Toronto Raptors put into quarantine, Leafs to follow?

For the latest updates from the NHL as it relates to the coronavirus and the potential suspension or cancellation of the 2019-20 season, read our up to date article here.

According to a report from NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, MLSE the parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors have placed the players and employees of the NBA's Raptors into quarantine for two weeks amid coronavirus outbreak fears. 

Check it out:

Don't be surprised if the Leafs players and employees end up under a similar order later today. Standby for more up to the minute information.

Again, the NHL has not yet released an official statement regarding the cancellation of their season, just saying last night that a decision will come down today:

“The National Hockey League is aware of the NBA’s decision tonight to indefinitely suspend its season due to a player testing positive for the coronavirus,” the league said in a release. “The NHL is continuing to consult with medical experts and is evaluating the options. We expect to have a further update (on Thursday).”

Stay tuned for more details on just exactly this will all play out, but last night's game between the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets may be the last that we as hockey fans see for the duration of the 2019-20 season. After the game Oilers captain Connor McDavid was clearly in shock with the news of the NBA's season cancellation.

“We just heard, it’s still a little fresh and we haven’t had time to digest or anything,” McDavid said after his team lost 4-2 to the Jets.

“Obviously it’s unfortunate, but public health and safety is a priority and it’s more important than any sporting event right now. The NHL is going to review and they will make a decision whether or not to keep playing, but it’s out of our hands.”

Teammate Darnell Nurse echoed his captain's statements. “Obviously the suspension of a season … that stinks for anyone,” said Nurse. “But you’ve got to put public safety and public health ahead of everything. I think obviously it’s an unfortunate situation but sport and lives are two things that are very different and you’ve got to worry about one over the other.”

“It hits you so hard," said Oilers head coach Dave Tippet. "I guess we just wait for that meeting tomorrow and see the direction they want to go,” he said. “It’s obviously not just a sports thing, it is a life thing. We’ll just follow the directive of the NHL and the NHLPA. It is kind of unprecedented. We will read and react as it comes along.

“There is a feeling of bewilderment. You understand that this is a world health crisis, but we have never gone through anything like this and there has been nothing that has affected the game like this. You understand when you are going through lockouts and things like that, that there is a business part of the game, but this is a health part of the game, a life part of the game.

“It affects everybody, not just sports. It is a turbulent time in the world and we will just have to deal with it as it comes.”