronto has the arenas, hotels and the league's Canadian office, there "must be testing capability for up to 50 people for each team at the Leafs’ cost -- and no cutting corners at the expense of citizens." That is "already a concern, given the Ontario government's own testing goals have fallen short, especially in the GTA, and there is a current 14-day Canadian government quarantine for anyone arriving from the U.S, or overseas" (TORONTO SUN, 5/28).
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS: In Pittsburgh, Matt Vensel writes the Penguins organization "liked its chances" when submitting a bid for Pittsburgh to serve as a hub city. The club "pointed to three things they hope will put them over the top: modern hockey facilities, experience hosting major events and their partnership with health-care giant UPMC." Additionally, the fact that Pittsburgh is "not currently a COVID-19 hot spot is also a critical factor" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/28).
