Players’ families force NHL’s hand to get them in the bubble!

No one is asking you to feel sorry for the players of the National Hockey League players who are currently fighting for the Stanley Cup in two bubble cities far from their families, but you have to admit, it probably isn’t easy, especially now that we approach the Conference finals. The guys are trapped in a hotel room, waiting to play games, without seeing their loved one, being home with their wives and kids and taking a break from the tough competition between games.

That’s why the players’ families are pushing to get inside the bubble. As TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug revealed on Tuesday, “according to league sources NHL/NHLPA are actively engaged with the Public Health Agency of Canada working on a protocol for families to enter the country. A timeline is yet to be determined. It’s unknown if this can happen in time for the Conference finals or not, as the government holds the hammer on this issue. Families may be able to travel on commercial flights, but could be subject to longer quarantines if they do so. Quarantines on arrival would likely be at a separate hotel, before families join players. Families would be subject to testing protocol in their current city before travel is permitted to Edmonton. This protocol could be similar in nature to what the players and staff adhered to at the end of phase 3. A draft proposal on all of this is currently in front of the PHAC.”

Thread here on family involvement in NHL playoffs

according to league sources NHL/NHLPA are actively engaged with the Public Health Agency of Canada working on a protocol for families to enter the country. A timeline is yet to be determined.../
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) September 1, 2020

As we’ve mentioned above, the Conference finals will get underway in the coming week. We wonder how fast this process will go. More and more players are feeling down with this whole bubble life. On Tuesday, Dallas Stars’ Radek Faksa mentioned how it felt like a “long, long road trip.”

"It's like a long, long road trip." - Radek Faksa of @DallasStars on bubble life.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 1, 2020

And we still don’t know if something will be done in time as well for families to join the players who reached the Stanley Cup finals.

Can you imagine if the NHL proposes to get the 2020-21 campaign going in another bubble setting like it’s been rumoured to be discussed by the league and the Players’ Association?!

Whew…