NHL and NHLPA release official statement on resuming 2019-20 season

In case you missed it yesterday, TSN hockey insiders Frank Seravalli and Darren Dreger both reported that the NHL was planning to return to action in the “mid to later portion of May.”

Check it out:

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In memo to players and teams today, NHL says it “may be able - provided we continue to trend favorably” move to Phase 2 and open facilities in “mid-to-later portion of May.”

Players currently outside of club city should “consider whether to plan to return to their Club cities.”

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NHL and NHLPA have a scheduled call today.  Self quarantine extension and hopeful initiation of phase 2 likely discussed. Can’t see the players agreeing to any restart plan that doesn’t include family time. All of the above governed by health authorities.

Then the NHL and NHLPA weighed in on the speculation with an official statement effectively confirming the reports.

Check it out:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK/TORONTO (April 29, 2020) – Following the NHL/NHLPA Return to Play Committee’s meeting today, and in line with guidance provided by medical experts and national and local authorities, the NHLPA and the NHL issued the following statement regarding the continuing pause in the 2019-20 season: 

Despite numerous reports and speculation over the last several days, the NHL and the NHLPA have not made any decisions or set a timeline for possible return to play scenarios.

Given recent developments in some NHL Clubs’ local communities, we are now looking ahead to a Phase 2 of the transition period that would follow the currently recommended Phase 1 period of “self-quarantine” by Players and Hockey Staff.

The precise date of transition to Phase 2, during which Players might return to small group activities in NHL Club training facilities, remains undetermined. However, provided that conditions continue to trend favorably – and, subject to potential competitive concerns as between disparately situated markets – we believe we may be able to move to Phase 2 at some point in the mid-to-later portion of May. Specific guidelines governing Player and Hockey Staff activity would be provided at that time. In the meantime, we expect Players and Hockey Staff to continue to adhere to the recommended guidelines put in place when the season was paused on March 12.

The Return to Play Committee will continue to meet regularly.

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That "mid to later portion of May" is referenced again in the NHL and NHLPA's official statement. This bodes well, hockey fans. Hopefully we can get through the next two-three weeks without any serious rise in COVID-19 cases and these boys can get back on the ice.