NHL takes a controversial stance on games in China and coronavirus outbreak

The NHL hasn’t played exhibition games in China since 2018, but rumor around NHL media circles is that the league is planning to return to the country in 2020. Or… at least they WERE planning a return. The recent coronavirus outbreak in the country is forcing the league to rethink their plans.

“We’re monitoring,” Deputy Commissioner Daly said while attending the game between the Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets at Capital One Arena on Tuesday. “It’s hard not to monitor it. It seems to be coming closer to us every time, every day that goes by. Certainly, it impacts what our plans will be in China in the future and in the relatively near future.”

So… no games then? Not quite.

“Obviously we haven’t announced any games there for next year,” Deputy Commissioner Daly sad. “I think there was certainly a hope that we would be able to play preseason games there next year. I would say that hope probably continues to exist, but as time goes on, it becomes far more problematic.”

Why not just go ahead and cancel the games outright? Is the NHL really comfortable shipping off their athletes to a country that’s in the midst of a pandemic?