NHL officially launches plan to return in “mid to later portion of May”

UPDATE to our story below: TSN hockey insider Frank Seravalli has confirmed that the NHL intends to resume the 2019-20 season and that players can report to their teams 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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Read below for an official statement from the NHL and NHLPA:

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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According to a report from TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger, the NHL and NHLPA (Players’ Association) are expected to meet today (virtually) to discuss plans for resuming the 2019-20 season.

Check it out:

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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.

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Finally some positive news in the world!

Officially NHL players are to remain quarantined until tomorrow, but it’s expected that the league will extend that period until at least May 15th during today’s meeting. There are conflicting reports of the league returning to play in June, July or August but whenever they do make it back on the ice consider me ready, willing and able to watch some puck from the comfort of my living room couch.