Wayne Gretzky comments on the likelihood of the NHL returning this season.

I must admit that I am rapidly losing my optimism regarding a potential return to action this season for the National Hockey League, but it seems like every single time I am ready to finally give up home we get another glimmer of sunshine in the darkness. The latest glimmer of hope comes courtesy of none other than Wayne Gretzky himself, arguably the most influential player in the history of the sport and of course a man with many, many ties to the National Hockey League. 

Gretzky spoke with the Associated Press over the weekend and one of the questions at the forefront of that discussion was regarding the NHL's 2019 - 2020 regular season which has been put on hold due to the current situation around the globe. Gretzky was very forthright in his assessment of the situation and I must admit I was genuinely surprised at just how much optimism was coming from The Great One on this topic. Gretzky made it clear he feels the NHL will resume, and perhaps even resume soon.

“I really believe somehow, someway, that the leadership in this country and in Canada, that we’re going to figure this out,” Gretzky said as per the AP. “And I really believe that we’ll see hockey and some sort of other sports in June, July and August, albeit in a different way, but I really see it coming to fruition. I think it’s going to happen.”

Gretzky of course was not speaking in an official capacity here but again, there is no doubt that he has his finger on the pulse of what the league is doing at all times given his status as the sports most legendary player. That being said The Great One did leave room for error, but even when hedging his bets he was rather optimistic about the whole situation.

“Maybe I’m wrong,” he said. “Maybe I’m too optimistic. I think I’m not. I hope that that’s a good sign for everyone that we’re moving on in life, in business, in sports. I really see in the next couple months something good happening.”

Here is to hoping that he is right.