NHL extends players’ self-isolation period

This just in according to NHL insider Darren Dreger of TSN, the league has extended its “self isolation period” for players until April 15th, an additional week and a half.

Check it out:

NHL has extended teams self isolation period to April 15th.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 31, 2020

This is the second time that the league has extended its mandated self isolation period, first quarantining players until March 27th and then April 4th. Now the players are expected to remain in quarantine for another two weeks.

So the first NHL guidelines for self-isolation was for March 27, then April 4, now April 15. https://t.co/NZVGAdrwuS
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 31, 2020

State of the world, plus local isolation guidelines make it almost impossible for the NHL to lawfully open team facilities. https://t.co/aumCTWR7s6
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 31, 2020

Is this just a harbinger of things to come? With the worst of COVID-19 still expected to hit the United States, are we just delaying a cancellation of the entire season?

According to Los Angeles Kings insider John Hoven, the Kings have reportedly removed the ice from their home rink at Staples Center.

Check it out:

FWIW - Heard the ice is being taken out of Staples Center today. Ice was also recently removed in Ontario.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) March 30, 2020

For what it’s worth, several other NHL teams have followed the Kings’ lead in removing their ice. Is this a sign of things to come? Could we be on the precipice of a cancelled 2019-20 NHL season? Well… maybe.

The fact is that NHL arena workers can produce NHL quality ice in a pretty condensed time-frame so it makes sense for arenas to have their ice removed at this time. With speculation that the NHL will be off for AT LEAST another month, it makes no sense for teams to pay for facilities that they won’t be using. If an ice crew can get a rink ready in a weekend, why have the ice sitting around unused for a month and a half?

Then again… maybe there’s more than meets the eye here. After all, it’s expected that NHL players will have some sort of “mini-camp” to participate in before jumping back into games, so they’ll need ice.

Things that make you go, “Hmmmm….”