NHL to enforce “social distancing” and no-fighting rules when play resumes

None of know exactly when the NHL will return, but reports seem to indicate that the league is planning to resume the 2019-20 season at some point and hand out the Stanley Cup later this summer. Beyond that though, there's not much we know.

One thing is clear though: when the NHL does resume, things are going to be very, very different.

TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug recently caught up with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and brought up the prospects of resuming play with some “modifications to the game” such as:

• Full face shields 
• No fighting
• No after whistle scrums or face-washing
• Coaches wearing masks on the bench
• Social distancing between opposing wingers on face-offs
• No spitting 

To his credit, Daly didn’t confirm or deny any of these rules in principle, saying simply, “We would consider anything our infectious disease experts and advisors might recommend.” So, the above list can't really be taken as a "laundry list" of items that the league must enforce, it rather serves as more of a guideline for the league as they attempt to figure out the best way to resume play.

Really though... let's get real. Social distancing on face-offs? What does that accomplish? The moment the puck is dropped the players will be on top of each other trying to get into position. What purpose does it serve in a game like hockey where the players positioning changes so frequently and players are in close contact with each other at any given moment?

No fighting allowed? Not sure I like that at ALL. Take fighting out of the game and I’m willing to bet the NHL drags its heels on allowing it back into the game. Very tough to unring that bell. This is the one rule I'd be most wary of changing.

More than that though... arguably the best moments of the 2019-20 NHL season so far have been the result of fisticuffs. The Battle of Alberta rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames simply doesn't have the fire it does it the players aren't allowed to drop the gloves and settle things like men.

Imagine Tkachuk has no recourse and can't own up to Kassian during their second meeting this season? Oh... and forget about this:

I'm warning you... take fighting away and it'll be damn near impossible to get it back.

No scrums? Good luck with that. You touch my goalie and I’ll be in your face.

Full face shields? I’d love to see a prototype, but the full face shields that currently exist wouldn’t prevent the spread of anything. The full "fishbowl bubble" face shields that children and beer league players use all have ventilation holes at the bottom to ensure that they don't fog up. Remember when Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara was forced to wear one during the Stanley Cup Final last year?

In any case, these are all interesting topics of discussion. Thoughts?