Sport-Scan Daily Brief

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 5/26/2020 Anaheim Ducks Los Angeles Kings 1185216 NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next 1185245 NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next return phase return phase Arizona Coyotes Minnesota Wild 1185217 Birth of the Kachina: The colorful story behind the Phoenix 1185246 NHL looking to open team facilities to players soon Coyotes' unique, Southwest branding 1185247 Misunderstood NHLPA vote: Many hurdles remain before 1185218 NHL targets June to allow for voluntary, individualized next vote on Return to Play workouts 1185219 Shane Doan recounts Rangers sending a helicopter to Montreal Canadiens pick him up 1185248 Canadiens Hall of Famer Bob Gainey auctions off 1185220 Alumni player poll: A baker’s dozen worth of opinions personal memorabilia 1185249 Price check: 5 reasons Montreal could win a play-in, Boston Bruins besides goaltending 1185221 NHL issues guidelines for players to practice in groups of 1185250 An unprecedented experiment gone right: The inside story six of the 2010 Canadiens 1185222 A year ago at this time, all we cared about was the Bruins’ shot at the Stanley Cup New Jersey Devils 1185223 NHL’s safety protocols are sobering 1185251 National Hockey League Edges Toward Restart With 1185224 NHL announces hope to start Phase 2 on-ice practices in Detailed Plans June 1185252 NHL players to return to the ice in small groups in early June Buffalo Sabres 1185225 Strange But True: Weird tales from the Sabres' 50 New York Islanders seasons 1185253 Phase 2 of NHL’s restart plan details voluntary small- group workouts Carolina Hurricanes 1185254 NHL targeting early June for team practice facilities to 1185226 Canes opposed 24-team NHL return to play format but are reopen eager to play 1185227 The Hurricanes want to play, but here’s why they voted New York Rangers ‘no’ on 24-team format 1185255 Phase 2 of NHL’s restart plan details voluntary small- group workouts Chicago Blackhawks 1185256 NHL players to return to the ice in small groups in early 1185228 Having the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs — no June matter how they got there — is good for hockey 1185257 NHL targeting early June for team practice facilities to 1185229 NHL plans to open practice facilities and have small group reopen workouts early next month 1185230 Blackhawks can soon begin small workouts as NHL plans Ottawa Senators first move out of coronavirus shutdown 1185258 The end of the season wasn't picture perfect for the 1185231 NHL Phase 2 target time and guidelines firming up for Ottawa Senators Return to Play 1185259 NHL aiming for early June for Phase 2, teams face severe 1185232 Dave Bolland made another monumental play in 2013 repercussions if rules not followed playoffs before '17 Seconds' 1185233 Ever wonder how "Chelsea Dagger" became the Philadelphia Flyers Blackhawks' goal song? 1185260 NHL releases plans for small-group workouts in early 1185234 Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Corey Crawford June; season could start in July 1185235 I spent $1,000 on autographed baseballs — here’s how 1185261 NHL releases detailed protocol for Phase 2 in potential you can win them step toward resuming 2019-20 season 1185262 NHL players to return to the ice in small groups in early Colorado Avalanche June 1185236 Inside the cult classic that was ‘Sports Night’ with those who knew it well Pittsburgh Penguins 1185263 NHL aims to allow limited workouts in ‘early June’ Columbus Blue Jackets 1185264 Penguins A to Z: Few players are as useful as Jared 1185237 Memo outlines ‘phase 2’ of NHL’s return to team activities McCann 1185238 Rob Oller | Columbus Blue Jackets winning Stanley Cup 1185265 Relive Penguins’ 1st Stanley Cup from May 25, 1991 would dispel all caveats 1185266 NHL issues ‘Phase 2’ guidelines of return-to-play efforts Dallas Stars San Jose Sharks 1185239 Here’s what Phase 2 of the NHL’s plan to restart the 1185267 The best Bay Area teams that fell short of winning a title season means for the Dallas Stars 1185240 LeBrun: Former Stars coach Jim Montgomery on his firing, alcoholism and recovery 1185241 How the NHL handles immigration and what it means for the Return to Play plan Detroit Red Wings 1185242 Here are where Detroit Red Wings stand, 11 weeks into coronavirus quarantine 1185243 NHL close to opening practice facilities, allowing small group workouts 1185244 Is ‘happy medium’ possible if quarantining takes NHL players away from families? St Louis Blues 1185268 NHL gives green light for teams to begin small-group workouts in early June 1185269 'You're not alone' — no shame in mental stress for athletes, especially during pandemic 1185270 After hockey, original Blue Ecclestone found his calling in food Toronto Maple Leafs 1185271 Isolating away from family a ‘hot topic’ as NHL plots return 1185272 Only six players will be allowed in team facilities at one time for the voluntary workouts, and no on-ice coac 1185273 Leafs' prospect Scott staying positive as he diligently rehabs from hip surgery 1185274 Mind over matter: The gift that defines Maple Leafs prospect Nick Abruzzese Vancouver Canucks 1185283 Ben Kuzma: Phase 2 of NHL return to play protocol peppered with 'ifs' and 'buts' 1185284 Willes' Musings: Don't sweat the small stuff, just celebrate the return of NHL hockey Vegas Golden Knights 1185275 Golden Knights now 6-1 co-favorites to win Stanley Cup 1185276 NHL sends memo outlining framework for Phase Two of return 1185277 Memo: NHL targeting early June to bring players back in COVID-19 reboot Washington Capitals 1185278 Capitals Greatest Hits: How to watch Evgeny Kuznetsov's series-winning goal 1185279 NHL releases framework, but no date, for players' return to team facilities 1185280 How the 24-team playoff both helps and hurts the Capitals Websites 1185285 The Athletic / Misunderstood NHLPA vote: Many hurdles remain before next vote on Return to Play 1185286 The Athletic / Key points of the NHL’s Phase 2 protocols for small group workouts 1185287 The Athletic / How the NHL handles immigration and what it means for the Return to Play plan 1185288 The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Please enjoy this rerun from January 1980 1185289 Sportsnet.ca / NHLers face new normal as league prepares to ramp up toward return to play 1185290 TSN.CA / Searching for the NHL version of Jordan and Pippen Winnipeg Jets 1185281 One and done, son 1185282 NHL releases Phase 2 of return-to-sport plan; expects early June roll out World Leagues News 1185291 National Hockey League Edges Toward Restart With Detailed Plans 1185292 Sport Fishing Is Back In New Jersey, But Be Prepared For Social Distancing Guidelines On Boats 1185293 Blackhawks can soon begin small workouts as NHL plans first move out of coronavirus shutdown 1185294 NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next return phase 1185295 NWSL plans to be first American sports league back, but some USWNT players might not be on board 1185296 UFC makes changes to coronavirus protocol, including stricter self-isolation policy 1185297 Skiing in Colorado to resume amid coronavirus pandemic 1185298 China's football team 'more united' under coronavirus

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1185216 Anaheim Ducks place somewhere other than their team’s home city return in time to participate in Phase 2.

The protocol calls for voluntary non-contact skates with no coaches or NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next return phase skating coaches or other club employees participating. Players who An empty hockey arena. participate in Phase 2 won’t be allowed to work out or skate at other locations. Physical distancing will be required in the locker room and weight room. In addition, the protocol said, “Players shall be encouraged to shower at home wherever possible,” and they must leave their workout By HELENE ELLIOTTSPORTS COLUMNIST MAY 25, 20209:44 AM clothes and anything they used during their workout at the facility. UPDATED 9:57 AM At each session only one athletic trainer, one strength and conditioning

coach, one equipment manager, up to two locker room attendants, one The NHL and NHL Players’ Assn. issued a careful and sobering plan for team physician and one goalie coach are permitted to be present. the next phase of a return to play, vowing to put the health of players and Players won’t be permitted to use hot and cold tubs, saunas, or steam club personnel first but acknowledging the joint directive regarding rooms and they have been advised not to carpool or take public reopening clubs’ training facilities to small groups of players and requiring transportation to a club facility. Shared meals are banned but teams can temperature checks, enhanced sanitary procedures and other measures provide prepackaged individual meals that players can take home with “while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk” of contracting them. Massage therapists, agents, chiropractors, players’ family COVID-19. members and media are among those prohibited from entering club facilities during Phase 2. All personnel must wear face coverings except In a 22-page document released early Monday, the league and the union while exercising. said the next phase in resuming operations will begin in early June and will be in effect for an undetermined amount of time. The NHL paused its Updated cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be observed by each season on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, they team before their facilities reopen and each team must appoint a Club agreed on the general outline of a 24-team playoff format and agreed to Facility Hygiene Officer to oversee sanitizing procedures. continue negotiating specific terms of the revised format for the Stanley “As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the Players and Club Cup playoffs. Five members of the Ottawa Senators and three members personnel is our top priority,” the memo said. It also requested clubs of the Colorado Avalanche are known to have tested positive for COVID- respond to the memo with details about their ability to implement the 19. newly required procedures and an estimated timing for each club to be in Under the terms of the Phased Return to Sport Protocol, a maximum of position to open its training facility. six players will be allowed in a club’s practice facility at one time in LA Times: LOADED: 05.26.2020 addition to a limited number of designated club personnel. Not all club personnel will be permitted to interact with players. Anyone who plans to visit a club training facility must undergo testing 48 hours in advance and receive a negative test result. All club personnel must participate in a remote educational meeting before Phase 2 begins, and all players will undergo a medical examination that checks for “any co-morbidities that may carry increased risk with COVID-19 infection” before participating in any activities.

Concept of NHL’s proposal to resume play is approved by players’ association

Clubs were told to contact local health authorities to determine whether asymptomatic players and personnel are eligible for such tests, “provided that doing so does not take testing resources away from Publicly Necessary Testing.” If testing isn’t available, players and personnel would have to self-quarantine for 14 days before they could use training facilities, unless they can certify they had already served a 14-day quarantine.

Those who want to use club facilities must undergo temperature checks not more than two hours before they enter the facility and each club must administer a temperature check at the entrance to the facility. Club personnel who don’t have access to players also must undergo temperature checks before entering the building.

Those who develop symptoms of the novel coronavirus will be classified as unfit to play and won’t be permitted to practice or play. Clubs would have to carry out contact tracing. An isolated case wouldn’t lead to “widescale” quarantine of a club but anyone who came into contact with a player who tested positive is subject to testing.

Some players who traveled overseas to wait out the suspension of play might be required to spend 14 days in self-quarantine if local authorities have imposed that rule. “Even if not imposed by the local health authorities, such individuals returning to the Club’s home city by public transportation, including commercial air or rail travel must serve a 14-day self quarantine period post-travel before engaging in training activities at their club’s facility,” the memo said. “In addition, Club Medical personnel may impose a 14-day quarantine on Players and permitted Personnel returning to the Club’s home city from a high-risk environment, even if they are not traveling via public transportation.”

“I think we were trying to find things that would demonstrate the heritage of the people that were represented here in Arizona,” Fisher said. “David Richard Morin, Arizona Republic Published 8:00 a.m. MT May 25, 2020 was a New York guy and had never seen a Kachina before, so we felt like maybe we should push down that direction.”

The production The late Steve Weston said it best when he covered the Coyotes’ original logo reveal for The Republic on April 8, 1996, writing that “if anyone In Arizona, Haney met Shawn Hunter, who was the team’s first president expected a logo that looked something like Wile E. Coyote of cartoon and was tasked with facilitating the branding process with Haney. It was fame or the overdone Southwest artist’s figure of a coyote — a an easy relationship since the two had just worked together on the handkerchief tied around his neck, howling against the background of a Colorado Avalanche’s logo design the year prior, when the Quebec full moon on the desert — that person will be disappointed.” Nordiques relocated to Denver.

Indeed, those expecting anything traditional upon the original Winnipeg The message from the NHL on the Phoenix branding was clear: No Jets’ relocation to Phoenix prior to the 1996-97 season were sorely angry animals. Two teams, the San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers, mistaken. Instead, Valley residents were treated to a truly unique logo — were newcomers to the league in the few years prior and both used logos an almost abstract rendition of a Kachina figure as a hockey-playing with semi-realistic animals in aggressive positions. The league wanted coyote — to go along with a distinctive set of branding they could call that trend to stop with Phoenix. their own. Greg Fisher's personal renderings of the Coyotes' logos, including what Almost a quarter-century later, it’s a design that has endured through a potential jerseys could look like. sports landscape that recycles and retires logos with alarming frequency. In Arizona, where it has remained a fan favorite, the design won Once the team had settled on “Coyotes,” the design process began. azcentral sports’ bracket challenge that garnered over 13,000 votes on From those early meetings with Haney and Hunter, Fisher knew the Twitter to name the greatest Arizona sports logo of all time. Kachina was a subject of interest. Mike Campbell, one of Fisher's partners at the time, remembers being the driving force behind designing The inspiration the coyote head and that Fisher was the brain behind the Kachina-style body. David Haney can’t remember the first time he saw a Kachina doll. All he knows is how fascinated he was by it. Visiting Arizona for the first time in Fisher remembers the NHL’s reaction at his first draft of the completed his life, Haney, then the NHL’s creative director, traveled to the desert to Kachina logo. meet with Coyotes’ leadership. “It was a very intricate logo and very detailed for that time,” Fisher said. Kachina dolls, such as this one made by Finkle Sahmie, a Hopi Tewa “It was a completely different look. The league came back and said, from Polaca, Ariz., served as inspiration for those working on the ‘Whoa, this is never gonna fly.’ They thought it was too many colors and Coyotes' branding. too many things going on, so we just kept working to simplify it so it could work on a sweater.” At that point, the Coyotes weren’t actually the Coyotes yet. There was a contest to name the team, and it had been narrowed down to two choices Eventually, Fisher and his team settled on a color palette for the Kachina — the Coyotes or Scorpions. The NHL took a vested interest in teams’ design and simplified it enough for submission. branding, with Haney and Fred Scalera, then in charge of the NHL’s worldwide licensing, spearheading the effort from the league’s “We all identified the Kachina as the most distinctive and most perspective. representative of the Southwest,” Hunter said. “If we were going to do something bold and different, which we were, that was it. The first time I During what was a transitional time for the league, NHL Commissioner saw that creative direction, I knew that was it. Just a ton of credit goes to Gary Bettman wanted the league to have a “national footprint,” Haney Greg, who was a creative force on that logo. I just remember the process said, relaying that the NHL had a desire to do something different with being fun and pretty easy.” Phoenix’s branding. An alternate design concept for the Phoenix Coyotes, featuring a As he searched for inspiration and took in the new surroundings, watermark for Valentine Design, a company in Minnesota. something caught Haney’s eye as he perused the gift shop at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Added Haney: “Greg was terrific and his designs were fantastic. We moved along in that way, not without our bumps and bruises, to get to the “We get so used to seeing the things around us and what they look like,” end result. It is kind of like hockey. To get to the front of the net, you have Haney said. “When fresh eyes come in, they can provide an outside to take your lumps.” perspective. One of the things I was intrigued about … was that Kachina doll, which had an interesting design and rich cultural history.” The final result was a coyote figure in a Kachina style, standing on ice stakes and holding a hockey stick. The head of the coyote was half- Greg Fisher shows off early designs for the Arizona Coyotes brand in his covered in an old-school goalie mask, asymmetrically drawn to form a design agency in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 18, 2020. Fisher and his team loose "A" shape for Arizona. Under the coyote are the words “Phoenix” are behind some of the brands for the biggest teams in Arizona including and “Coyotes” stacked on top of one another and placed on a black the Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Mercury, Rattlers and more. background that creates the illusion of a hockey puck.

Greg Fisher shows off early designs for the Arizona Coyotes brand in his Taylor Burke, son of Richard Burke and the Coyotes’ assistant general design agency in Phoenix, Ariz. on May 18, 2020. Fisher and his team manager in the early days, remembers other early contenders for the are behind some of the brands for the biggest teams in Arizona including team’s original logo, including one design of an animated coyote that the Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Mercury, Rattlers and more. didn’t make the cut.

The NHL had identified Phoenix-based design firm Campbell Fisher Haney said it was typical for the NHL to hire multiple firms in the early Ditko, and more specifically artist Greg Fisher, as the one to actually stages for initial designs and concepts, although he doesn’t recall any create the logo. Fisher had a prior business relationship with Jerry specific submissions, including the one provided by Burke which has a Colangelo, who played an instrumental role in bringing NHL hockey to watermark for Valentine Design, a large branding company based in Arizona along with original Coyotes owners Richard Burke and Steven Minnesota. Gluckstern. “The most obvious thing to do at that time in the ‘90s would have been “You had the guy who had that good local knowledge,” Scalera said of that cartoon coyote,” Fisher said, “but we said that was a little too on the Fisher. “He understood some of the do’s and dont’s of sports. … That nose for us. The Kachina turned out to be a great way to illustrate was a nice advantage, to have people there who really got it.” everything. It’s had a great life of its own, and I’m excited for that.” The reception “There has always been a crazy secondary market for it,” Fisher said of the Kachina merchandise. “I’m a designer and I’ve designed a lot of Prior to team and city officials revealing the branding in a five-hour brands in many markets, but this thing has become its own beast and ceremony on April 8, 1996 at America West Arena in Phoenix, the has its own cult in the sports logo world, which I think is really cool.” designs were brought before Hopi leadership by the NHL, which was in line with league policy at the time. The Coyotes’ throwback nights were so popular with fans it spurred the team to adopt the old Kachina sweater, with slight modifications, as its Haney remembers it being a smooth process and that Hopi officials were official third jersey prior to the 2018-19 season. The team dons the “more than fine” with the logo, but the initial reception by fans was mixed classic sweaters for Saturday home games and other special occasions. when the world got its first glimpse at the Kachina coyote. The Coyotes also have been utilizing the Kachina logo in various The Coyotes' logo reveal as it appeared in The Arizona Republic on April marketing and public relations campaigns as well. Both Phil Kessel and 9, 1996. Taylor Hall, two marquee players brought to Arizona via trade in the last “What a dog,” one fan told The Republic’s Bob McManaman, who was year, were introduced with Kachina jerseys at their respective press also covering the event that night. “Why couldn’t they have come up with conferences. a better name or a better-looking picture?” The Coyotes introduced Phil Kessel with a Kachina-style jersey instead For the NHL and the rest of the sports world, the Kachina logo was a of their primary home sweater. relatively sophisticated and obscure design. And while most Valley Scalera remembers how the Buffalo Sabres eventually returned to their residents embraced it with zeal, it left others outside Arizona scratching original logo after 15 years of tinkering with different, modernized their heads. Just what were they looking at? designs. He wonders whether the Coyotes are headed down the same “I think in general it was positive,” Hunter said of the initial reaction. “You path. probably had some hockey traditionalists take a deep breath and a step “The fans just wanted to go back to the one they remembered,” Scalera back, but for a new team in a new market, especially a non-traditional said of the Sabres’ branding timeline. “They had gone through three or market, I think it was received well.” four iterations of it and eventually came back to where it began. Maybe But even after the Coyotes lifted the curtain on its various designs, which there’s a little bit of that same feeling out in Phoenix for that original one included a crescent moon to resemble a “C” as well as a three- and the uniqueness of it.” dimensional hockey puck as a secondary logo, there was still the matter Still, whichever logo the Coyotes choose to use, there is little doubt the of creating the actual jerseys, which elicited some varying opinions from Kachina still occupies a special place in the hearts of Valley residents. the designers. “Characters in sports identities come and go,” Fisher said. “They’re “To be honest with you,” Fisher said, “the most controversial thing at the fashionable sometimes and then in other times they’re not fashionable. time for the sweater was that nobody liked the banding on the collars. Time changes the perspective. They thought it was too busy.” “... What is so cool about the Kachina is that it has not only endured, but The Coyotes as they appeared in the original Kachina uniforms. that it’s gotten popular again.”

Haney wanted the sweaters to only bear the coyote head as the jersey Thank you for subscribing. This premium content is made possible crest, while Hunter and the Coyotes lobbied for the entire coyote “to tell because of your continued support of local journalism. the whole story,” Hunter said. Eventually, Hunter and Haney, who had worked so tightly on the Avalanche designs in 1995, “agreed to Richard Morin covers the Coyotes disagree,” Haney said. Arizona Republic LOADED: 05.26.2020 Eventually, Haney got his wish when the Coyotes introduced a third jersey in 1998 that featured the isolated coyote head.

“For those inside the Valley,” Haney said, “this would become almost instantly recognizable. You see (Kachina figures) everywhere. But I think for those outside, they might have some vague familiarity with Arizona and the Southwest, and they would get the colors and the sort of native interpretation of the artwork.

“I think it might have been helpful for those outside, like a window into the Southwest culture. But the first thing we wanted to do is make this ownable and unique for NHL hockey in Arizona.”

The restitution

Despite the fact that the Kachina logo is undoubtedly the Coyotes’ most recognizable symbol, it was essentially closeted for about half of the team’s history, having been swapped out for a new logo and color scheme in 2003 and not touched again until 2015.

The Coyotes’ decision to change logos was understandable. The Burke family, which still resides in the Valley, sold the team to Steve Ellman in 2001, which led to a move to a new arena in Glendale just a few years later. As is common for professional sports teams, the Coyotes’ change of scenery came with a change in branding.

The Coyotes went with a more traditional look when they retired the Kachina logo in 2003.

The Kachina was replaced by a howling coyote head and designed by a separate firm. The red color was lightened slightly to what is commonly referred to as “Sedona red,” and the rust, green and purple were removed entirely. The Coyotes kept just one logo from Fisher’s package, the crescent moon, although the purple was replaced by red.

The Coyotes wore the howling coyote on various jerseys for a dozen years before pulling out of retirement the Kachina, a logo that had remained popular with vintage collectors and sports design enthusiasts. 1185218 Arizona Coyotes

NHL targets June to allow for voluntary, individualized workouts

BY ARIZONA SPORTS | MAY 25, 2020 AT 8:59 AM UPDATED: MAY 25, 2020 AT 1:48 PM

The National Hockey League issued a phased return to sport protocol that aims to resume individualized practices in June.

The league sent out a 22-page protocol that details the second phase of returning to play, which includes opening practice facilities.

“We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties,” a memo sent out to teams Sunday said.

Following a mandatory quarantine period, players will be allowed to return to their team’s training facility of voluntary small-group training activities both on and off the ice.

On-ice sessions will be non-contact and players will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities and when not able to physically distance, except for when they’re practicing/exercising.

The memo said that clubs do not have to bring players back to the team’s city to complete the quarantine requirement.

The NHL said it will work with teams to set up alternate arrangements if local health authorities will not allow such gatherings.

As far as testing, teams should make arrangements to have all players and personal tested ahead of activities and at least twice weekly if the testing is available in the region.

The final two phases of the return-to-play protocol — training camps followed by a resumption of play — were not mentioned in the memo.

On Friday, the National Hockey League Players’ Association collectively agreed on a return-to-play format that would have a 24-team playoff.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185219 Arizona Coyotes

Shane Doan recounts Rangers sending a helicopter to pick him up

BY MATT LAYMAN | MAY 24, 2020 AT 8:03 PM UPDATED: MAY 25, 2020 AT 1:58 PM

One of the key points in Shane Doan’s lasting legacy is that he played his entire career with one franchise.

Through thick and thin — sometimes, quite thin indeed — Doan remained the face of the Arizona Coyotes even when the team’s very existence seemed in danger. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have the opportunity to go elsewhere.

In joining Sportsnet’s 31 Thoughts podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek, Doan talked about once looking at Calgary and Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent, even to the point where he looked at houses. Later on, the New York Rangers went to some length to get Doan’s attention.

“The Rangers, it was actually during the lockout,” Doan said. “I’m doing kind of the negotiations and helping out with everything that’s going on during the lockout [in New York City]. And the Rangers called and were like, ‘Hey, would you want to come out and look at our practice facility?’ And I was like, ‘yeah, sure.'”

With him in New York were Doan’s kids, who were old enough to hang out at the hotel during the day while he was off dealing with CBA negotiations.

“They sent a helicopter and picked us up!” Doan said. “I was like, ‘What?’ I said, ‘Wait a minute, this isn’t even the same league that I play in. How are they doing this?’ So they sent a helicopter, picked us up at the airport, flew us to the practice facility, showed us around, came back. It was like, my kids, I’ve got pictures in the helicopter. It was amazing.

“We went to the Rangers and saw their practice facility, which was over the top and it’s incredible. Two days later, once it came out that I went to visit the Rangers, the Flyers called.”

Ultimately, Doan stayed in Arizona.

“The kids loved it. It was tempting. The Flyers is like a family atmosphere and the Rangers was like absolute corporate atmosphere,” Doan said. “It was really bizarre to see the difference and the feel between each organization.”

He cited family and his closeness with the support staff with the Coyotes as reasons for staying. He said he doesn’t regret one bit of his career, from that decision to the time he invested in helping keep the team in the Valley.

“Oh, without a doubt. But it’s worth it because people ask me about, ‘Do you have any regrets?’ No, none, zero,” Doan said. “It taught me so much more about the whole aspect of the game that it was incredible to understand the business side and see how that all works. But on top of it, I developed so many relationships and friendships. And I think that really is the most important part.

“I would never, ever change any of that because, hockey-wise, it was times where it was frustrating. But even hockey-wise, it was amazing, and I was treated way better than I ever deserved, way better than I ever thought I would be by the fans and the people here in the Valley.”

Arizona Sports LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185220 Arizona Coyotes Jeremy Roenick: I am living in Scottsdale and I am playing golf. I’ve been playing at Troon, been playing at Silverleaf, been playing at Whisper Rock.

Alumni player poll: A baker’s dozen worth of opinions Keith Tkachuk: I live in St. Louis and right now I’m working for the St. Louis Blues as director for player recruitment, which is basically trying to bring in college free agents. I love it. It gives me a chance to get back By Craig Morgan May 25, 2020 into it. I just started in 2015 after I took some time away. It keeps me busy.

Radim Vrbata: I live in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic. I am the sports The Athletic’s NHL and team player polls are wildly popular reads for director for BK Mlada Boleslav (pro team, youth program). fans. They offer insight on a variety of topics including the league, the dressing room, musical tastes and team personalities. Ray Whitney: I’m currently living in Scottsdale as you know, working for the NHL in the Department of Player Safety. With the NHL season on pause and access to Coyotes players somewhat limited, we reached out to an untapped polling audience: Viktor Tikhonov: I’m currently living in Kazan, Russia, playing hockey for Coyotes alumni. A couple of players we contacted were sadly unable to the local KHL team AK Bars. participate due to contractual constraints. The rest wholeheartedly agreed to participate, and we got a nice sampling of former players What do you miss most about playing in the NHL? across the Coyotes’ timeline, and from several nations. Aucoin: The locker room, the competition and the routine. I was lucky Here is the list of participants in our annual Coyotes alumni player poll. enough to play pro hockey for 20 years, so the travel got a little old near We’ll mix it up, or perhaps expand it in years to come: Adrian Aucoin; the end. Playing the best sport with the best people was truly a dream Brian Boucher; Danny Briere; Ilya Bryzgalov; Sean Burke; Mike Johnson; come true. Getting some aggression out while on the ice was always a Zbyněk Michálek; Teppo Numminen; Jeremy Roenick; Keith Tkachuk; bonus. Both the physical and mental activity was awesome. Not having a Radim Vrbata; Ray Whitney; and Viktor Tikhonov. Because they took the specific schedule was definitely an adjustment when I retired. time to answer all of our questions, we decided to include all of their Boucher: Being around the guys and celebrating wins with the guys. I responses. also miss the paycheck!

Where are you currently living and what are you doing? Briere: The relationships and hanging out with teammates and staff.

Adrian Aucoin: I live in Hinsdale, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. I Bryzgalov: Atmosphere. Everything was great. The way you practiced, am currently entertaining my five kids, due to the coronavirus. My oldest the way you played, the way you traveled, the hotels you stayed in, the daughter (Christina) is home from the University of Iowa. My oldest son food you ate. It was unbelievable. I don’t remember who said it but you (Kyle) is back from Nebraska where his junior league, the USHL, is shut have to do what you love and in that case you won’t have to work a day down. My high school daughter (Alyssa), my middle school boy in your life. Hockey players love what they are doing and also they are (Cameron) and my elementary school boy (Kaden), too. I have become a paid well. They are fortunate, like other professional sports. I really full-time youth hockey coach by coaching all three of my youngest kids’ appreciate the whole industry and the people who gave us that hockey teams while trying to catch as many of Kyle’s games as possible opportunity, who fill the stadiums and we always tried to play to the best and visiting Christina. Hence, a full-time dad. of our abilities to entertain them.

Brian Boucher: Newport, Rhode Island. I work for NBC Sports as an NHL Burke: I enjoyed and am appreciative of every minute I had in the NHL analyst. but I don’t really miss anything about playing at this point in life. It was Danny Briere: Philadelphia. I’m working for Comcast Spectacor, learning time to move on to other challenges and experiences. I am fortunate to the business side of the organization and also running an ECHL team in be able to stay in the game and hockey has always been great to me and Maine that Comcast Spectacor owns along with the Flyers (NHL), the my family. (Philadelphia) Wings (NLL) and the Wells Fargo Center. Johnson: The 15th and 30th of every month (payday). I miss the Ilya Bryzgalov: I live in Haddonfield, New Jersey. My daughter is in experience, both on and off the ice of being on a team and working rowing (Valery, 16), and I coach my son (Vladislav, 14) and help his together. I miss the journey of the group throughout the season. I miss team. I’m teaching the kids how to play hockey and right now, in the early the competition and the grind of trying to do your best. spring, I’m cleaning the backyard. Michálek: The things I miss the most about playing are like probably most Sean Burke: I am currently living in Scottsdale and Traverse City, guys would say: being part of the locker room, the camaraderie, fun, Michigan, in the summer. Professionally, I have been the general going through the ups and downs of a hockey season together with manager for a number of Team Canada’s men’s teams the last four teammates and having that feeling of pride. It’s a childhood dream years, including the 2018 Olympic team. I am also in my fourth year as a coming true of playing and competing in the best league in the world in pro scout for the Montreal Canadiens hockey club. Personally, I sold-out arenas with millions of people watching on TV. That feeling of remarried five years ago and my wife and I have five children between us winning and adrenaline flowing through my body is just so special. I including 5-year-old Hudson, who is keeping me young. My wife, Christy, absolutely loved every minute of it and I feel so grateful and lucky to have and I have stayed involved with a number of local charities including had such a nice and long career. I wouldn’t change it for anything. UMOM, Teen Lifeline and Sojourner House. I have been giving guitar Numminen: I think it’s the teammates and doing things as a group. That’s lessons to ex-hockey players and just finished reading my fourth novel on what you miss, the challenge to win as a group, take on the challenges the list of the Russian classics. as a group and get the group working together. And then all the time you Mike Johnson: I am living in Toronto and working in hockey media for a get to spend together on the road. When you’re done, you don’t have variety of companies: TSN, NHL Network, NBC and Sirius XM. that.

Zbyněk Michálek: I’m currently living with my family, wife and three kids Roenick: Everybody usually says the same old thing: being around the in Scottsdale. This is the first year of me not playing so I’m taking this boys and being in the locker rooms and that’s a given. For me, the one time to spend with my family and make up for times lost when I played thing I miss the most is being within the confines of the arena, being and traveled all the time. I’m helping coach my son’s youth hockey team inside the glass, being able to do what I loved the most, what I was best and supporting all my kids in whatever activities or sports they want to be at and entertain people while I was doing it. Whether I was playing or involved. throwing pucks to fans, or taking pictures with them through the glass or having fun with the people there, to be in an arena with 18,000 people Teppo Numminen: I live in Tampere, Finland, my hometown, with my surrounding you and you were on stage and had the ability to entertain wife and son and two daughters. This is our fifth year here. I’ve been with and bring people out of their seats and make them feel good and made my son’s (Nicklas) 14-year-old team, helping out maybe four or five times them mad and gave people stories they could tell the rest of their lives, a week. It’s been fun. I’ve been doing it four years. It’s a good way to that’s probably what I miss the most. I miss the ability to have an effect help the kids and coaches and support youth hockey. on people’s lives. I don’t think there are many athletes that were as fan- friendly or cognizant of making sure they created stories for kids. Tkachuk: Being in a locker room, interacting with the guys on a daily Vinnie Hinostroza, Nick Schmaltz). Also, Christian Dvorak, Christian basis. The little things, going through the highs and lows of a season with Fischer, Hinostroza and Schmaltz all played for Chicago Mission where I your teammates. They’re you’re brothers. have been coaching my kids for the last six years.

Vrbata: Everything, the whole package of what it means to be a Boucher: I do follow them. It’s part of my job to be up on their professional hockey player in the NHL: the day-to-day routine, dressing happenings. I watch games from time to time. room, the focus and effort on trying to get things done and be the best you can be, games, the feeling on scoring goals, winning games, travel, Briere: I still follow all the teams I have played for. etc. Bryzgalov: I feel ashamed but I don’t follow the NHL at all. I follow kids Whitney: I miss playing the actual games and the competition. I also miss hockey. When you’re out, you’re out. There are less and less players you the locker room and hanging with teammates and trainers. know who play in the league. My life revolves around kids hockey. Every day you come to the rink for practice. Every weekend you go and watch Tikhonov: I miss the atmosphere. The fans in Russia are great. The level the games. I’m unemployed right now. My life is all about the kids. You of play is also very high, but nothing compares to the NHL. try to get more involved with your kids. I don’t have interest in the NHL right now. I don’t know why, but that’s the truth. What do you like most about not playing in the NHL? Burke: I am present at just about every Coyote home game and a Aucoin: Definitely being with my family more. We miss so many events number of road games as well. I scout them for Montreal along with all of during our career that I’ve made it a priority not to miss anything that my the NHL and AHL teams out west. kids do anymore. Logistically, it’s a challenge, but I love it. Johnson: I always follow the Coyotes, by all media channels. Boucher: I like the fact that I don’t have to train in the summers anymore. Michálek: Yes, I follow the Coyotes closely and still cheer for them. I went Briere: My body feeling 100 percent when I wake up in the morning. to a few games this season with my son and I’m trying to catch as many Bryzgalov: Travel. Even when you had private planes, you flew for five games on TV as I can, or at least keep track of scores online. hours in the middle of the night on a long road trip. It’s tough. You get to Numminen: Not as much. I check the scores. My son follows the the hotel at 2 in the morning and then wake up at 9 and go and practice Coyotes. His teams are the Coyotes and Winnipeg, so I follow through again and in the evening you’ve got a game to play on back-to-backs. It’s him really. pretty much every other day you’re playing and travetravelingugh different time zones and you’re practicing early in the morning and you’re Roenick: I watch every game. not sleeping at normal times. Tkachuk: Absolutely. Stan Wilson is like a brother to me, and the whole Burke: I think the physical toll the game takes on your body on a day-to- training staff, guys like Tony (Silva). Rick Tocchet being the head coach day basis. I have the scars and aches to remind, but I don’t miss the ice and Rich Nairn being a dear friend and I know some of the players, so bags. yeah, being in that organization for so long, I follow them and wish them all the best. Johnson: The best part about not playing in the NHL is not having your body hurting all the time. I also don’t miss the stress of worrying about Vrbata: Yes. Checking the scores, highlights on the NHL app, reading being traded. I also don’t miss the mental strain of trying to be articles on The Athletic and TSN. successful. Whitney: I still follow the team, yes. I coach junior Coyotes so they Michálek: Probably those mornings after games when the body is aching always know what’s going on. I need to be on top of things as well to and sore and it’s hard to get up and get going. And then the mental relate to them. stress of what it takes to be at your best even though your body or mind is not feeling 100 percent — tired, sick, injured, personal-life issues, Tikhonov: I check the standings often and always hope the Coyotes whatever it might be — but you’re still expected to do your job and play at make the playoffs. your best, night in, night out. With which former or current Coyotes are you still in regular contact?

Numminen: You have more time with your family. You can do your own Aucoin: Doan, Yandle, Whitney, (Matthew) Lombardi, (Scottie) Upshall, schedule around your family. I don’t miss the summer training. That was (Lee) Stempniak, (Jason) LaBarbera and Biz-Nasty. a big part of retiring. It was like, “Yeah, that’s enough.” Boucher: I see Shane Doan, Danny Briere, Mike Johnson and Brian Roenick: Summer workouts, all the testing at training camp, hated it. I Savage occasionally. Brian Savage’s son, Red, plays at the USNTDP hated all the pre-camp testing. I hated having to work out five days a with my son Tyler so I do get to see Savvy when I come to Detroit to see week for two hours a day in the gym and on the rink. I loved playing the them play. games. I didn’t love getting ready for games. Briere: Shane Doan. Tkachuk: Going to practice every day. You don’t know any better when you’re in it. I did it for 19 years and it’s pretty much every day. Nowadays, Bryzgalov: Not really. I’m a lone wolf. players have more time off because of mandatory CBA days. We never Burke: I had the opportunity to bring Shane Doan on as part of Team had that so it was tough. You missed important events, whether it was Canada’s management group for this year’s Spengler Cup and we talk holidays, birthdays. Life goes on in the NHL. The only day we had off quite regularly. I also play golf occasionally with J.R. I also see or talk was Christmas and we played on Dec. 26 so it wasn’t like you had a with Keith Tkachuk, Robert Esche, Mark Janssens, Greg Adams from break. time to time. Claude Lemieux and I have also had a lot of contact over Vrbata: It’s a little different now after a week in lockdown (laughs), but the last few years. He is an agent representing some players that I have mostly I like having time that I can spend with family, being involved with had on teams I have managed. kids’ activities on daily basis, time to do my own things that I didn’t have Johnson: Shane Doan, Danny Briere, Ladislav Nagy, Sean Burke, chance to do while I was playing or preparing for a season. Those are Jeremy Roenick, Todd Simpson, Keith Tkachuk, Brian Boucher, Brad the things I don’t miss. May, Tyson Nash and Todd Warriner. Whitney: I like not having to wear ice bags and I definitely do not miss the Michálek: Doaner, Vrbata, Hanzal, OEL. video sessions. Numminen: I talk to Doaner once in a while and Keith Tkachuk in St. Tikhonov: I don’t think I played in the league long enough to not like Louis and Stan (Wilson). I talk to Rich Nairn and (Fox Sports Arizona’s) anything. Todd Walsh. I text Walsher once in a while. Do you still follow the team? If so, how do you follow it? Roenick: I talk to Toc a lot, I talk to Shane Doan every once in a while. I Aucoin: Yes. Online, NHL Network, NHL Center Ice package. A few of talk to Travis Green. I talk to Keith Tkachuk a lot. Those are the guys that my kids still love OEL (so do I) and I did player development with the I connect with the most. Blackhawks my first couple of years when I retired so I worked with a few Tkachuk: The players now are a lot younger than me. Obviously, I know of the ex-Blackhawks who are now playing for the Coyotes (Antti Raanta, Rick Tocchet, but I know Clayton Keller because I coached him here in St. Louis. My son (Matthew) and Christian Fischer are very good friends. Tikhonov: Artemi Panarin is always fun to watch. My answer is a bit They lived together in Ann Arbor (Michigan) when they were with the biased though. We were teammates for many years. U.S. National Development Program. Christian Dvorak played on the Memorial Cup championship team in London (Ontario) with Matthew. As Who is or was your favorite Coyote to watch and why? far as former players, I still keep in touch with Rick, JR, Teppo, Doaner Aucoin: I have always loved Keith Tkachuk. I met him while I was at occasionally, Dallas Drake and Ed Olczyk. You don’t do it every day but Boston University and just love the way he played. Shane was the you still keep in touch. ultimate Coyote for all the right reasons.

Vrbata: A little with OEL, a little with Zbynek Michalek, Shane Doan, Boucher: Jeremy Roenick. I always appreciated JR’s passion for the Anthony Duclair, a little more with guys in Czech like Martin Erat, game both as a fan, former teammate and opponent. Rostislav Klesla and Martin Hanzal. Briere: Shane Doan because he was the ultimate teammate and most Whitney: I’m still in regular contact with Shane Doan as we live across respected player on the team. He would always be there protecting his the street from each other. I also keep up with Stan (Wilson) and Tony teammates but he was also a dominant force every time he was on the (Silva) and Jason (Rudee). The trainers were always as important to me ice. He could score, hit or fight with the best in the league. as the players were. Bryzgalov: I don’t have an answer because we had a good team and Tikhonov: I’m pretty bad with staying in touch with people. My wife on the everyone brought something to the table. I don’t want to answer that one other hand, still stays in touch with many of the wives from those teams. because it’s too difficult to pick.

Who is the most exciting player to watch in the NHL today and why? Burke: Conor Garland is a lot of fun to watch. Whenever the Coyotes Aucoin: I still love watching OEL. The game is so easy for him. He’s need a spark, he is the guy that gives it to them. What a great compete always poised and always makes the smart plays. He’s Nick Lidstrom level he has on a game-to-game basis. I am also biased to OEL because 2.0. I was still in the organization when we drafted him and enjoyed working with him over the years. Boucher: Conor McDavid. Amazing skill matched with amazing speed. Nobody does it like him. Johnson: I liked watching JR play because of his skill and passion. I liked Doaner because of his character and consistency. I liked (Ladislav) Briere: Connor McDavid: pure skill and speed. Nagy, because he was a skilled as anyone, and he scored a lot when I was on the ice with him. Bryzgalov: You’re asking the question of a person who’s not paying attention. Let me guess: Everyone is saying Connor McDavid or Artemi Michálek: This season, I like to watch Connor Garland. I think he’s one of Panarin. the most underrated players in the whole NHL and knowing how much work, dedication and overall game improvement it took for him from his Burke: Connor McDavid is special and every shift is a chance to see first professional season in Tucson to where he is now is great to see. I’m something great happen. Nathan McKinnon and Sidney Crosby are a lot very happy for him. of fun to watch and I have been fortunate to be around all of these players with Team Canada and see them practice and their incredible Numminen: I’m thinking Keith, JR, Dally Drake and Rick Tocchet skill level. because you never knew what was going to happen with him. He played with so much emotion so you might see a great play or he might snap. Johnson: Connor McDavid is the most exciting player to watch. He has Anything could happen. Sean Burke is up there, too, but let’s go with the best combination of speed and skill that the game has ever seen. Keith. He did so many amazing things there.

Michálek: As a former defenseman, I like to watch Cale Makar. I think he Roenick: Keith Tkachuk. He was the ultimate leader. He was the ultimate is exactly the kind of modern-day defender that every team/GM is looking professional. He was the ultimate team guy. He took care of teammates, for. He eats tons of minutes, plays well at both ends of the ice, skates like he took care of trainers, he held people accountable, he was fun, he was the wind and just drives the play of the whole team. The game just looks one of the best goal scorers, he was tough. He was the ultimate easy to him. teammate.

Numminen: Maybe right now (Alex) Ovechkin, because he’s breaking the Tkachuk: Dallas Drake is a good friend, but the way he played the game records. I think that makes it more interesting. If he were 100 goals and how hard he played, and how physical he was. He was just a well- behind what he is now, then I would say Connor McDavid, but now that rounded player who didn’t get enough credit for what he did. he’s breaking records it’s exciting. Just the names that he is passing or getting close to, it’s amazing. I think scoring is up, which is great, but that Vrbata: Briere, Nagy: Skilled forwards. OEL: Played with him and saw doesn’t take anything away from what he’s doing. He’s still scoring goals him grow from young drafted guy to NHL All-Star D-man. from the same spots and everybody knows what he’s doing but they still can’t stop him. Whitney: This is going back a bit for me but Tkachuk was always someone I enjoyed watching. I loved the size and power he had, yet he Roenick: I think Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Those are the still had a great scoring touch. You never knew what type of game he two I love to watch. That’s obviously not going out on a limb. They’re able was going to bring at night because he could do multiple things. to do everything at the highest speeds with power, Connor McDavid a little more gracefully. Their ability to take over hockey games whenever Tikhonov: I’ve always been a huge fan of Shane Doan. Not only for his they want is amazing and their consistency is amazing. I love watching skills on the ice, but for his character off the ice. He’s the best captain Mathew Barzal and Patrick Kane play, too. Those are the guys I would I’ve ever played for. And the best human being as well. pay to go watch play. What is your favorite Coyotes memory?

Tkachuk: These young kids can do so much but Connor McDavid and Aucoin: Definitely our 2012 playoff run. It was the deepest I’ve gone into Auston Matthews are just two crazy players, and still, Patrick Kane, even the Stanley Cup playoffs during my career. Although I was injured on and though he is inching on 30. And then Sidney Crosby. I’d say those four, off during the playoffs, it was still incredible. The fan support was but I’d put Connor McDavid No. 1. I can’t believe a guy can go that fast amazing. There is nothing quite like playoff hockey, especially the and do that many things. The TV camera guys can’t even keep up with extreme competition. On a personal side, playing my 1,000th game was him. I’d pay to watch that guy every single day. Phenomenal player. beyond memorable. The organization and the players were amazing. I Vrbata: Leon Draisaitl: He’s got everything. He’s smart, can make plays, had around 100 people come in for the game so it was something I’ll can score, can play defense, can do this all even without McDavid in a never forget. lineup. Connor McDavid: Enough said. Elias Pettersson: Very smart Boucher: My shutout streak. Not many positive times as a former player player, smaller, not the strongest or fastest, but so skilled and smart; for the Yotes but that’s the one that stands out most. My teammates were really fun to watch. incredibly selfless during that five-game stretch and I’m proud to be a Whitney: Connor McDavid is the most exciting to me. To see the pace at part of NHL history as a Coyote. which he plays the game; not only with his feet but his hands and head Danny Briere: My first game in the NHL in Phoenix vs the Avalanche and as well. Generational stuff. the next game in Los Angeles scoring my first NHL goal and getting hurt later in the game. It was the roller coaster of emotions. Bryzgalov: The first year we made the playoffs (2009-10), the whole year was smiling and cutting you up at the same time. Todd Simpson was a was full of fun. It was my third year in Arizona. We had franchise records classic practical joker always doing something to one of the guys. for points and wins. That whole season was great. Johnson: Todd Simpson had a quick dry wit that always had me Burke: I really can’t think of just one memory. I thoroughly enjoyed my laughing. He also played some great pranks. When he was traded, the years in the Valley and the exciting teams we had playing at America team went out on the ice to practice while Todd left the practice facility. West Arena: a unique hockey building and great fans. I was in net the On his way out, he took everyone’s keys off their key chains and put night we opened in Glendale as well. Bob Francis was a great coach to them all in a bowl. It took days to figure out house and mailbox keys. play for and Benoit Allaire rejuvenated my career. The training staff is second to none and Stan Wilson, Tony Silva, Jason Rudee and JP Major Michálek: Keith Yandle, just his personality and sense of humor was so are great at what they do. Fighting Shane Doan in practice still makes much fun to be around every day. He had a different story to tell each laugh! I never heard him say “Frig!” so many times. day it feels like. Whether they were true or made up, it was impossible not to laugh. Johnson: Being around Wayne Gretzky, first when he would occasionally come on the ice for practice when he was in management, and then Numminen: I think it was JR and Keith when they were talking to each when he was our coach. The chance to be around the greatest player other and trying to top each other. It was just fun to follow those two. ever but also have him coach and interact daily was great. Roenick: Probably Dallas Drake. I have a lot of Dallas Drake stories. I Michálek: My favorite memory was the whole 2009-2010 season. It was remember one day when we were playing Detroit and Darren McCarty the time when the ownership situation wasn’t very stable and the skated by the bench and yelled at Dally. Dally yelled back at him: “Get off possible relocation of the team was a hot topic and nobody gave us any the ice as fast as possible. You’re scaring all the kids out of Joe Louis chance going into the season. Dave Tippet became coach only days Arena because you’re so ugly.” before the season started and we really came together as a team, Tkachuk: A combination of Dally, JR and Toc. Toc was intense. wanted to prove everyone wrong and wanted to show them that we are a good team and that Arizona is a good hockey market so for us to have Vrbata: Ray Whitney and Adrian Aucoin. such a great regular season and make the playoffs after so many years Whitney: Keith Yandle is probably a popular answer and one I would and experience the Whiteout and the atmosphere in Glendale arena was have to agree with. Great sense of humor and always in a good mood. just awesome. That season was a ton of fun. Tikhonov: Paul Bissonnette has a special talent to make people laugh. Numminen: I think it was all the Whiteouts we had at the barn, at the I’m sure you’ve heard some stories. arena downtown. I loved the Whiteouts in Winnipeg. It was crazy and I thought it wasn’t going to be as crazy here, but it was. They were both Which Coyote do you think should be the next inducted into the Ring of old barns, old rinks. Nowadays when you go to an arena, it all feels the Honor? same no matter where you are, but both of those places were different and that made it more special. The stands at America West Arena were Aucoin: OEL. No brainer. so close and that made it feel like people were on top of you, as they Boucher: Sean Burke. were (at the obstructed view, north-end) goal. Briere: I believe the next one will be the current captain, Oliver Ekman- Roenick: The Whiteouts were amazing and coming back with my broken Larsson. jaw. That’s one of my favorites because it proved to me the challenges I could overcome. I think people appreciated my passion for the game and Bryzgalov: I don’t know. Sorry. my dedication to the city. Burke: I would put Don Maloney up there. He won general manager of Tkachuk: I think the whole idea of going to a non-traditional hockey the year and had the team in the playoffs three years in a row with no market and turning into a hockey market, which we did in our first few budget and no ownership. Of course, Doaner, but I am assuming with his years down at America West Arena. It was a great atmosphere, but going jersey being retired that is already implied that he is. out and trying to sell the game was a great experience. Guys like Jeremy Roenick did an unbelievable job of that, on and off the ice. Johnson: Nobody else should be added until Ekman-Larsson retires.

Vrbata: For me, pretty much every season playing for the Coyotes is a Michálek: No one comes to my mind. I believe OEL will be there one day favorite memory. The 2011-12 season, playing on a line with Hanzal and after his career ends. Whitney, the chemistry we had, the feeling going into the games where Numminen: I’ve got to go with Ekman-Larsson. He’s been there a long we knew we would make an impact. Also, both playoff series against time. Detroit. Roenick: Nikolai Khabibulin. Nikki was the prized goaltender here and Whitney: Favorite Coyote moment was making the conference finals and then he ended up winning a Stanley Cup in Tampa. To me, that would be going further than any Yotes team had in the past or the present. It was a the most logical guy. great run just to get in and then an amazing feeling going as far as we did. Tkachuk: It’s probably going to be Ekman-Larsson.

Tikhonov: It would have to be my first goal. The reason it was special Vrbata: OEL. was that I scored it against my dad’s old team, the San Jose Sharks. He coached them for seven or eight years. Whitney: I think Mike Smith should be in the ring of honor. He was the number one goalie for the Yotes for years and the number one reason Which Coyotes teammate made you laugh the most? we made it to the conference finals.

Aucoin: Keith Yandle. He always picked on Doaner. Tikhonov: I’d have to say either Sean Burke or Nikolai Khabibulin. Both played great between the pipes and were loved by the fans. Boucher: Todd Simpson. He was a practical joker and he got us all once with dye in our gloves. The equipment staff wasn’t happy but it sure was Based on your time here, what would be the ideal location for a new fun trying to figure out who the culprit was. Coyotes arena?

Briere: Teppo Numminen was one of the most sarcastic teammates I Aucoin: Anywhere near Old Town in Scottsdale. With the population and played with. He would be making fun of you the whole time he was amenities, Scottsdale would be a perfect fit. talking to you but you wouldn’t know. Boucher: Anywhere in Scottsdale. Bryzgalov: Keith Yandle and (Ed Jovanovski). Jovo can make jokes, too. Not many people know this. Yandle was young and a cool, chill guy. He Briere: I believe the Scottsdale area, if that was possible. just enjoyed playing in the NHL. Some people are just positive with a Bryzgalov: We all lived in Scottsdale, the majority of players. In my time good sense of humor and they’re open to the world. They like to interact there, somebody lived in Grayhawk, somebody lived in Silverleaf. with people. It’s just the way they are born and raised. Basically everybody lived in Scottsdale so find some place in Scottsdale. Burke: Teppo Numminen was pretty funny because he was so dry and I hope they are going to build it right now because it’s not good to be at would sit back and make fun of guys, myself included. All the while he Jobing.com or whatever they call it right now, but in these coronavirus times, who is going to give you at least half a billion dollars to build an Would you be in favor of an expanded playoff format if the NHL season arena? We’ll see how their owner comes out of this crisis. Look at the resumes? If so, how many teams should make it and what would your markets. It’s a panic. format look like?

Burke: 101 and Talking Stick area. Indian land close to everything with Aucoin: Yes. I don’t like the current format. I always liked the top team easy access for fans. playing against the bottom. I think the league could have a play-in for the wild card teams. Playoffs are such a great selling feature for the game, Johnson: South Scottsdale. so it would be great to get more teams involved.

Michálek: Somewhere close to the 101 and 202 intersection on the Boucher: I would not be in favor of an expanded playoff format. I would Scottsdale-Tempe border; centrally located and easily accessible to start the playoffs with the eighth-highest winning percentages in each people around the whole Valley, and especially to those living in East conference and have a two-week camp prior to the start of playoffs. Valley where I think the majority of hockey fans live. Depending on the start date, I would either do a best-of-five first round, Numminen: South Scottsdale. Los Arcos. Say that. A 3-2 vote (by the city followed by three best-of-seven series, or if time permits, I’d have four council) and a couple months later they got rid of those people anyway. rounds of best-of-seven series. I know teams will not be happy but it’s Los Arcos. That’s still my choice. important to save some summer for an offseason as well. Teams that are on the outside of playoffs will just have to be upset with the unusual Roenick: To me, it would be someplace around Talking Stick Resort, but circumstances. You can’t just roll into a new season after the Stanley if you could get something down around the 101 and 202 down by Cup playoffs. Tempe so you could have Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert residents all get their fast. I would have it there. Briere: Honestly, the NHL playoffs are the best time of the year and probably the most grueling to go through to get to the end. I hope there Tkachuk: It’s got to be downtown Phoenix where it was before, or you are NHL playoffs at some point in the near future. Maybe we can expand could do it somewhere in Scottsdale, like Los Arcos, which got voted to the top 24 teams who still had a chance to make it and have more of a down. Maybe even at ASU, but I think it’s got to be downtown. tournament format early on in the playoffs until we get to the conference finals. Radim Vrbata: Either right in Scottsdale or at the intersection of Loop 101 and 202. Bryzgalov: I would wait. If the situation does not improve, it does not matter what kind of format you have. You’re not going to be able play. It Whitney: Near Old Town (Scottsdale) would be ideal, or the intersection depends on the timeframe right now. You can come up with dozens of of the 101 and 202 area for a new building. In reality, anywhere on the plans, but if the situation does not improve, give Boston the Cup right east side would be better. now and let’s settle down and just prepare for next season. Tikhonov: That’s a tough question to answer. I have a lot of great Burke: I would like to say yes because we are on the outside with memories in Glendale. It’s hard to imagine the arena in a different spot. Montreal, but only the teams that have earned a playoff spot up to this What was/is your favorite restaurant in the Valley and what was/is your point should be rewarded as we are 70 games in. Play a few more go-to order when there? games so that everyone has an equal amount (72 seems like a good number) and let’s go with the playoffs. This is a very unfortunate situation Aucoin: The Herb Box in D.C. Ranch up in north Scottsdale. It was but if you are not in a playoff spot by this time in the season you shouldn’t always great food so just about anything on the menu was my go-to. benefit from these circumstances.

Boucher: Mastro’s. I always ordered filet. Pretty simple. Johnson: Let 20 teams in. No 7 seed vs. No. 10; No. 8 vs. No. 9 based on points percentage. Have a best-of-three play-in round, then the usual Briere: Writer’s note: Briere couldn’t remember a restaurant so I told him I 16-team playoffs. would insert Taco Bell. He laughed. Michálek: That all depends on when or if at all the play will be able to get Bryzgalov: There’s actually lots of good restaurants out there, but our started again and then looking what the options are at that time. I surely favorite was Mastro’s Ocean Club at Kierland and my favorite there was don’t think they should be extending the hockey season into the summer. escargot and crab meat. I like the steaks, too, on those hot plates. On second thought, if they decided to expand the playoffs and do some Burke: Veneto Trattoria in Scottsdale, just south of Lincoln. I used to eat kind of play-in for the bottom teams to get into the playoffs, whether that all my pregame meals there. Family owned and great northern Italian would be best-of-three or best-of-five series, that would mean another food. break of at least five to 10 days for the teams that are at the top and qualify automatically for the playoffs, which I don’t think is ideal to be Johnson: Mastro’s Ocean Club for steak. sitting and waiting, especially with the long break that’s going on now.

Michálek: One of our favorites was an Italian restaurant in Scottsdale Numminen: I think the first two rounds should go best-of-five and then called La Locanda. It used to be on Scottsdale Road and the Shea Blvd. best-of-seven with 16 teams, otherwise you’re just backing in. You can’t area: Very old, traditional, family-owned restaurant back in the day go half-ass. (2000s). Their pasta dishes were my favorite and then the tiramisu was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Roenick: I have thought about those crazy formats. I think with 31 teams, you could give the top team a bye and do a playoff of 30 teams. Numminen: PF Chang’s was big then. Orange peel chicken. Eliminate 15 in the first round and then the top team comes back in. Maybe you do one round of play-in games or you just have 30 teams Roenick: I have a lot of Valley favorites. Mastro’s for steak. Sushi Brokers play a one-game play-in to get into the playoffs. These are wild times. I for sushi. Toca Madera for Mexican. If I’m going for a light lunch I’m know you’d waste a whole year of playing hard and playing for position, doing Flower Child. I’m a big fan of SPIGA for Italian and if I’m going to but there are some teams that haven’t made the playoffs in a long time have a quick little breakfast and want a bagel there is no better place like Buffalo, Vancouver, Arizona, Detroit. Maybe you give them one than JJ’s Deli on Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale. It’s off the charts. chance to make the playoffs and make some playoff money. Or maybe Tkachuk: Mastro’s for the Bone-in Kansas City Strip. And Il Pescatore you just take a look at how many teams are in striking distance of the was a great little Italian Restaurant right on Scottsdale Road but it closed playoffs and then you just do play-in games to give them a chance. I’m down. just throwing it out there but I don’t think anything that will be proposed will be looked at as logical because we’re not in logical times. Vrbata: Mastro’s: steak. RA Sushi. Tkachuk: I think it should go by points percentage with no more regular- Whitney: Maple & Ash. My wife and share this ravioli (ricotta agnolotti) season games. Everybody had their opportunity to play well and some that is amazing. Cheese and truffle oil I think. didn’t. Maybe do the first two rounds of the playoffs three out of five and Tikhonov: Pure Sushi off Hayden Road was always my go-to. It was the next two four out of seven. within walking distance from where I lived and always had great food! I Vrbata: I don’t think the NHL season will resume this season. always ordered the Lollipop Roll. Whitney: Whitney works for the league so he declined to answer. Tikhonov: Another tough question. I know it’s hard for the players to come back after a long break. The intensity won’t be the same. On the other hand, the fans will be starving for some hockey. I’m glad it’s not my decision to make. It’s an unpleasant situation all around.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185221 Boston Bruins ▪ Equipment and surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected after use, between sessions, and at the start and end of each day.

▪ Players will be encouraged to shower at home, and leave all workout NHL issues guidelines for players to practice in groups of six clothes and equipment at the facility for laundering. They must wear their own footwear at all times.

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated May 25, 2020, 7:50 p.m. ▪ Each group should have its own essential staff: one trainer, one strength coach, one equipment manager, one or two dressing-room attendants, a physician as needed, one independent goalie coach if needed. Clubs can dip into their AHL personnel to accomplish this. GLOBE STAFF The NHL is ready to get back on the ice, under strict protocols. ▪ No one else but those “player access” personnel should have contact with players. The league circulated a lengthy memo to its teams Sunday, with guidelines for players, coaches, and staff to return to the ice for small- ▪ Coaches and hockey ops personnel can return to work at facilities, but group practices. must be kept separate from players and not touch anything those with “player access” are likely to touch. “Phase 2,” as it is called, will begin in early June. A specific date was not cited, though the league said it would “monitor developments” in NHL ▪ Club personnel are not permitted to watch workouts, or conduct fitness cities and “adjust the overall timing if appropriate.” testing, until training camp formally begins.

The 29-page document provided no timeline for the formal training TESTING camps or reimagined playoffs that are expected to follow. The memo did not say how long Phase 2 will last. ▪ Players must self-quarantine for 14 days if they arrive in their NHL city via public transportation, or if local regulations require it. Phase 1, which began when the NHL paused March 12, involved self- quarantine for players and staff. ▪ Players must be tested for COVID-19 two days before reporting, via a nasal swab, and tested at least twice a week after that. The expected Under Phase 2, players will be permitted to skate and work out at NHL turnaround for results is 24 hours. practice facilities, if local regulations allow, in small groups of no more than six. In those groups, they will train on a rotating schedule that allows ▪ Players must self-check their temperature and symptoms every day, not for social distancing and sanitation. more than two hours before arriving at the facility, and record the results on an app. Their temperature and symptoms must also be checked by a It is another step toward awarding the Stanley Cup this summer. Last club official before entering the facility. Friday, NHL players approved a 24-team playoff format that would award byes to the top eight teams, including the Bruins, and let in the ▪ Those with symptoms will self-isolate. Canadiens (10 points out of a playoff spot on March 12) and Blackhawks ▪ It is not anticipated that a positive test will necessitate wide-scale (last in the Central Division). quarantine of a club. It would mean contact tracing and more testing.

This season’s remaining games will be played without fans, and in cities ▪ Personal protective equipment must be worn by all staff when in close that have the hotel and rink space to safely host ight to 12 NHL teams. contact with players. Possibilities in the United States include Las Vegas, Columbus, and Minneapolis. In Canada, Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver ▪ By Friday (May 29), each club must appoint a “club facility hygiene are seen as options. Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week the officer” responsible for overseeing compliance with all aspects of Phase league had narrowed its options to “eight or nine” cities. 2.

Key points from the Phase 2 memo: ▪ Testing must be done “in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations, and TRAVEL symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests.''

▪ Players from other NHL teams will be permitted to work out in NHL OTHER facilities where they reside, so players do not have to rush back to their NHL cities. On March 16, the NHL told players they could travel. ▪ Prohibited from entering the facility: media, agents, massage therapists, Numerous Bruins are known to have left the Boston area, including chiropractors, personal coaches, and family members. Zdeno Chara (Florida), Torey Krug (Michigan), David Krejci (South Carolina), Jake DeBrusk (Edmonton), Anders Bjork (Wisconsin), Urho ▪ A positive test will be treated as a “hockey-related injury,” with regard to Vaakanainen (Finland), Joakim Nordstrom, Par Lindholm, and Anton the CBA. Blidh (Sweden). ▪ Seven days after a goalie first accesses a team facility, he may bring a ▪ On Monday, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf signed goalie coach into the mix. an order saying foreign-born pro athletes would not be denied entry to ▪ Supplements, creams, balms, etc. must be single-use. the United States. ▪ Food prepared by the catering staff must be prepackaged and taken ▪ Phase 2, as is noted several times, is “strictly voluntary.” Last week, home. Only single-serve beverages or snacks (a granola bar, for Bettman said 17 percent of NHL players are currently outside North example) can be consumed on-site. America. ▪ Everyone has their own drink bottle. ▪ Players should stay home as much as possible when they are not at the facility and should not get together outside of training. Boston Globe LOADED: 05.26.2020

TRAINING

▪ Players only on the ice. No coaches or staff. No contact.

▪ Only six players in a facility at a time.

▪ Permitted off-ice activities: weight training without spotters, circuit and cardio training, injury rehab.

▪ Masks are not required while training; they are while coming and going and when social distancing cannot be maintained.

▪ Players must remain in the same small groups for the duration of Phase 2, to better contain any infection or exposure.

▪ Players must be 6 feet apart while in the locker room. 1185222 Boston Bruins It was the world before COVID-19. We didn't know how good we had it. And who among us wouldn't give anything to go back to it?

Here we are, a year later, living day after day with no team sports A year ago at this time, all we cared about was the Bruins’ shot at the programming. We rewatch fuzzy footage of playoffs past. But there is no Stanley Cup NHL, no NBA, and no Major League Baseball. We’d give almost anything to hear Garden barkeep Todd Angilly belting out the national anthem in front of a packed house; to see Orr emerge as banner captain while By Dan Shaughnessy Globe Columnist, Updated May 25, 2020, 12:15 shoulder-to-shoulder fans pass the spoked-B flag around the lower bowl; p.m. to see Patrice Bergeron win the opening faceoff.

Without a seat inside the Garden, we’d gladly settle for a stool at The Fours on Canal Street, listening to the the perfect hockey calls of Doc Tuukka Rask makes a save on the Blues' Jaden Schwartz in Game 1 of Emrick blasting from the overhead TV. the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. That would be something. Almost anything would be better than this. GLOBE STAFF Remember the last weekend in May of 2019? One year ago? It felt like the only thing that mattered was Game 1 of the Stanley Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m firing up NESN for Bruins vs. Hurricanes on Cup Finals, featuring the St. Louis Blues and your Boston Bruins in a Feb. 3, 2007. If I recall correctly, Chara is going to assist on a pair of packed TD Garden on Causeway Street. Glen Murray goals, then score the game-winner in overtime. I’ll pretend it’s happening in real time. Here on the Globe sports pages, we had you covered from crease to crease and everywhere in between. We talked to Bobby Orr about his Boston Globe LOADED: 05.26.2020 memories of playing the Blues in the Finals way back in 1970. Orr spoke of the old days, then went out of his way to defend 42-year-old defenseman Zdeno Chara, who was getting some criticism on local sports radio.

"I've been hearing a lot of crap recently about Z,'' said Orr, who rarely says anything controversial. "Are you kidding me?''

In that same Sunday sports section, we had a lengthy profile of Chara written by Christopher L. Gasper (whatever happened to that guy?). We had a nifty account of a Red Sox loss to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The story was accompanied by a photo of Red Sox manager Alex Cora making a mound visit to talk things over with Sox lefty David Price (whatever happened to those two guys?). The Red Sox were 27- 25, still claiming that it wasn’t a mistake to shut down all of their starters throughout spring training.

There was not a word about Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on the front page of those weekend newspapers. The Globe’s big news stories on May 25 were "MFA bans 2 patrons and vows changes,'' and "Amid drama, Encore ready to deal.''

The only men in Boston wearing facemasks in May of 2019 were Tuukka Rask and Blues goalie Jordan Binnington.

The only guy wearing a mask around here last May was Tuukka Rask.

The Bruins won Game 1, 4-2, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the second period.

Outside the Garden, a Globe stringer reported, "Thousands crowded Boston City Hall Plaza Monday for the Bruins Stanley Cup Final party hosted by the National Hockey League — an event that featured performances by country music artist Chase Rice and rapper Lil Nas X. Sunny weather drew huge numbers — the plaza reached its 12,000 capacity by the end of the first performance, and an estimated 8,000 more stood outside the gated area to watch from afar.''

Hmmmm. That's 20,000 crowded into the City Hall area and 17,565 at the Garden.

Game 1′s big story line focused on Bruins defenseman Torey Krug, who had his helmet dislodged in a third-period scrum with David Perron, then got up and rushed Robert Thomas — Dave Cowens-style — blasting the Blues center out of his skates. It was a moment.

The sad sidebar of the night was the announcement that former Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner had died at the age of 69. Tributes flowed. Nobody checked the obit to see if Buckner had succumbed to COVID-19.

The coronavirus did not exist in our minds in those fun-filled, carefree days. A Corona was nothing more than an overpriced beer sold in the crowded saloons around the Garden. Hydroxychloroquine, contract tracing, distance learning, Dr. Anthony Fauci, herd immunity, and Zoom were not part of our everyday language. Bruce Cassidy's line rotations were more important than any form of mitigation.

Plenty of people in Boston were fired up about another Cup last May.

Social distancing? I would have guessed that meant proper spacing on the power play. 1185223 Boston Bruins are the training camps, and then ultimately Phase 4, which would be the 24-team playoff tournament.

On Friday, that seemed tantalizingly close. And if all goes right, maybe NHL’s safety protocols are sobering we will be seeing some July hockey. Again, if all goes right.

League issues memo on health and safety guidelines But the lengthy nature of Monday’s memo, while detailing the abundance of care which the league is using, also highlights how easily it can all go wrong. By STEVE CONROY PUBLISHED: May 25, 2020 at 4:42 p.m. | UPDATED: May 25, 2020 at 5:20 p.m. Boston Herald LOADED: 05.26.2020

In case you were having trouble fully grasping the enormity of the task the National Hockey League is trying to undertake in finishing its season in the midst of this global pandemic, then you should feast your eyes on the 22-page memo distributed by the league outlining the health and safety measures to which teams and players must adhere.

And this is just so players can work out, not actually practice.

On Friday, the news was all about the league and the NHLPA essentially agreeing to the general framework of an intriguing 24-team playoff structure that should be — if not entirely fair to all teams involved — a hell of a lot of fun to watch. It was easy to get excited about hockey again.

But Monday’s memo was a tad sobering, especially with the warning in the introduction that the extensive protocol “cannot mitigate all risk. A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome.” The memo goes on to say that the virus mostly affects those in an older age bracket and people with pre-existing conditions, but that was an eye- catcher.

The protocol is nothing if not comprehensive. According to the league’s framework to move into “Phase Two” or the Return to Play plan, which the league hopes to institute by early June (there is no firm date yet), the voluntary workouts are limited to six players at a time with no coaches on the ice, a kind of coronavirus captain’s practice.

All players and club personnel who are to be permitted into the building will be tested 48 hours before being allowed to return to the training facility, with results expected within 24 hours. Players and club personnel will be tested twice a week after that. (The leagues notes that the testing of asymptomatic players “must be done in the context of excess capacity testing” so as not to jump in line in front of health workers or those in vulnerable populations.) Daily temperature checks will be taken both by the players themselves at home and before entering the facility.

Anyone who develops symptoms, or shares a home with someone who has symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, must self-isolate and immediately contact team personnel to determine a course of treatment.

Permitted activities, which must allow for social distancing (six feet apart), include non-contact skates, weightlifting that does not require a spotter, resistance training, endurance training plus rehabilitation and treatment for injured players.

Players returning to their home city via public transportation, such as commercial air travel, must self-quarantine for 14 days before joining the Phase 2 workouts. That could include the likes of the Bruins’ David Pastrnak, who is in his native Czech Republic, and Joakim Nordstrom, who is in Sweden. Players traveling by private or charter jet may not have to undergo the 14-day quarantine but those deemed to be returning from a “high risk” area would still have to isolate for two weeks.

Face masks must be worn when entering and leaving the facility as well as inside the building when social distancing is not possible (excluding time on the ice and exercising).

Players, who are encouraged to shower at home if hygienically possible, must leave all workout gear and equipment at the facility to be cleaned. Hot and cold tubs, saunas and steams are prohibited during Phase 2. There can be no communal use of towels, water bottles, balms and gels.

Media, players’ family members, player agents, massage therapists, chiropractors and player performance personnel will not be allowed on the premises.

Each team will appoint a health professional to be the Facility Hygiene Officer to oversee all aspects of the Phase 2 protocol.

The hope, of course, is that Phase 2 goes off without a hitch — or a minimum of hitches — and the league can move on to Phase 3, which 1185224 Boston Bruins

NHL announces hope to start Phase 2 on-ice practices in June

By Joe Haggerty May 25, 2020 3:32 PM

Hockey is now getting a little closer.

The NHL released a 21-page document on Monday that outlines Phase 2 of returning to play for each of the 31 NHL teams. Phase 2 is defined as “the transition period following self-quarantine.”

“Based on the current information available, we are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2,” said the NHL in the lengthy memo. “However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last. As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the Players and Club personnel is our top priority, and that will dictate how Phase 2, and any progression thereafter, may evolve.”

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There are plenty of fine details about water bottles, food restrictions, and other minutiae that NHL players would face in a normal practice setting, but the bottom line is that NHL teams will be allowed to start skating in small groups. The skating sessions will be non-contact practice, and all coaches, club employees, and other club-contracted representatives will be prohibited from getting on the ice with the small groups of players.

Phase 2 is expected to begin in early June and will see NHL players skate in groups of six at NHL practice facilities around North America with limited staff and interaction aside from getting their skating legs back in shape. If all goes according to plan, the NHL would move into a training camp phase at some point in mid-June or early July, and then move on to starting the 24-team playoff tournament at some point in July.

Interesting to note some of the finer points of the memo:

-- All players using public transportation (commercial flights, for example) to get back to their NHL cities must undergo the 14-day quarantine period before they can get on the ice.

-- All players are expected to undergo a COVID-19 test with negative results before getting on the ice for Phase 2, and the hope is that, if they are readily available, all players and club personnel will be tested twice weekly moving forward from the beginning of Phase 2.

-- Daily temperature checks two hours prior to getting to the practice facility, and then another temperature check upon entering the NHL practice facility to work out.

-- An isolated case of COVID-19 on any particular team would not necessitate that an entire NHL team go into quarantine as a result.

-- Players working out at the NHL facilities are prohibited from doing any other skating or workouts at any other facility once they join into the workouts with their team.

-- Coaches and team personnel can begin to observe the skating sessions once A) a date for training camp has been announced by the NHL or B) two weeks have passed since the beginning of the Phase 2 practices.

Interesting stuff, to be sure, but the best news in all of this is that the Stanley Cup playoffs are one step closer to reality now that the Phase 2 rules and regulations have been released, and now it’s a matter of setting timetables in each of the 31 NHL cities to get the players on the ice.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185225 Buffalo Sabres 5. Ken Dryden's pads. With 29 seconds left in regulation of Game 5 of the 1973 quarterfinals, the Sabres and Canadiens were tied at 2-2 as Buffalo's playoff life was on the line in the Montreal Forum. Coach Joe Strange But True: Weird tales from the Sabres' 50 seasons Crozier then stunned the fans with an expert piece of gamesmanship, requesting a measurement of the width of the pads of Habs goalie Ken Dryden. The pads were found to be too wide and the Sabres got a power play as Dryden was nailed for illegal equipment. The man-advantage By Mike Harrington Published Sun, May 24, 2020|Updated Sun, May 24, carried over into overtime and nearly produced a game-winning goal, but 2020 Jim Lorentz fired a shot off the crossbar. The Sabres kept their momentum, however, and won the first playoff OT in their history on Rene Robert's goal at 9:18. A global pandemic putting a season on pause and eventually leaving the Sabres out of an expanded playoff tournament by one win? That's a As it turned out, the tip on Dryden's pads came on a hunch from public pretty bizarre entry for the club's 50th anniversary season. relations director and former goalie Paul Wieland, whose annual April Fool's jokes were legendary around the Sabres' offices. But this was no But even for a franchise that enjoyed a lot of success over its first 40 joke. Imlach filed the tip away and then had Wieland make a clandestine years – albeit no Stanley Cups – that's a good one. There's been mission into the Aud locker room on the day of Game 3 to measure the weirdness aplenty at times over the course of this club's five decades. pads. He found them over the maximum width of 10 inches and reported So, in honor of franchise icon Gilbert Perreault, we present our list of 11 back to Imlach and Crozier, who waited for just the right time to use the Strange But Trues from Sabres history: information.

1. The Spin of the Wheel: Most fans know the Sabres drafted Perreault 6. The Fog Game. Some games in the Stanley Cup final are memorable with the first draft pick in their history in 1970. Many know they got the for their significance in determining a champion. Others stand out for right to take Perreault by winning a spin of a county fair-style number great performances or overtime clinchers. Maybe it's the atmosphere, like wheel. But not many folks remember the NHL nearly made a franchise- the wild scenes in recent years in Nashville and Vegas or the power altering mistake in that Montreal hotel conference room. failure in old Boston Garden that wiped out Game 4 in 1988 between the Bruins and Edmonton. Game 3 of the '75 final between the Sabres and The Sabres had all of the Nos. 8-13 spots on the wheel, while Vancouver Philadelphia pretty much had all of that. had all the Nos. 1-6 spots. The No. 7 spot was considered neutral and would trigger a re-spin. NHL president Clarence Campbell spun and In what was a remarkable way for the city to host its first game in cheers came up from the Vancouver table when the commissioner hockey's ultimate series, the Sabres posted a 5-4 overtime win over the announced the wheel had stopped at No. 1 and the Canucks had earned Flyers in the Aud on Rene Robert's goal 18:29 into the extra period. But the top pick. the numbers aren't what anybody remembers. This one is known as "The Fog Game" because an 80-degree day combined with a building that was But Sabres General Manager Punch Imlach calmly got Campebell's not air-conditioned at the time produced a thick layer of fog around the attention and pointed out the wheel had, in fact, stopped at No. 11. ice. Play was stopped on numerous occasions so the players could skate Campbell corrected himself, announced the Sabres had won and cheers off the fog, only to see it form around the ice again. Views of the action went up from the Buffalo table. Perreault wore No. 11 in Buffalo for the from the orange balcony and press box were limited at times and the next 17 seasons en route to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Canucks? overtime plus all the delays took the game to nearly 12:30 in the morning They drafted defenseman and current Florida General Manager Dale before the Sabres finally won it. Tallon at No. 2. He was traded to Chicago after three seasons. Sabres' Fog Game had it all: Unforgettable atmosphere, iconic goals, odd 2. Taro Tsujimoto. He's right there in the 11th round of the 1974 draft, the interruptions Sabres' choice at No. 183 overall from the Tokyo Katanas. But he wasn't real. Imlach was getting bored with the long draft and decided to do 7. "See Ya, Seymour." Long before Patrick Roy's infamous angry exit something to spice things up as a tweak at Campbell. Long before the from the Montreal Forum in 1995, that was the salute that veteran Internet or social media, plenty of fans and media thought the pick was backup goalie Al Smith gave owner Seymour Knox as he walked out on legitimate until Imlach came clean at training camp that fall and admitted the Sabres just before their game against Minnesota in the Aud on Feb. that the player didn't exist. 13, 1977.

The NHL invalidated the pick and Imlach looked worse as the years went Regular Gerry Desjardins was injured and Smith thought he was on because of two players taken after Tsujimoto. Winger Dave Lumley inheriting the starting job. Not so fast. Imlach told coach Floyd Smith he (199) won two Stanley Cups with Edmonton and Islanders defenseman wanted rookie callup Don Edwards to get the nod. Stefan Persson (214) won four Cups. Still, "Taro Says" sayings appeared on signs in Memorial Auditorum and bumper stickers for many years after An infuriated Smith stewed during the pregame warmup and the national the prank pick. anthems, hopped over the boards when the music stopped, yelled his three words at Knox and skated off the ice. He never played for the 3. "Jumbletron." That was the banner headline of The News on Nov. 17, Sabres again. Edwards, meanwhile, posted a 6-2 win that night in his 1996, one day after a bizarre postponement. Everything was normal at NHL debut and went on to post 156 victories in six seasons in Buffalo. first the day before, just over a month after the opening of then-Marine Turned out to be a good "trade" for the Sabres. Midland Arena. The Sabres and Boston Bruins took morning paces preparing for a Saturday night game. Early in the afternoon, disaster 8. The Turd Burger. The Sabres' mustard yellow alternate jerseys were struck during some routine scoreboard maintenance as the giant roundly panned as soon as they were unveiled during a staged Twitter jumbotron hanging over the rink got off balance and crashed to center gag with captain Steve Ott in 2013. Fans and players hated them and the ice. feeling might have been mutual inside the club's offices, as revealed when team president Ted Black made one of his weekly appearances on The high pile of twisted metal forced the postponement of that night's WGR Radio. Asked about the wide social media disdain for the jersey, game and the team was very fortunate that no one was injured in the Black dropped a line that the new look could never live down. collapse. A couple screens were salvaged and placed at the ends of the arena, but it was months before a new board could be hung from the "If you come into the store and you look at it and say I don't want to buy it ceiling. or you do buy it, in terms of moving the needles on revenues, it won't do anything," Black said. "If it doesn't sell, it won't really mean anything to 4. Most Memorable Fight: It didn't even take place on the ice. You can our bottom line. It's a third jersey. If it's a turd burger, I'll have to put it on find it on YouTube. On Dec. 13, 1972, Jim Schoenfeld fought seemingly a bun and eat it. It's the way it is." everyone in the Boston lineup. In the first period, he went into the boards with Bruins tough guy Wayne Cashman – and they burst through the Like the Goathead and the Slug, the name stuck. Thus, the jersey the corner entrance to the Aud rink where the Zamboni would come out on to team wore off and on for two seasons that is widely viewed as the worst the ice. in franchise history will forever be called the Turd Burger.

Cashman and Schoenfeld immediately challenged each other and fought 9. The Butt Goal. An overtime goal two nights before Christmas in 2013 on the rubber mats and concrete of the hallway just behind the glass. during a game between the Sabres and Arizona Coyotes should not have Other players piled into the corner as well before the fight was broken up. gone viral but that's exactly what happened when defenseman Mark Pysyk got credit for the goal that produced a 2-1 Buffalo victory. Pysyk, The goal drought ended at 279 minutes, 38 seconds when Zemgus however, did very little but watch the puck jump into the air – and plop Girgensons scored in the first period of a 4-2 loss on Oct. 14, 2017. And directly in the rear of the pants of goaltender Mike Smith. Unable to find an 0-6-1 run in Los Angeles that lasted nearly 15 years ended with a 5-1 the puck, a confused Smith tried to freeze in place and back his skates to victory on Oct. 20, 2018. the goal line. Instead, that pushed the puck, firmly lodged in his pants and jersey, over the line to give the Sabres a bizarre victory. Joked Rick * When the Sabres played their two games in November against Tampa Jeanneret: "It's Christmas for one team. It's 'Bah, humbug' for the other Bay at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, the world's largest one." spherical building became the 77th facility to host a Buffalo regular season game. The most road games the Sabres have played in one 10. Four seconds away. The Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup in place are the 92 they've played in New York's Madison Square Garden. both 1974 and 1975 and, like most other teams, needed to get through Most wins are 34, in both the Garden and Long Island's Nassau some disappointment along the way before they finally got atop the Coliseum. Most regulation losses are 48 in Boston Garden and the league. The rivalry with the Sabres that really accelerated from the '75 Montreal Forum. Best perfect record is 5-0 at the Thunderdome in St. final and eight subsequent playoff series got its kickstart in the Aud on Petersburg, Fla., the second home of the Tampa Bay Lightning before it the final night of the 1971-72 season. was converted to Tropicana Field for baseball.

The Sabres were 15-43-19 and going nowhere. The Flyers were 26-37- Buffalo News LOADED: 05.26.2020 14 and needed just one point to finish fourth in the West Division and qualify for the playoffs for the fourth time in their first five seasons in the league. The score was tied at 2-2 in the final seconds and Philly's berth seemed secure. But Buffalo captain Gerry Meehan, who was selected from the Flyers in the expansion draft and would go on to serve as Sabres GM, got the puck into the Philly zone and stunned goalie Doug Favell with a wrist shot that hit the net with just four seconds to play. The 3-2 Buffalo win eliminated the stunned Flyers from the postseason. But Philly made the playoffs the next 17 seasons, not missing out again until 1990.

11. Blizzard broadcast. The Sabres' 3-3 tie in Montreal on Jan. 29, 1977 came at the height of the Blizzard of '77 and was one of the most heroic games in franchise history. Only 15 players could get through the snow and make the trip to the airport for the game but Buffalo rallied to salvage a point. Play-by-play man Ted Darling was stuck in Lockport and did the radio broadcast from his home while watching the game off his television. His son, Joel, monitored the TV broadcast in another room and fed him information such as penalties and game times on cue cards.

For a bonus, here's some fun with Sabres numbers:

* The Sabres have scored 14 goals twice in their history and both games were in the Aud – a 14-2 win over Washington on Dec. 21, 1975 and a 14-4 win over Toronto on March 19, 1981. The Sabres set an NHL record that still stands in the Toronto with a nine-goal second period, and the teams' 12 goals in that middle frame also remains a league high nearly 40 years later.

* The most consecutive goals the Sabres have allowed in a game is 10, and that meltdown came at Calgary on March 12, 1988. The Sabres, incredibly enough, built a 4-0 lead after one period on two goals by Mark Napier and singles by John Tucker and Mike Foligno – and lost, 10-4. It's the last time the Sabres have been beaten in a game they led by as many as four goals.

The Flames got five goals in the second period and five more in the third. Hakan Loob was involved in five straight goals over the two periods, finishing the game with a hat trick and six-point night. Tom Barrasso was pulled from the Buffalo net after giving up the first seven goals.

* The Sabres have never allowed an opponent to have a five-goal game. They have one, by Dave Andreychuk at Boston on Feb. 6, 1986. The Sabres have never led a game by five goals and lost. They befuddled the Bruins again in that category, posting the only five-goal comeback in their history in a 7-6 win at the Aud on Feb. 25, 1983 (trailed 6-1 and scored six straight goals).

* The Sabres did not get a win in their first 20 visits to the Spectrum in Philadelphia, going 0-18-2 from their inception – including three losses in the '75 Cup final – until finally breaking the drought with a 3-2 win on Nov. 10, 1977.

* The Sabres were utterly dominant against the expansion-era Washington Capitals. The Sabres went 12-0-1 in their first 13 meetings until the Caps pulled a 4-2 upset at the Aud on Jan. 19, 1977, but the dominance continued long after that defeat. The Sabres, in fact, were 34- 2-6 in their first 42 meetings against Washington from 1974-1984.

* The Sabres once went more than 7 1/2 years without scoring a goal in Los Angeles' Staples Center – losing four straight visits by 2-0 scores. They suffered a 4-3 overtime loss there on Jan. 21, 2010 and didn't play in the building again until a 2013 shutout defeat due to a "road" game against the Kings in Berlin, Germany, in 2011. They then got blanked in Los Angeles in 2014, 2016 and 2017. 1185226 Carolina Hurricanes In addition to opposing the format, there also is the problem of players potentially being away from their families an extended period of time, in workout, training and then in completing a 24-team format and awarding Canes opposed 24-team NHL return to play format but are eager to play the Cup. Martinook is married and has a young child and said the idea of being away has caused some family stress.

“But there’s probably a ton of doctors who are out there and not around BY CHIP ALEXANDER MAY 25, 2020 12:57 PM , their families because they’re exposed to (COVID-19),” he said. “There’s so many people in worse positions than us. “

What might the playoffs look like? The Hurricanes were 38-25-5 after 68 The Carolina Hurricanes were one of two NHL teams to vote against a games — ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference with 81 points — and 24-team return to play format that has been approved by the NHL held the first wild-card playoff spot when the season was suspended. If Players’ Association executive board. the teams are seeded and bracketed according to point percentage in a Why? Jordan Martinook, the team’s player representative to the NHLPA, restart, the Canes would be the No. 6 seed and face the New York said Monday the Canes believed an extra play-in round, as proposed, Rangers in the play-in round. would not only lengthen the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs but also the odds Martinook wasn’t sure how many of the Canes players are currently in against them winning the Cup. the Raleigh area, saying maybe less than 10. With Phase 2 voluntary, he “You play so hard throughout the whole season to kind of put yourself in said some players might wait it out until a training camp schedule is set. a position to make the playoffs,” Martinook said in a zoom media call. Despite the team’s opposition to the format, Martinook said the Canes’ “Obviously we had a pretty good shot at making it and ... from where we players want to get back on the ice and compete for the Cup. He were and where I think our team could get to, it kind of limits our odds chuckled when noting returning to games, because of safety concerns, and makes you play another playoff series, basically. could mean full face shields and such things as no spitting allowed. “Every playoff series is tough. When you have to win four to win the “I know everybody on our team wants to win, wants to come back and Stanley Cup I think the (St. Louis) Blues would tell you it’s hard enough. play,” he said. “It’s going to be different. It’s going to be crazy. It’ll be Now that you’ll have to win five it’s obviously hard but it is what it is. something you can tell your kids one day, that you got to play this crazy We’re fine with the way it’s going to go. ... playoff. And hopefully after this go back to some normalcy.” “It wasn’t like we didn’t want to play or anything. It was just this particular News Observer LOADED: 05.26.2020 option maybe didn’t benefit us. It’s just kind of the stance we took.”

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the NHL, along with all the other major leagues, suspended its 2019-20 season. On March 12 it announced a “pause” that now has stretched a few months and many of the NHL players returned to their home cities, whether in the U.S., Canada or outside North America.

But the NHL and NHLPA have been jointly working to try and restart the season. The NHLPA on Friday announced the executive board decision on the 24-team format, in which the top four teams in each conference would receive first-round byes while the other 16 go through a best-of- five play-in round to determine the top 16 teams to compete for the Cup.

The games would be played without fans, possibly at as many as four “hub” sites.

Another step was taken Monday by the NHL, which announced it soon would begin “Phase 2” of the restart Players, after a self-quarantine period, will be allowed to participate in small, voluntary workouts — no more than six players in a group — on and off the ice at the team’s facilities.

The NHL said it was “targeting” a date in early June for the transition to Phase 2. The league said it would “monitor developments” in each team’s market in terms what’s allowed because of COVID-19 restrictions and then adjust.

“The health of the Players and Club personnel is our top priority,” the NHL release said.

And still the biggest question. Restarting a season during a global pandemic will have many challenges, the most pressing being keeping an outbreak from occurring. There is no virus vaccine and it is a very contagious virus. Constant testing and other stringent safety precautions — social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting — will have to be taken.

“I think it can be done safely,” Martinook said. “I don’t think they would let us come back if it wasn’t safe. Safety is definitely the main key. It doesn’t look good if we come back and then a bunch of guys get sick.”

That would likely be a season-stopper, something no one wants.

“I think they’ve done their due diligence and hopefully and we can come back and we can play and everybody can get through it safely and give some people something to cheer about,” said Martinook, a forward in his fifth full NHL season.

Martinook, 27, said the NHLPA player rep call was heated and that “other teams were on the fence.” According to multiple media reports, the Tampa Bay Lightning was the only other team to vote “no” on the 24- team format. 1185227 Carolina Hurricanes knowing this decision could be coming right away but it is what it is. That’s still stuff that needs to be talked about and it’s basically personal decisions at this time.”

The Hurricanes want to play, but here’s why they voted ‘no’ on 24-team But, again, it was never that the Hurricanes didn’t want to return to play format — and they’re prepared to do so, even if they aren’t in love with the proposed format. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman asked Martinook if he thinks the vast majority of players want to play. By Sara Civian May 25, 2020 “For 70 games, you put a ton of work and emotions into this and at the end of the year your goal is to win the Stanley Cup,” he said. “Obviously this gives a lot more teams the chance at it. I’m sure every team wants to Hurricanes NHLPA representative Jordan Martinook confirmed Monday win it and they’re going to everything they can to win it. I know everybody that Carolina was one of two teams to vote no on the proposed, 24-team on our team wants to win it, and wants to come back and play … it’s return to play format. While Tampa Bay Lightning’s main concerns were going to be different no matter what, it’ll be something you can tell your that their bye wouldn’t adequately prepare them for the intensity of a kids one day that you got to play this crazy playoff and hopefully after all playoff run, the Hurricanes felt their odds — and those of other middle-of- this we can go back to somewhat normalcy.” the-pack teams’ — were negatively impacted. Meanwhile, bottom-barrel teams get a pretty generous advantage. The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 The Canes were in a wild-card playoff spot, in the midst of a three-game win streak at the time of the NHL pause. The proposed playoff format pits them against the Rangers for a best-of-five play-in series while the top teams get a bye.

“It’s not like we didn’t want to play or anything, it’s just that we felt this particular option maybe didn’t benefit us — and it’s not gonna benefit every team, but this is just the stance that we took. … Our team felt like we could have kept climbing and climbing in the standings, I’m not taking anything away from the top teams, but we felt like we could have kept climbing the ladder,” Martinook said on a Zoom call Monday. “(This format) doesn’t really benefit the teams that are in 5, 6, 7 and 8 so it kinda hinders those teams. Then it obviously gives a lot to 9, 10, 11 and 12. It didn’t really benefit our team in any way.”

To be clear, it was never that the Hurricanes didn’t want to return to play. If you think about it, they went from an 80 percent chance to make playoffs to an unprecedented best-of-five scenario against an opponent that went 4-0 against them in the regular season. And this obviously wasn’t Martinook’s decision alone — the Hurricanes almost unanimously agreed that this format doesn’t exactly benefit them.

“We had four or five guys present what we thought about it, a few guys had questions but for the most part pretty much everyone agreed, pretty much everyone was on board and it wasn’t just for our team’s situation — it was kind of looking at teams that had a 10 percent chance to make (the playoffs) now they’re pretty much on a 50/50 playing field,” Martinook said. “But it’s going to be good for the game. It’s going to grow the game. It’s going to keep a lot of fan bases in it and we want to do anything we can to keep people excited in the times that we’re in. We’re not looking past that, we want the NHL to do the best we can, and we want the players to help the world and give people something to rally around.”

While the Hurricanes were one of only two teams to vote “no,” that doesn’t mean other players and teams didn’t have concerns about it. When The Athletic asked Martinook if he felt players with concerns about leaving their families, etc., felt comfortable speaking up, he said:

“It’s definitely a unique situation. I think the NHLPA has been in contact daily. I think they’ve done everything they can. I know the return to play committee has worked so hard, with so many different options. As players, I think we’re just playing the waiting game. We’re in limbo and it’s nice to finally get Phase 2 potentially going and have an idea that we’re going to be coming back. … I’m sure guys aren’t worried about speaking out about that, but there are probably a ton of doctors out there not around their families because they’re exposed to it. There are so many people in worse positions than us, and if we have to be away from our families for two or three weeks, I think guys understand that.”

As for safety, Martinook trusts the NHL and the Players Association have done their due diligence.

“I think it can be done safely, and I know just by being on every PA call that they’ve enlisted help from so many different doctors, I don’t think they would let us come back if it wasn’t safe,” Martinook said. “All the stuff that’s been sent out to us, safety has been the main key. It doesn’t look good if we come back and a bunch of us get sick. I think they’ve done their due diligence. … I’m obviously back in Canada so I would have to come back and do a 14-day self-isolation then obviously I’d be doing small groups at the rink. I have a wife and a small child so I’m in between if I should be bringing them back right away or feel it out, it’s definitely a stressful time, this weekend has been kinda hard on me 1185228 Chicago Blackhawks Maybe we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. But watching Blackhawks hockey in the summer sounds like something we all can get into during Illinois’ phase three, which includesthe reopening of some restaurants Having the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs — no matter how they got and bars. there — is good for hockey Many items still have to be checked off to restart the NHL season, including the health and safety protocols that all sports have made a priority. By PAUL SULLIVAN CHICAGO TRIBUNE |MAY 25, 2020 | 8:00 AM One thing we do know is there will be no home-ice advantage for the Hawks because teams will be playing in empty rinks in two yet-to-be- determined hubs. Las Vegas is the front-runner for one, according to “Miracle on Ice” was coined during the 1980 Winter Olympics in reports, while Edmonton, Alberta; St. Paul, Minn.; Columbus, Ohio; reference to the U.S. men’s hockey team’s stunning upset of the Soviet Nashville, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C. are also being considered. Union. There will be no Jim Cornelison available to get the Hawks juiced up with And if the NHL season returns this summer after shutting down during the national anthem and probably no playing of “Here Come the Hawks” the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago Blackhawks will have an or “Chelsea Dagger” to remind players of the United Center. Maybe they opportunity to stage Miracle on Ice 2.0. can bring a boom box to the locker room with a mix tape. After talks of having 20 or 22 teams compete in the playoffs under a One thing the Hawks have going for them is no one will give them a revised format, the NHLPA on Friday voted in favor of a 24-team format chance to win, so there’s absolutely no pressure. So start shaving those that eliminates only seven clubs. quarantine beards, Hawks, and get ready to start your playoff beards. That means the Hawks, who were left for dead by most when the season After several weeks of being reminded of the glory days of the franchise shut down with 12 games left, have been given new life, along with the with reruns of postseason classics, at least it appears we’ll eventually get Montreal Canadiens, who had next to no chance making it in the Eastern to see the real deal. Conference. At this point of the stay-at-home order, we’ll take whatever we can get. It’s their biggest comeback of the year — and they did it without even scoring a goal. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 05.26.2020 It’s easy to speculate why the NHL would want both Original Six teams involved in the playoffs, even if they had to be gerrymandered in. The Hawks have three of the league’s biggest stars in Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith, while the Canadiens have the most renowned goaltender in Carey Price. They both have significant fan bases, play in large markets and have storied histories.

It’s not like they’re letting in the Senators and Sabres.

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Whatever the reason, apologies are in order for Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, who told me in March that he expected a “mad dash” to the finish line when the season restarted and that he believed the Hawks still had a chance to get in.

“Who knows what’s going to happen?” Wirtz said. “Some of the teams were doing really well, and you break their momentum. ... Let’s put it this way: We haven’t given up on the season, even though we were going to be long shots. As they say, funnier things have happened.”

I laughed and told Wirtz that there was no way that would happen. The Hawks had recently lost to the Red Wings, one of the league’s worst teams, and then were shut out by the Blues 2-0 at the United Center, making an uphill climb for the final wild-card spot that much harder.

But Wirtz was right, thanks in great part to the expanded playoff format. The Hawks will still be considerable long shots, but, as he said, funnier things have happened.

It was only a year ago that the Lightning, who had the top seed in the East after a record-tying 62 wins, were swept in the first-round by the eighth-seeded Blue Jackets, while the Blues, who were counted out in January, wound up winning the Stanley Cup.

With the long layoff, no one knows which teams will be ready upon their return. If the Hawks can get past the Oilers in the best-of-five “play-in” series — which isn’t unthinkable — they’ll play one of the West’s top four teams that were awarded a bye.

Those teams — the Blues, Avalanche, Golden Knights and Stars — will play a round robin for seeding. But because the games won’t be do-or- die, you can’t really expect any of them to bring the same amount of intensity as the eight teams in the West’s play-in round. Will that hurt them later when they play a team coming off a hard-fought first-round win?

So maybe the Hawks will get some momentum, and perhaps Corey Crawford picks up where he left off before the shutdown. You have to assume Kane and Toews will turn it up in their return to the playoffs. And that the 28th-ranked power play will suddenly … well, OK. 1185229 Chicago Blackhawks pain, fever/chills, muscle pain (not exercise-related), loss of smell or taste, coldlike symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms, are expected to notify medical officials immediately and self-isolate.

NHL plans to open practice facilities and have small group workouts early If a COVID-19 test comes back positive, the player/staff member's team next month will conduct contract tracing in conjunction with local health regulations.

Apart from laying out the groundwork for Phase 2 and continuing By ASSOCIATED PRESS MAY 25, 2020 | 2:12 PM discussions on the 24-team format, plenty of other hurdles remain before the games will be allowed to resume.

Should the NHL return sometime this summer, it’s almost certain teams TORONTO-The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon will be clustered in hub cities across North America — Vancouver, — with plenty of precautions. Edmonton, Toronto and Las Vegas are believed to be in the mix — with games being held in empty arenas. The league, which paused its season March 12 because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, released a memo Monday saying it is targeting early next The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893, save for month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak, and 2005 when a lockout led including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary to the cancellation of the entire season. group workouts on and off the ice. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 05.26.2020 "It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last," the said read. "We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club's markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties."

The NHL, which has worked closely with the NHL Players' Association on the phased approach, said that while it views the protocol as "very comprehensive ... (it) cannot mitigate all risk."

"A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome," the 22-page memo continued. "COVID-19 generally affects older age groups and those with previously existing medical conditions, more so than younger, and otherwise healthy, individuals.

"We recognize that players and personnel have family and household members who may fall into these vulnerable categories."

Column: Having the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs — no matter how they got there — is good for hockey »

If the Phase 2 plan gets the green light, on-ice sessions will be noncontact and involve up to six players, who will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities, and when not able to physically distance.

"Players are not required to wear face coverings when they are exercising or on the ice," the memo said.

Teams are not allowed to require a player to return to a club's home city to complete any necessary quarantine measures before the workouts begin. Coaches and management will be allowed to watch, but not participate in, the informal skates.

The final two phases of the return-to-play protocol — training camps followed by a resumption of game action — were not mentioned in the memo. Phase 1, which continues after a number of extensions, saw players advised to self-quarantine after the novel coronavirus paused most of the sports world some 10 weeks ago.

The NHL/NHLPA Return to Play Committee has been hashing out details of what the game will look like if it’s allowed to return this summer. The union’s executive board approved further negotiations on a 24-team format Friday.

The Phase 2 memo made public Monday also states players and staff will be administered COVID-19 nasal swab tests two days before training begins and will be tested twice a week afterward. They must perform daily self-administered temperature and symptom checks at home before heading to their team's facility.

Clubs must also administer "a separate temperature and symptom check at the entrance of the club facility."

Players who live in NHL markets other than where they play will be permitted to use local facilities, pending availability, meaning they won't have to travel back to their team's home cities for Phase 2.

Most NHL players have not been on the ice since the league halted its schedule, although some, including a number of Swedish players who returned home, have been skating in recent weeks.

The league said any player or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms during Phase 2, including cough, shortness of breath, chest 1185230 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks can soon begin small workouts as NHL plans first move out of coronavirus shutdown

The league announced Monday a detailed plan for Phase 2 of its “Return to Sport Protocol,” which will allow the Hawks and other teams to hold workouts with up to six participants.

By Ben Pope May 25, 2020, 4:15pm CDT

The Blackhawks remain in a complete coronavirus shutdown, but the NHL announced plans Monday that will soon begin to move them out of it.

A lengthy memorandum released by the league outlines rules for the second phase of its “Return to Sport Protocol,” which is now scheduled to begin in early June.

The most prominent changes will be reopening team practice facilities and permitting players to hold small-group workouts together in anticipation of an eventual resumption to the season.

Although those workouts won’t be allowed to exceed six participants and can’t have any coaches or trainers present, they’ll represent the first sign of hockey life since the season was suspended indefinitely March 12.

That means coach Jeremy Colliton won’t be able to call the team together for practices, but a leader like Jonathan Toews or Duncan Keith could, and likely will, start organizing sessions as players slowly migrate back to Chicago.

The memo states that teams still can’t require their players to return from their homes and that a 14-day quarantine period will be required for virtually all returning players. Toews said on a March 31 Zoom call that most of his Hawks teammates had left the city, although he was riding out the pandemic at his Chicago home.

Players also will be tested for the coronavirus twice a week and checked for symptoms and their temperature every day.

The weekend easily was the most eventful stretch yet of the NHL’s shutdown, between the phase progression announcement Monday and the NHL Players Association’s agreement Saturday to a 24-team playoff format this year.

That format would include the Hawks — despite their mediocre 32-30-8 record and low chance of qualifying for the 16-team format when the season stopped — and likely put them in a best-of-five first-round series against the Oilers, whom they’ve beaten twice in three tries this season.

But an overwhelming amount of logistical challenges remain, such as where the playoffs will take place and how players, coaches and staff will be kept safe once they begin.

A Hawks spokesperson, reached Monday, deferred comment on the second phase progression to the league’s announcement.

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NHL Phase 2 target time and guidelines firming up for Return to Play

By Scott King May 25, 2020 9:57 AM

On Monday morning, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the NHL and NHLPA sent out a protocol for Phase 2, which includes team practice facilities opening up and small group workouts beginning, that was sent to players and teams late Sunday night.

The memo stated the NHL is planning on transitioning to Phase 2 in early June but the league isn't sure specifically when and how long the camps may last according to LeBrun.

The document also stressed player participation in Phase 2 is voluntary as teams can't require players to travel back to the home ice cities.

Per LeBrun, the agreement also states no more than six players are permitted to be at a practice facility at one time and no coaches or other team personnel are allowed on the ice.

Players will be required to wear face coverings while entering and leaving facilities and inside facilities during times when "social distancing cannot be maintained.''

For testing during Phase 2, LeBrun tweeted the following excerpt from the memo:

"As an over-riding principle, testing of asymptomatic Players and Club personnel must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests.''

The NHL released the protocol to the public at 10 a.m. central on Monday.

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Dave Bolland made another monumental play in 2013 playoffs before '17 Seconds'

By Scott King May 24, 2020 10:48 PM

Former Blackhawks forward and two-time Stanley Cup champion Dave Bolland is mostly remembered for the '17 Seconds' in which Bryan Bickell and he each scored with under 1:16 left in regulation to take a 3-2 lead and win the Stanley Cup in 2013's Game 6 of the Final against the Boston Bruins.

Another remarkable play made by Bolland can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago's "Hawks Rewind" of Game 7 of the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday at 4 p.m.

The Hawks had climbed back after being down 3-1 in the series, due to three straight losses, to force a game seven at the United Center. It was the last year the longtime rivals would be in the same conference.

With 1:47 remaining in regulation, a Niklas Hjalmarsson goal, that would have given Chicago a 2-1 lead, was disallowed due to controversial roughing penalties behind the play for Brandon Saad and Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey.

Things were looking grim for the Hawks, who had valiantly battled their way back, seemingly only to be cheated out of a victory they earned. Saad had been launched into the Wings' bench and picked up and thrown down to the ice by Quincey. The Hawks rookie forward received his roughing penalty for retaliating by barely swatting at Quincey from his back. The game should have been over.

Everyone remembers what came next: Brent Seabrook's beautiful overtime goal to propel the Hawks through the rest of the postseason and his yell to the UC rafters while being mobbed by his teammates after the fact.

Seeing the determination and fight that the Blackhawks had against insurmountable odds and the way they pulled out one of the most memorable goals and wins in team history, it was hard not to feel that the Cup was theirs already at this point, unless you were a member of the team that still had a lot of work to do.

"You can't really sit there and say, 'We're going to win this,'" Bolland said over the phone. "The Stanley Cup is a tough trophy to win, it has to be the hardest trophy to win out there. But we had a great team that year. I think we had a lot of leadership through Seabs and Tazer and Kaner. All the guys that went through 2010, we knew what it felt like. When you get that first feeling of hoisting it, you want to do it over and over and over again."

What fans may not remember is that Bolland unequivocally made a play to get Seabrook the puck and without him, one of the greatest goals in franchise history never happens. There's no certainty the Hawks would have won Game 7 without the OT sequence that unfolded either.

"That Game 7 against Detroit was a big game," Bolland said. "I know I went and hit (Gustav) Nyquist and Seabsy picked up the puck and had a great shot and put it in the back of the net for the 'W'."

"Hit" is phrasing it modestly. Bolland pulverized Nyquist, with a clean crunch sending him into the boards and down to the ice. The puck Nyquist was carrying found Seabrook, who skated it into the offensive zone and placed a wrist shot perfectly over Jimmy Howard's glove from the high slot 3:35 into overtime.

Bolland was justly credited with an assist for his efforts.

The play he made set the table for the goal that saved the Hawks' 2013 postseason life and gave them momentum and confidence they'd ride the rest of the way.

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Ever wonder how "Chelsea Dagger" became the Blackhawks' goal song?

By Scott King May 23, 2020 9:48 AM

Ever wonder how "Chelsea Dagger" became the Blackhawks' goal song?

If you've been to just one Hawks game in the past decade, the team's goal song — the Fratellis' "Chelsea Dagger" — is still probably on repeat in your head.

Not only is it a catchy tune, but it's become synonymous with the Blackhawks' renaissance and decade of dominance. For the vast majority of the past 10 years, when Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and other already legendary Hawks were having big nights and playoff series were being won, you were hearing the "do do do do do do" chorus.

In a Zoom conference call interview with NBC Sports Chicago, former Blackhawks intern Matthew Benjamin said he would work the song into the rotation during 2008-09 preseason games when he was controlling the music.

"They were trying to do some other songs, and pretty much right from the get-go, give them a lot of credit for trusting me to run the music and trusting an intern basically three or four months out of undergrad, working for an Original Six team to try this out," said Benjamin, a diehard and lifelong Detroit Red Wings fan, whose car with a license plate reading "WingsIn7" could be spotted in the UC employee parking lot while he was helping write Blackhawks history.

Benjamin had been playing the song for Hawks employees around the office before getting a crack at playing tunes for games.

Former president of the Blackhawks John McDonough and executive vice president — still with the team — Jay Blunk were at Madison Square Garden to see the Hawks take on the Rangers for the 08-09 season opener and came to the realization that the organization may need one standalone goal song after hearing the same one repeated in New York four times.

According to NBC Sports Chicago Blackhawks pre and postgame host Pat Boyle, prior to 08-09 the Hawks mostly played Joe Satriani's "Crowd Chant" and had individual songs for players like Jonathan Toews ("Johnny B. Goode"), Patrick Kane ("Rock You Like a Hurricane") and Patrick Sharp ("Sharp Dressed Man").

McDonough and Blunk polled Blackhawks headquarters and the overwhelming majority determined a lone goal song was needed.

Due to Matthew's persistence, the song made it into Pete Hassen and Ben Broder of the marketing department's top three. It was worked into games more and more, along with a Fall Out Boy and Gwen Stefani number.

The Madhouse on Madison responded the most to the Fratellis' jam and the rest is history.

"When you see something . . . the work, the time you put into it and you see it kind of come together, you see other people enjoying it, it's a nice thing," Benjamin said.

As he told his story, there seemed to be some relief and closure for Matthew, who spoke very highly of his time with the Hawks, for finally receiving some acknowledgement in helping provide the theme song for the golden age of Blackhawks hockey.

"This is something that I've known that I've been a part of. I've told some people [but] it's pretty hard for anybody to believe me, It's not like there's a lot of proof," he said.

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Blackhawks 2019-20 season in review: Corey Crawford

By Charlie Roumeliotis May 25, 2020 6:00 AM

The NHL put its 2019-20 season on pause March 12 due to the COVID- 19 pandemic but remains hopeful to award the Stanley Cup at some point. Although it's unclear if or when it could return, NBC Sports Chicago will recap the season of each Blackhawks player to date in our "season in review" series. Next up is Corey Crawford.

One of the most intriguing storylines going into Blackhawks training camp this season was how the goaltending tandem would work between Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner, both of whom were going to be pending unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

You have a two-time Stanley Cup champion on one end and a reigning Vezina Trophy finalist on another and each of them deserved their fair share of starts. It's a good problem to have if you're a coach, but the other part of the challenge is trying to keep both netminders happy.

"They both want to play 60 games, 80 games maybe,” head coach Jeremy Colliton said in November. “That's part of the team. [Patrick Kane] wants to play 60 minutes. It's how it is. Ultimately, we want to make decisions that help the team win and part of that is keeping both guys fresh, keeping both guys playing at a high level and I think that's going to be a benefit for us as the season goes on."

For most of the season, it worked.

Going into the NHL All-Star break, the Blackhawks had the sixth-best team save percentage at .913; Lehner led the way at .922 and Crawford was at .910. But coming out of the break, Crawford was lights out and Lehner was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights at the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

From Jan. 27 and on, Crawford went 7-7-1 with a 2.46 goals-against average, .927 save percentage, 7.60 goals saved above average and 9.76 high-danger goals saved above average, which ranked No. 1 among all goaltenders over that span, according to Natural Stat Trick. He clearly got into a rhythm the more starts he got and kept the Blackhawks in the playoff race down the stretch.

"He’s been excellent, coming up with big saves when we needed them," Colliton said of Crawford at the beginning of March. "He’s been excellent for a while now. I’d have to really work to go back to find one where we didn’t like his play. It’s a big boost for our group."

With the NHL Players' Association signing off over the weekend on the NHL's proposed 24-team return-to-play format, the Blackhawks will have an opportunity to compete for a playoff spot when hockey returns. And if Crawford can get back to the level he was at before the NHL pause, don't count out the Blackhawks to make some noise because a hot goaltender could be the difference in a series.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185235 Chicago Blackhawks It was a long week of waiting. I got back behind my computer at 8 p.m. on Saturday and waited for more drama to occur. None came. I won the autographed balls at $950 and the bats for $200.

I spent $1,000 on autographed baseballs — here’s how you can win With the buyer’s premium, I spent a little more than $1,000 for the them baseballs. I can stomach that … barely … and this is why: I want to give away a majority of them and raise money for a COVID-19 charity while doing so. I can’t use GoFundMe to raffle off items, so this won’t By Scott Powers May 25, 2020 technically be a raffle. If you can afford to, I’m asking you to please donate to my fundraiser for the United Way of Metro Chicago and

Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund. Whether it’s $5 or more, What had I gotten myself into? it’ll be greatly appreciated. The fund is set up for the donations to go directly to the charity. It was the final hour of the Goldin Auctions’ spring premium auction — or at least I thought it was — and I was desperately hoping to be outbid on But regardless if you donate, you can email me at [email protected] and one item and run away with another. let me know if you’d like to enter the autographed baseball drawings. Beginning on Monday, June 1 and for at least 15 consecutive weekdays, Yes, I wanted to win and lose. That’s a strange place to be, and I had I will reveal on Twitter an autographed baseball for that day, draw a only myself to blame. But such is the life of an auction buyer. (This was random winner and mail the baseball. (I may give away more than 15 my first auction, for the record.) baseballs, but that’s the minimum number for now.)

On the one hand, I knew I shouldn’t have bid $350 on the Chicago So, let’s raise some money for charity and let me share some of my Examiner’s 1911 Chicago Cubs calendar. But it just felt so right at the autographed baseballs with you. That would definitely make this whole moment. The item hit a few sweet spots for me: Journalism, the Cubs experience worthwhile. and history. The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 If that had been the only piece I was looking to win, I could have lived with it. But I had already bid on two other items, and one was starting to cost me much more than I expected.

The key item was a lot of signed baseballs. The signatures included Bob Feller, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., Juan Marichal, Enos Slaughter, Ferguson Jenkins, Davey Johnson, Billy Williams, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., Fred Lynn, Boog Powell, Allie Reynolds, Bert Blyleven, Hoyt Wilhelm, Frank Thomas, Monte Irvin, Gaylord Perry, Rafael Palmeiro, Tom Seaver, Paul Blair, Rollie Fingers and Leon Day.

I wasn’t especially attached to any player on that list, but it seemed like the biggest bang for the buck. I had also concocted a plan for the baseballs — which I’ll explain shortly — and was set on seeing it through. The minimum bid was $200 and at $550, I became the leading bidder. It was a number I was OK with. When someone outbid me and I went to $650, I was a little less OK. When I got pushed to $750, then $850 and finally $950, I was far from OK. There is an addictive and competitive rush you get as you’re bidding. It does fade quickly and harshly, though.

The other problem was I had also bid $150 on two Starlin Castro bats from when he was with the Cubs. There was a period when the Cubs were just awful and Castro was one of the few reasons to still watch them. As I bid, it just seemed too neat to possess a Castro game-used bat from that time.

My original plan was to spend less than $1,000, come out with a few notable items and have an interesting story to write for The Athletic’s memorabilia series. Unfortunately, that plan was long gone when the auction was wrapping up on Saturday, May 16.

And then the auction’s website crashed.

My anxiety shot up. The reality of my situation sunk further in. What was I thinking? I didn’t have to do this. As soon as the auction asked for my credit card, I should have wised up and walked away. But, no, here I was, well beyond what I could afford. I’m an idiot.

As this was all bouncing through my head, I couldn’t even imagine the people who were bidding on really expensive items. The auction was full of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant memorabilia. What a time to be selling MJ items, by the way. We’re talking many items over $100,000. There was a Mike Trout card that was auctioned for $922,500.

Goldin Auctions attempted to get the auction back up that evening, but the site couldn’t handle the amount of traffic. The deadline got pushed back. A day later, someone saved me and outbid me on the calendar. I was also outbid on the Castro bats at $175. I should have probably stepped away from that as well, but I went up another $25 and went back on top.

The website faltered again Saturday night. Goldin Auctions decided to delay the auction. Ultimately, the auction was broken into three segments and concluded on separate days. My lots fell on the final day, this past Saturday. 1185236 Colorado Avalanche Are there other facets about the show that could have been more realistic beyond the office decor and furniture? Patrick believes “Sports Night’ tried to capture the aspects that made the partnership between himself Inside the cult classic that was ‘Sports Night’ with those who knew it well and Olbermann successful when they were at “SportsCenter.”

“We were very lucky. We can’t explain it,” Patrick said. “We just did it and people were trying to emulate it or thought that’s how you became By Ryan S. Clark May 25, 2020 successful. Like, we got to the point where we were actually mocking our success. I think that’s the hard part. You’re trying to capture something

but are you really capturing it? Was that your goal to make it in our image Keith Olbermann was walking up Sixth Avenue in Manhattan when he and our likeness? saw someone approaching he knew but also really didn’t know. “Or were you just saying, ‘I’m going to take a little bit of this but I still want The person Olbermann saw was Josh Charles. it to have more serious storylines there?’”

It was the year 2000. Charles was a few months removed from Patrick shared how he and Olbermann “had a hell of a lot of fun” when completing the second and final season of “Sports Night.” The Aaron they were together. They did “SportsCenter” with “this Eddie Sorkin-created show portrayed a fictional third-place sports cable Haskell/‘Leave It To Beaver’-type feeling” where they were nice to network attempting to compete against the real-life Goliaths that were management during the day only to try to “get away with murder” at night ESPN and Fox. when the show aired. Patrick felt like “Sports Night” was still missing some of the danger he and Olbermann experienced at ESPN. Charles, along with Peter Krause, Robert Guillaume, Felicity Huffman, Joshua Malina and Sabrina Lloyd, comprised the main cast for a show “Management didn’t embrace us. Management tolerated us,” Patrick that won three Emmy Awards despite its brief tenure on ABC. Sorkin said. “That’s what made it even more enjoyable. The fact that it’s live and drew inspiration from Olbermann and Dan Patrick — the famed ESPN we’re there Monday through Friday doing this and they gave us an hour? “SportsCenter” duo — with some of the show’s stories based on another At night? That’s what they missed. They didn’t have that tension that was former anchor in Craig Kilborn. there: Are we going to get in trouble for this? Or let’s try to get away with that or I can’t believe you said that. Those were the things that played out Charles and Krause portrayed sports anchors Dan Rydell and Casey in real-time and to try to capture that, I guess that was the hard part for McCall, respectively, who hosted a nightly highlights show in the same Aaron. manner Olbermann and Patrick did with “SportsCenter.” It has been said Rydell was crafted to be more in the image of Olbermann while McCall “Or maybe he saw it a different way. Look, in fairness to who he is and was sculpted to mirror Patrick. what he does and how he does it, who am I to argue with that?”

“I was like, ‘I don’t know him. I obviously watched the show and I’ve “Sports Night” ultimately struggled for viewers. It ranked 53rd among talked to Aaron Sorkin about it and he’s used episodes from my life,’” network primetime shows when the 2000 season closed. ABC decided it Olbermann recalled when talking about his first meeting with Charles. had no more runway. “But here the guy comes. I’ve got at minimum two minutes to say what it Back then, a drama was a drama and a sitcom was a sitcom. Shows is I want to say to Josh. So, I’ve got it, I got it. We’re about to pass on stayed within that framework. “Sports Night” fit multiple genres. It was Sixth Avenue right in front of (the Fox Broadcasting Company) building. I complex. Olbermann said that made the show polarizing for critics and say, ‘Excuse me’ and he gives me the movie star look of, ‘Yes, I’m network executives. famous.’ You know, that one. He recognizes me and has this look of shock and horror appears like, ‘Oh my God.’ “Nobody knew what he was going for,” Olbermann explained. “Whether that was supposed to be serious or politically what we would now call “I went, ‘You don’t get to say this a lot in life but didn’t you used to play ‘woke’ or if it was supposed to be about sports or if it was supposed to be me on TV?’ He busts up laughing. I bust up laughing and he gave me a about the relationships of people there. Nobody knew what the hell it big hug.” was. This launched a friendship that still stands between Charles and “Now that would be a selling point.” Olbermann. Although, this could also be interpreted as the literal translation of when art imitates life. Or maybe the other way around? But there was another concern Olbermann recalled that Sorkin shared with him about the show: He wanted to allow McCall and Rydell to retain Olbermann’s account with the man who played Rydell for 45 episodes is their individual personalities and not essentially become mirror copies of one of many stories that has come in the 20 years since “Sports Night” each other. left television. Sorkin’s first foray into writing a TV series has become a cult classic and is often listed among shows many believe were canceled Olbermann believes that’s why Sorkin restructured the plot lines in the too soon. Of course, Sorkin went on to create three more shows in “The second season to feature more characters, such as executive producer West Wing,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and “The Newsroom.” Dana Whitaker (Huffman) and managing editor Isaac Jaffe (Guillaume).

Debates have long been held regarding why “Sports Night” was short- “Sports Night” offered some insight — or as much as a fictionalized TV lived. Some pointed toward how the show had what was then a bizarre show can — about life inside a newsroom. There delved into how they format unlike anything else on TV. ABC labeled the prime-time program covered stories and the hypothetical ethical dilemmas. The 12th episode as a comedy-drama, or what would now be designated as a dramedy. in Season 2 entitled “The Sweet Smell of Air” centers around how the Initially, earlier episodes had a laugh track that dissipated over the show has a chance for an exclusive with Michael Jordan — with the course of the first season with that feature gone in Season 2. caveat they can only ask him about his new cologne and not sports.

“I was living in a hotel in L.A. while we were shooting ‘The American However, they soon discover the Jordan interview was offered with the President,’” Sorkin recently wrote in an email to The Athletic about why idea they would agree to those conditions because they needed the he created the show. “When I’d come home from the set at night I’d turn ratings bump. on ‘SportsCenter’ and it would keep me company until I fell asleep. I started thinking that I’d like to set a movie at a ‘SportsCenter’-type of “It’s one of my favorite words and the first time I really meant it was workplace, but the stories that were coming to me weren’t long enough watching ‘Sports Night.’ The word was: verisimilitude,” Olbermann said. for a movie arc. I mentioned this to my agent and he said I was “Meaning, obviously, that this is not at all what it’s actually like. However, describing a TV series.” for a fictionalized version of what it’s actually like, it’s superb. It ends in the same place a documentary would. You have the same feeling. You There were some dramatized elements that were different than what have the same understanding of the dynamics. You have the same happened in real life. Some of it was small stuff. Olbermann joked about sense of the constant menace of things going wrong or advertisers how McCall and Rydell had these stylish, gigantic offices while he and complaining or the subjects of interviews or stories complaining. You Patrick were relegated to cubicles. have all those same things.

“I think I was there 12 years and I finally got my first office,” Patrick “Meanwhile, it is completely unrealistic about how a television show is put quipped. together or how an all-sports television network would work. I mean, just the idea they did it in New York full time was like, ‘Do you know how But her earlier experiences are what made characters such as senior much more money that would cost?’” associate producer Natalie Hurley, who was played by Lloyd, and Huffman’s Whitaker eye-opening in that environment. What Sorkin achieved with “Sports Night” also came at a time when sports journalism was gaining more mainstream appeal — even if “You have to understand the context at the time,” Mueller explained. “To Olbermann and Patrick were not immediately aware. even see women doing sports was a step. Looking back, it does not feel like that. It feels like you have a token woman working in research in Practically everyone who worked at ESPN lived in or around Bristol, Natalie and Dana is a ball-buster. Looking back, you think, they did not which Olbermann said made it like a “factory town” in that there was not characterize them very well. But at the time, the only thing you ever see this massive awareness of how the outside world felt about is the finished product on TV and you don’t realize who are the people “SportsCenter” in an era before social media. He estimated that if there behind the scenes and it actually is helpful. were 10 customers in a grocery store in Bristol or neighboring Southington, three or four of them were ESPN employees. “Having been a producer … I understand how hard that job is. I have tremendous respect for how (Huffman’s) character was portrayed in a lot “You had a sort of vague idea that beyond the horizon where the cars go of cases. It’s the person who controls a lot of what is on TV.” toward New York that there are people watching this,” Olbermann said. “But in Bristol, it’s just like, ‘Oh, thank God you guys are here because all Romi Bean was in middle school when “Sports Night” aired. She is now the mills closed and we wouldn’t have any employment in this town an anchor/reporter at KCNC-TV, Denver’s CBS affiliate. Watching without you.’ But there was no sense of it having an impact. “Sports Night” made sports journalism look like fun to Bean.

“For several years, Dan would go to cover an NBA series or something. She rattles off plotlines such as the “Small Town” episode, when Dana He would call me and say, ‘Hey, before I forget, Charles Barkley was and Casey go on a double date with separate people but were more asking me questions about you.’ … We had fans everywhere but there interested in a late trade. was no way of perceiving that.” “There was a point when the lady who was with Casey said, ‘You need to Patrick said the first time he and Olbermann realized they had an impact calm down. It’s just sports,’” Bean said. “I know it’s just sports. But it’s was when they were in “TV Guide” for a story about “The 10 Shows To not. In a lot of ways, it makes the world go round. Watching those guys, I Watch.” felt like I was in their seat. That, yeah, I should probably be working and what if a late trade happens? It’s funny because I feel like that is what my “It sort of dawned on us and we were cordoned off from mainstream life has turned into.” America being in Bristol, Conn.,” Patrick said. “We saw that and I think things changed. Maybe not with ourselves but how people viewed us. We Bean was also impacted by seeing female characters in important roles went from this fraternity show where it’s just, ‘Hey, if you’re watching, it’s on “Sports Night.” fun and if you’re staying up at 11 o’clock, great.’ And then all of a sudden, it started to take shape and it just kept rolling.” “It was empowering,” Bean said of watching Huffman’s Whitaker. “It was like, ‘Yeah. She was the badass.’ She hung with the guys and they One of those people who stayed up to watch Olbermann and Patrick respected her and it was because she stood her ground. It was what she happened to be Sorkin. stood for. It did not feel like this ‘I am a lady in sports’ and for me as a young woman, it made me feel there is totally a place for us in this John Ourand, the media reporter for Sports Business Journal, said business.” before Olbermann and Patrick, local sports broadcasts usually dedicated 5 to 10 minutes to highlights in a pretty serious manner. But the approach Having Whitaker in her role and Guillaume’s Jaffe as the highest-ranking Olbermann and Patrick used was unlike anything at the time. official at the Continental Sports Network made “Sports Night” a trailblazer with women and minorities as decision-makers, an area in “You’ve got these two that really blazed a trail for making it fun and which the industry — which counted 85 percent of sports editors as white different and writing scripts around the highlights unlike anything and 90 percent as men in a 2018 Associated Press Sports Editors report everyone had seen before,” Ourand said. “It spawned a lot of imitators card — still lags two decades later. and it’s probably one of the reasons why ‘Sports Night’ ended up launching when it did. It tried to tap into that popularity. It was unique. Were those moves intentional by Sorkin? They had chemistry that was unique. They had scripts that were unique and they combined smarts with humor to show highlights in a different “There weren’t any racial or ethnic descriptions of characters in the pilot way that was so completely brand new. script,” Sorkin wrote. “We got word that Robert Guillaume was interested in playing Isaac and that was the end of the casting search.” “Even today, when we look back on it, you consider that to be the heyday of ‘SportsCenter.’” Now comes a few questions often associated with every show that has been off the air for some time. Olbermann had already left ESPN when “Sports Night” debuted but his partnership with Patrick along with Sorkin’s show provided future sports Would “Sports Night” be relevant today if it returned to TV? And what journalists insight into what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives. would such a reboot look like?

Jen Mueller is a Seattle-based reporter and producer for ROOT Sports Let’s start with the first question. An argument could be made that a Northwest. She produces programming for the Seattle Mariners while revamped “Sports Night” could offer insight into what any all-sports also doing sideline reporting for the Seattle Seahawks. She was at channel today would face while competing against mighty ESPN. Both Southern Methodist University when “Sports Night” was on TV. Olbermann and Patrick left the World Wide Leader for other ventures that have given them more perspective on why challenging ESPN is a harder Mueller was interning at a sports department in Dallas and said “Sports proposition than most might realize. Night” felt like a grander version of what she was experiencing. Still, Mueller was trying to find her footing in an industry where she was told “I think they think it’s easy or you can do this overnight,” Patrick said. “I that women do not belong. remember when Chris Myers and Keith went to Fox Sports. They were trying to challenge us overnight and I remember saying to Keith, ‘Pack a “I was told ‘Good luck’ and that you probably need a backup plan,” she fucking lunch, dude. You got a long way to go if you’re going to come said. “It’s why I graduated with two majors and two minors. There were after us.’ Then, it became territorial like Sharks and Jets. You’re trying to no guarantees there was room in sports for women. … The plan was if I change viewing patterns. People watch probably four or five channels a could not get into sports on TV, that maybe they would let me do news. It night and ‘SportsCenter’ was always there. We were omnipresent. is why I took political science classes and if they did not let me be on TV Whenever you needed us, we were there. We started airing the show in altogether, I then had plenty of people saying I was not pretty enough to the morning re-airs. We were going to be there in your life. Let us know be on TV.” the time and we would be there.

She graduated from SMU with degrees in journalism and public policy. “Whereas Fox Sports was trying to do that and change your viewing Mueller began her career in Dallas and then moved to Seattle where she patterns and it wasn’t going to happen. It’s sort of like the USFL when has become one of the most established figures in the city’s sports they were trying to challenge the NFL. They had some stars but they journalism landscape. were trying to do it in a three-year window, when if they had played a little bit more of a long game, added some more talent, they could have some of those teams absorb kind of like what the ABA did with the NBA.” Olbermann said every network that has tried to challenge ESPN over the Viewers — old fans of “Sports Night” and new ones — still find the show years keeps missing one thing: Time. on streaming services.

He recalled working with a British television executive named Tony Ball Andy Yamashita is one of those new viewers. A journalism and ethnic when Olbermann arrived at Fox. Ball, per Olbermann, made it clear that studies major at the University of Washington, Yamashita was not even Fox could not look at its ratings for five years because that is how much born when “Sports Night” debuted in 1998. He found the show after time it would have taken to gain ground. Even more so because a show watching another Sorkin project, “The Newsroom.” like “SportsCenter” had a 20-plus year head start. “I know this might be tough for people to hear but it’s like looking at a “It’s going to take something longer than the first World War to get them period piece,” Yamashita said. “Just knowing this is how something used off their feet,” Olbermann said of ESPN. “Tony completely agreed and to work. It gives you a bigger sense of how it was back then. … Every kid then about six months into the project, Tony’s wife said she was moving has watched ‘SportsCenter’ and has at least thought at one point, ‘Maybe back to England and that she could not stand it in the United States I can do that?’ or ‘What’s that like?’ ‘Sports Night’ gave you that idea.” anymore. He went with her and the next thing you knew, we had somebody else in charge of it who said we’re switching from a five-year It’s now been more than 20 years since Sports Night aired its final plan to a five-month plan because we can raise the ratings one-eighth of episode. The series ended with the network purchased by a new owner a point if we do this, this and this. who planned to keep “Sports Night” — the actual name of the show that McCall and Rydell hosted — on the air, which provided a sense of “It took us right out of competition with ‘SportsCenter.’ Every other closure. Olbermann explained how that was the ending Sorkin went with company that tried to compete with ESPN — especially when it came to because he thought the show was going to be renewed for a third sports news — made the same mistakes. They didn’t do anything new, season. really. They imitated ‘SportsCenter’ and then, they gave up.” But Olbermann revealed there was an alternate ending. This is the part where Olbermann provides an analogy that millions, if not, billions of sports fans can understand. “If (Sorkin) knew it was going to be canceled, he wanted them to be brought into this big executive’s office and have the guy off camera say, ‘I “This is five years of us going out there every day and losing every appreciate everything you guys have done and I’m sure you do a great game,” he said. “It’s not even a rebuild. In five years, we hope to be a job but I just hate sports so you’re all fired and I’m turning it into a cartoon rebuild. It is the 1962 Mets (the expansion team that went 40-120) for five network,’” Olbermann recalled. “At which point, you cut to the desk where years. You go, ‘Who would put up with that? Well? The 1962 Mets won this guy is talking and it’s me. That was the alternate ending. the World Series in 1969.’ There is something to the process but it’s amazing to me that nobody took all this time to just minimize expenses, “We had a filming date scheduled for this and then Aaron said, ‘I think get on the map, be the alternative, counter-program wisely, maybe pick we’re going to be renewed. I think we’re going to have another season. I up a familiar face here or there and nobody has done that. don’t want to jinx it by recording this.’ I told him, ‘You have the jinx backwards. I think you should record it.’” “You could argue that the most successful rival to ESPN was Aaron Sorkin’s sports network on ‘Sports Night.’” So does Sorkin have any regrets about the way “Sports Night” ended? Or is he at peace? OK, so there is a potential starting point for someone seeking to reboot “Sports Night.” “I think if I was writing the show now I’d be able to write it better,” Sorkin told The Athletic. “I had a lot of bad habits back then, and while I still But what would it all look like in today’s landscape? have some of them now, I’d be able to do better.”

“If something, a similar show were to be launched today, I would expect it The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 to be along the lines of a Barstool (Sports podcast),” Ourand said. “Something based off a ‘Pardon My Take’ or a Bill Simmons pod with his cast of characters. Those appear to be interactive shows. They hit a certain segment of the audience that loves those pods and love those shows in a similar way that an earlier generation felt with Olbermann and Patrick.”

Patrick said “Sports Night” could work today if it was a period piece based off what the industry was like in the 1990s. He said those daredevil days of tension between anchors and management are gone because ESPN is “dying for (its anchors) to have fun on the air.”

“When we did it, they didn’t want it and that’s what made it work,” Patrick said. “If you look at these shows, any of these successful shows, there’s usually two or three or four storylines within one story, one episode. There was a little bit of rivalry between the 11 o’clock show and the 6 ‘clock show with Robin Roberts, Bob Ley and Charley Steiner. They were bothered that we called ourselves ‘The Big Show.’ The only reason we did it is because we mocked ourselves and we didn’t know if anybody was watching!

“We were doing things we weren’t supposed to do and because of that, you could do it now looking back then but what you would have now would be a sanitized version and it wouldn’t play.”

Olbermann said a revamped “Sports Night” could thrive in a landscape where audiences — and platforms that extend far beyond TV networks — are looking for depth. He felt like “Sports Night” was an hour-long show packed into 30 minutes. Today, shows are given more time to breathe.

Olbermann also thinks viewers are now more open to what he called “inside the world of” shows. They dive into the minutiae of advertising executives in the 1960s during “Mad Men” or explore life as a chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer in the middle of New Mexico on “Breaking Bad.”

“If somebody did a show that was either officially a reboot of ‘Sports Night’ or unofficially a rip off of ‘Sports Night,’ I think it’d be much more successful now,” Olbermann said. 1185237 Columbus Blue Jackets If the NHL does return this summer, it’s expected that teams will be clustered in "hub" cities across North America, with games being held in empty arenas.

Memo outlines ‘phase 2’ of NHL’s return to team activities Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 05.26.2020

Adam Jardy The Columbus Dispatch

The NHL will begin its second phase of getting back to full resumption of team activities "in early June," according to a 22-page memorandum released Monday.

Under the new regulations put forth in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL will allow teams to reopen their training facilities in their home cities for voluntary training activities involving no more than six players and a limited number of club staff. Players are to remain with the same small group throughout the duration of the phase.

"You can see some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting started," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kelalainen said.

According to the memo, teams are instructed to assist players who do not live in the city in which their team plays in making their return, doing so within all local health guidelines and restrictions.

Players who return to their team’s home city by public transportation, or who are returning from a high-risk environment, will serve a 14-day self- quarantine period before taking part in any activities at the team’s facility.

In addition, players who are sheltering in a location near a club they don’t play for can request access to that team’s facility for the purpose of skating and using the weight room. Last week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that 17% of the league’s players were currently living outside of North America.

Before taking part in any team activities, all participating parties will be tested 48 hours before being allowed into the team facility as long as testing does not take resources away from "Publicly Necessary Testing."

The NHL is in the process of establishing a leaguewide testing solution, and if testing is not available, all players must self-quarantine for 14 days. The memo notes that players will be tested at least twice weekly, if possible, on an ongoing basis.

Should a player test positive during the second phase, "it is not anticipated that an isolated case(s) of COVID-19 would necessitate widescale quarantine" of a team, the memo reads.

When Phase 2 begins, players will be permitted to engage in non-contact skates without coaches or club employees, weight training without the use of a spotter, cardio workouts, resistance training and injury rehabilitation.

Coaches and hockey operations personnel will be allowed to watch skating starting on a later date when the start of training camp is announced by the NHL or the end of the second phase.

Players must wear face coverings at all times while at the team facility except for when they are either exercising or on the ice.

The memo outlines protocols for cleaning and disinfecting throughout the facility. Each team will have to appoint a "Club Facility Hygiene Officer" in charge of ensuring compliance with the Phase 2 protocol.

The memo made no mention of an exact start date for Phase 2, nor a possible duration for how that phase may last before another one begins, ostensibly the reopening of training camps before resuming the season.

"We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties," the memo reads.

The first phase, which came after the suspension of the season March 12, has been extended multiple times and asked players to self- quarantine.

The Return to Play Committee established by the NHL and the players union has been hashing out details of what the game will look like if it returns this summer. Late last week, the union’s executive board approved further negotiations on a 24-team playoff format that would be held in lieu of a completed regular season. 1185238 Columbus Blue Jackets The ninth-seeded Blue Jackets, with a .570 points percentage, would face the eighth-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs in the best-of-five round. Almost fully healthy, the CBJ would be a tough out. Regardless of the Rob Oller | Columbus Blue Jackets winning Stanley Cup would dispel all outcome, the simple fact that they would have a chance to lift the Cup as caveats NHL champions is reason to celebrate a 24-team return.

And who knows? It could end with a selfie taken beside the tall silver dude with dents for dimples. Rob Oller The Columbus Dispatch May 25, 2020 at 6:21 AM Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 05.26.2020

During most any other NHL season, Lord Stanley’s Cup would be narrowing its summer travel plans, whether that meant deep sea fishing off Tampa Bay, dining at a swanky restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay or playing the slots in Vegas.

Maybe even bellying up to the R Bar?

As a celebrity, the trophy gets escorted station to station by winners of the Stanley Cup finals, posing for pictures with more fans than Tom Hanks. And thanks in part to the coronavirus pandemic, Columbus remains in the running to snap a “We won it!” selfie with the most impressive piece of hardware ― size matters ― in sports.

The coronavirus pandemic initially put the kibosh on those tentative photo ops. But given recent events, maybe not.

The skinny: On Friday the NHL Players’ Association approved a 24-team playoff format to restart the 2019-20 season, meaning if play resumes the Blue Jackets would receive an invitation to the dance. Now for some qualifiers: The NHLPA and league still must agree on other issues relevant to resuming play before the revised playoff format is set in stone, and there remains the sensitive issue of safety protocol and procedure.

As The Dispatch’s Brian Hedger reported on Sunday, players from multiple teams are not keen on the idea of quarantining in hotel rooms in hub cities for six weeks or more while the playoffs proceed.

Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois told Hedger, “To me, to be honest, the (playoff) format is not the biggest issue. … I’m a single guy, and I don’t really want to (quarantine). I don’t want to at all, so I can’t even imagine guys with kids.”

Player concerns are understandable, but though it sounds a bit crass to admit, COVID-19 has aided the Blue Jackets’ playoff chances.

Given their dire health situation when the season was suspended on March 12 ― an NHL-high 419 man-games lost to injury ― the CBJ likely were not going to hold on to the second wild-card spot over their final 12 games. In their last game before the virus-induced hiatus, the Jackets took the ice with eight players injured: forwards Cam Atkinson, Josh Anderson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Brandon Dubinsky, Nathon Gerbe and Alexandre Texier, and defensemen Seth Jones and Dean Kukan.

Nearly 10 weeks later, things have brightened; you might even say they glow, considering how the extended pause has allowed many of the key contributors, including Jones, Bjorkstrand and Atkinson, to heal.

The Blue Jackets also own one of the youngest rosters in the league, which might come in handy depending on whether one sees the doughnut or the hole. Older players probably will have benefited from the long rest, but younger bodies get up to speed more easily and quickly, so the Jackets could be more game-ready when playoff “play-in” rounds began in late July.

The 24-team format will cause some purists to put an asterisk on the season, but fans of teams advancing past August ― fall hockey, baby! ― need not apologize. Does anyone think fans of the New Jersey Devils are boo-hooing because they won their first Stanley Cup during the 1994-95 lockout season? Ditto fans of the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks won the Cup after playing only 48 regular-season games due to a lockout.

Consider how Columbus would react if the Blue Jackets won the Cup during a virus-plagued season. Somehow, I don’t hear the Fifth Line lamenting, “We don’t want a tarnished trophy. Give it back.”

The 24-team return would work something like this: The top 12 teams in both the Eastern and Western conferences would be determined by point percentage. The top four in each conference would play a round-robin format, for seeding purposes only, while the remaining teams competed in a best-of-five series to set the field of 16 for the Stanley Cup. 1185239 Dallas Stars Coaches and hockey operations personnel are not allowed to watch the players-only skates until either the league announces a date for the start of training camp, or until two weeks of Phase 2 have passed. No fitness Here’s what Phase 2 of the NHL’s plan to restart the season means for testing is allowed during Phase 2. the Dallas Stars The memo does say that “unintentional or incidental observations of The NHL released a 22-page memo on Monday detailing the reopening player non-contact skates, because of physical location in the building or of facilities and guidelines for workouts. otherwise, are not prohibited.” For instance, Nill’s office overlooks the Stars’ practice rink in Frisco. Nill said he hasn’t been to his office during quarantine and doesn't need to watch the players during Phase 2.

By Matthew DeFranks Players who use commercial transportation to return to club cities will require a 14-day quarantine before they can use the team’s facility. This

would probably apply to the Stars’ European contingent (including Miro The NHL announced its plan Monday morning to reopen team facilities Heiskanen, John Klingberg, Esa Lindell, Denis Gurianov and Anton for small group practices in early June, the latest step toward resuming Khudobin), since those players may not be able to charter a plane across the suspended season. the Atlantic Ocean.

The league released a 22-page memo detailing the plan that would limit The memo stated that Phase 2 practice sessions were voluntary and practice sessions to six players on the ice at a time, without coaches or teams could not force players to return for them. hockey operations personnel present. For the Stars, that would mean “If they’re in a great situation where they’re at, they can skate and work reopening their practice facility, the Comerica Center, in Frisco to out and they’re at home and comfortable, maybe there’s no rush getting players. The league announced early June as the target period but did back here,” Nill said. “We don’t want to rush into something here, so not specify a date. we’re just going to walk our way through it. I want to see what’s our “There’s still no timing for all of this,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said circumstances here, what can we get place here? What’s their Monday. “Is Phase 2 going to be three or four weeks? Is Phase 2 four to circumstances where they’re at?” six weeks? That’s what we don’t know.” If the two-week quarantine was mandatory whenever a player flew back The reopening of team facilities is labeled Phase 2, after the self- Dallas, it could make sense for a player to get that out of the way earlier quarantine period was Phase 1. Training camp will be Phase 3, and rather than closer to training camp. But it’s unclear if that two-week return to play will be Phase 4. The NHLPA recently approved a 24-team quarantine will still apply in a month, or if players that test negative for playoff format in which Dallas would receive a bye into the round of 16. COVID-19 are exempt from a quarantine period. The location, timing and safety protocols of the postseason have not For goaltenders, they are allowed to bring an independent goalie coach been decided. to the facility to work with them one week after the goalie first uses the Nill said the team has eight players who have remained in Dallas through facility. Nill said neither Bishop nor Khudobin train with a local, the quarantine period. independent goalie coach.

Players will be allowed to skate, and participate in weight training, circuit- Media, agents, massage therapists, chiropractors, player performance based activities, cardio and rehabilitation from injuries. They will be personnel, player’s family members or any other people will not be required to socially distance both on the ice and in other areas (like the allowed into the facility during Phase 2. dressing room), except for medical encounters, and must wear masks Players who use the team facility to skate may not skate at a different unless they are exercising. public rink, and cannot organize other training sessions outside of those. The six-player groups will remain the same throughout Phase 2, and Players who live in a city whose team they do not play for are allowed to each group is permitted to have one athletic trainer, one strength and use team facilities to train. In Dallas, that would apply to players such as conditioning coach, one equipment manager, two dressing room Tampa Bay’s Blake Coleman and Vancouver’s Jordie Benn and Loui attendants, a club physician and an independent goalie coach. Those Eriksson. people will be allowed to work with only one group, meaning the Stars will probably have to use personnel from AHL affiliate Texas to fill those Teams will pay for $1,500 of travel costs for NHL players to return to their roles. club city, and all travel expenses for AHL players. Players who do not live in their club city (trade deadline acquisitions or AHL players) will be put in Each group will be designated a shift that will not overlap with another a hotel and provided rental cars during Phases 2 and 3. group and allow for cleaning and disinfecting between sessions. This would probably apply to the Stars’ taxi squad of AHL players Here is some other notable information from the NHL’s memo: (players such as Jake Oettinger, Jason Robertson, Joel L’Esperance and If excess testing is available in each particular city, players will be tested Joel Hanley) who would be available to play in case of injuries in the for COVID-19 via a nasal swab two days before entering the facility, with NHL. Nill said neither Bishop nor Khudobin train with a local, independent results available in one day. If results are not available in one day, the goalie coach. player will not be allowed in the facility until he tests negative. The league Dallas Morning News LOADED: 05.26.2020 recommended testing players at least twice a week throughout Phase 2.

Nill said he was not certain where the team would acquire testing materials.

“The No. 1 priority is we’re not going to take it away from people that need it,” Nill said. “So we’ve got to figure that part out. Will that be a league-wide thing? Is that a local thing? That’s what we’re working through.”

Should excess testing not be available in certain cities, players and team personnel must self-quarantine for two weeks before entering the facility.

Two hours before arriving at the facility, players will be required to check their symptoms at home and report them to their team, which is responsible for supplying oral thermometers to players. Teams will also check temperatures and symptoms at the entrance of the facility.

Any player who tests positive for COVID-19 will be deemed “unfit to play” and cannot train, practice or play. A team’s medical staff — along with a player’s doctor, if he chooses — will direct the medical care of anyone that tests positive. Contact tracing will be conducted after a positive test. 1185240 Dallas Stars hungover and I’m like, ‘I’m never going to do that again.’ I didn’t believe I had a problem.’’

Montgomery says he was a binge drinker. He could go days and LeBrun: Former Stars coach Jim Montgomery on his firing, alcoholism sometimes weeks without a drink but then when he uncorked, he drank and recovery himself into blackouts.

“It wasn’t only Jim Nill that gave me warnings, but my wife had expressed By Pierre LeBrun May 25, 2020 concerns,’’ Montgomery said. “Close friends had done it. Even though you know you’re not doing the right things, not going to bed at the right time — stop drinking before you lose control of your faculties, you have to be ready to admit you have a problem and to do the work to overcome The last we saw Jim Montgomery in an NHL capacity, he was coaching it in recovery.’’ the Dallas Stars to a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders on Dec. 7. Watching Nill at that Dec. 10 news conference in Dallas, he looked Three days later, he was dismissed for what the team cited as uncomfortable explaining the dismissal of his head coach. Few in the “unprofessional conduct.” game are as thoughtful as Nill. That Montgomery put his GM through that The firing stunned the hockey world. situation only makes him feel more guilty.

“That’s the day my life changed, on Dec. 10,’’ Montgomery told The “I have so much respect for Jim Nill, he is an incredible person,’’ Athletic in a recent interview. Montgomery said. “Him and his wife, Bekki, are great models for anybody.’’ Despite being forced to walk away from a contract that still had two and a half years remaining, Montgomery insists the dismissal saved him. Montgomery talks about the “gratitude and respect’’ he has for Nill and the guilt he carries “for letting him, the staff and players down.’’ “I think I deserved to be let go and I don’t think I deserved to earn money for my actions,” Montgomery said. “I didn’t do the right things. Those are Montgomery and Nill have texted just a few times since the firing. things I ask of my players all the time. But I didn’t do the right things.’’ “We also saw each other once, we conversed for three to five minutes, He has since been sober for five and a half months. And counting. but we shared,’’ Montgomery said.

It is a new Jim Montgomery. The reality is that Montgomery needed Nill to fire him.

“It’s been an incredible journey, to be honest,’’ he said. “A new journey in “My rock bottom helps me. And that’s why I’m grateful to the Stars. sobriety that began with a lot of fear and anxiety and a lot of guilt. But Because I have my health, I have my family and I haven’t lost any close today, with the help of many people, especially family, close friends and friends,’’ he said. numerous great people that suffer from the same addiction I do, and my Montgomery and his wife, Emily, have four children and Emily remained daily conditioning that I’ve learned to do, I’m a confident, hopeful, mindful at his side through it all. and incredibly grateful person today.’’ “It was hard. She was obviously disappointed in me,’’ he said. “She had But it was rough. given me warnings and showed her concern to me, and I didn’t listen. I In the days following the firing, he left home and checked into an in- didn’t want to listen. Obviously, I hurt her. She’s an incredible woman, an patient rehab residence for three weeks. Afterward, he went home and incredible wife and mother …’’ did an intensive out-patient program – four hours a day, five days a week Montgomery pauses, his voice cracking over the phone. for another three weeks. After a few seconds, he adds “… and, it’s up to me that I make sure I Since then, Montgomery has continued individual and family therapy on never hurt her again.’’ top of his daily conditioning program. On the fateful night that marked his end in Dallas, Montgomery came “The daily program I work gives me the conditioning and the strength,” he home and opened up to his wife, revealing everything. said. “I meditate either in the morning or at night before I go to sleep. I have a gratitude app that I read every day and a journal that I write in. “I came home and I was just honest,” he said. Those two things set me off on the right path to start the day.” Honesty is a big part of recovery, which also meant a painful discussion Montgomery mentioned the quote of the day in his gratitude app the day with his two oldest children, ages 10 and 8. before our interview, and how fitting it was for our discussion. “It’s hard to tell your sons that you have a disease and you’re an “It read: ‘Sometimes it takes an overwhelming breakdown to have an alcoholic,” Montgomery said before trailing off to gather himself. undeniable breakthrough.’ That rock bottom I hit when I was let go, that forced me to re-evaluate and make me decide that I needed help,’’ In the meantime, the hockey world has reached out left and right. Montgomery said. “It has been overwhelming,’’ Montgomery said.

“I remember a doctor saying to me, ‘If someone told you that if you Paul Holmgren, Brantt Myhres, Rob Ramage, Greg Cronin, Gavin continued to drink, you’re going to die and you’re going to die alone. Morgan (former teammates in AHL), John Stevens, Paul Kariya, Rich Would you stop?’ That scared me. That scared me to death. And I’m Clune and Nate Thompson are among a long list who have reached out. thankful. I’m thankful that I haven’t lost a lot.’’ Could someone in the hockey world reach out with a job offer as well? In the ensuing days and weeks after his firing, there was talk in hockey circles about a fateful night a week or two before his dismissal. This was If you’re an NHL owner or GM reading this story, no question, you want thought to be the proverbial last straw for the Stars. to know what you’re getting in Jim Montgomery 2.0 and want to know more about what led to his downfall in Dallas. Life back in the fast lane Montgomery declined to talk about the specifics of that night, but his means time spent away from his family, team charters with alcohol on firing wasn’t about only one incident. Montgomery admits his addiction them, the pressure of the job. How will Montgomery deal with all that? struggles had been years in the making and the firing was a culmination of that decline. “You know, I’m confident with the plan that I currently have, I can apply anywhere,” he said. “To be able to connect with people on the phone or There were warning signs along the way, including a DUI back in 2008. to meet people, is easy to do even if you’re on the road. It’s making the Stars GM Jim Nill had also tried to help Montgomery over the past few time and making sure you’re taking care of yourself in your recovery.’’ years. And he believes he will be a more efficient coach now.

“Jim Nill is a great man, he had a couple of talks with me about his “Unfortunately, there were nights where I spent that time doing the wrong concern,’’ Montgomery said. “He thought maybe I had a problem. I don’t things,’’ he said of life on the road. “That’s going to be the time to do the know if it was ego on my part or the success I was having, but even though I realized that there were many days or mornings where I was right things now. That’s going to just make me a better coach let alone a much better person.’’

Will there be a future NHL job?

“I’m hopeful for an opportunity. I don’t control that. Right now I’m just focused on myself and my family,’’ he said.

My sense is that if Montgomery returns to the NHL, it will likely be as an assistant coach. Or maybe he goes back to coach college.

Prior to joining Dallas for his first NHL head coaching gig, Montgomery was the head coach at the University of Denver (2013-2018). Before that, he was the bench boss in Dubuque of the USHL (2010-13).

“Right now, I don’t think I’m in a position where I can afford to be picky,’’ he said. “Time will work itself out. I’m truly confident that if you do the right things in life, that things will happen.’’

It’s been quite the journey since Dec. 10. There is amazement in his voice as he puts everything into perspective.

“If you would have told me four months ago, or even three months ago, that my life would be profoundly better now than it was a year ago, I would have thought you were crazy,’’ Montgomery said.

“But I see it now. I’m living it.’’

The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185241 Dallas Stars Visa hoops are more common in the middle of the season when a player is traded from a Canadian team to an American team or vice versa at the deadline. When the Stars traded for Kris Russell from the Calgary How the NHL handles immigration and what it means for the Return to Flames in 2016, he didn’t have a visa — he was a Canadian playing for a Play plan Canadian team. In that case, the Stars worked to super-expedite Russell’s visa and the team was waiting on results in Nashville to see if he could play less than 24 hours after a trade.

By Sean Shapiro May 25, 2020 “I remember pacing and calling back to the office down here (in Frisco) just waiting for the fax to come through,” Rademan said. “Throughout the

day, the question from (then coach) Lindy (Ruff) was, ‘Can he play or The NHL is doing everything it can to return. But before the league not?’ And we didn’t get the fax in Texas until close to 4 or 5 p.m. Once returns to the ice, it will need to ensure that a large base of international we got that he was ready to go.” players can immigrate back to the United States and Canada, and have Players being traded from one American team to another make for an the approval to work there legally after doing so. easier process. While there is paperwork to file, teams have 30 days There’s a long to-do list as the NHL moves forward with its 24-team from the date of the trade to change the ’employer’ line on the player’s return-to-play proposal. The NHLPA approved the format on Friday, and visa. This is what happened last season in the Mats Zuccarello trade, the plan is expected to be formally announced by the league on Tuesday. and why he was able to play for Dallas less than 14 hours after the trade While many of those key questions will be answered directly, solving for was completed. player immigration and expiring visas will require cooperation between Rademan said teams across the league have their own visa stories, and the players, teams, the league and dozens of countries. each year at the draft, team services directors often get together to The NHL will be the most-impacted amongst the major sports leagues as discuss best practices and things that have or haven’t worked for return-to-play protocols are tackled. With 24 teams in the United States, individual teams. The Stars have a large Finnish contingent. If a team is Americans are the minority in the NHL; at the time of the stoppage, only bringing in their first Finn, they might turn to Dallas to ask about best eight teams in the 31-team league had 10 Americans or more on their practices the Stars have used when it comes to securing their visas. roster. “This year with Andrej Sekera, it was the first time in a while I’ve dealt Players still under contract for the 2020-21 season, in most cases, won’t with immigration from Slovakia, so if I needed help I know other team be an issue. When teams apply for their work visa, the length of time services people I could turn to about their experiences,” Rademan said. typically coincides with the contract. Tyler Seguin’s visa, for example, “It’s not like you’ve got teams trying to screw each other over; we do our runs through 2027 just like the contract he signed in 2018. best as a league to make sure all of this stuff goes smoothly in any situation.” But players on expiring contracts, both pending restricted and unrestricted free agents, can’t legally work in the United States after June It’s that collaboration and the NHL’s leadership that make Rademan 30. The Dallas Stars have eight players who fall under this category — confident any and all visa issues will be sorted out before the 2019-20 plus Miro Heiskanen, whose visa expires this summer because his entry- season resumes. The NHL and NHLPA are working on a document that level contract had a rookie slide after he spent the first year of the deal in will officially extend expiring contracts to the end of the 2019-20 season Finland. instead of June 30, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo. That should be enough proof to extend visas for international players. Stars director of team services Jason Rademan helped explain the visa process to The Athletic in a phone call this weekend. Rademan said the NHL was proactive back in March about finding any potential immigration issues. Teams were asked to send an updated list Across the NHL, directors of team services handle immigration in a of when visas and green cards expire so the league could take that into similar fashion. Early in the offseason, usually in early July after free account when trying to get back on the ice. Green cards are good for 10 agency has been completed, teams will send visa applications to United years before they need to be renewed; the Stars’ only player with a green States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When Rademan card, Jamie Benn, is still covered. So are the Stars coaches, most of submits the applications for Stars players, he also includes a copy of the whom have green cards. press release from when they signed and their career statistics; immediate proof to fulfill the P-1A requirement that the applicant is an Last Friday, United States acting secretary of homeland security Chad exceptional athlete coming to work in the United States. Wolf signed an order lifting travel restrictions on professional athletes returning to the country. That’s a measure that could indicate there won’t In the offseason, the typical turnaround time for the visa is 10 to 14 days, be too much pushback when it comes to expediting the process of according to Rademan. Once approved by USCIS, the next step varies extending visas for players as the league moves forward, although for by nationality. Canadians are now cleared after getting the green light players who returned to Europe or Russia the rules in their country will from the U.S. Government. Players in Europe and Russia have to take also have to allow them to leave the country. an additional step and need to visit the American consulate in their home country. The players will take the document that Rademan sent them and The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 go in for an interview. Once completing that interview, the player will get the stamp in their passport that makes it legal for them to come and work in the United States.

There is another twist when dealing with Russian players: Russians also need an additional visa to work in Canada. So if one of the locations for NHL hub cities is in Canada, the Stars will need to apply for a Canadian visa for Anton Khudobin and Denis Gurianov. But the visa is obtained for the country where the employer is based, so the Stars would not need to apply for visas for all their players who are not Canadian to work in Canada.

In most cases, it’s a smooth offseason process. But there are hurdles that can pop up.

In August 2017, the United States reduced the staff of the American Consulate in Moscow and scaled back visa operations. At that time Alexander Radulov, who had recently signed a five-year deal with the Stars, still hadn’t gone to the consulate to complete the interview and final steps for his visa. In order to expedite the process, the Stars called the American Consulate in Helsinki, Finland, and were able to coordinate Radulov flying to Finland to complete his visa before flying to Dallas. 1185242 Detroit Red Wings

Here are where Detroit Red Wings stand, 11 weeks into coronavirus quarantine

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press Published 4:57 p.m. ET May 25, 2020

Eleven weeks after they cut short a road trip and headed home, the Detroit Red Wings are still waiting to find out if they’ll be heading to Little Caesars Arena.

The NHL released a memorandum over the holiday weekend outlining a framework for what is called “Phase 2” of the league’s plan to resume the 2019-20 season.

The season had been put on hold March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Wings were in Washington to play the Capitals that night, and the schedule had them in Tampa Bay March 14. Instead they flew to Detroit, and proceeded to self-quarantine.

Staying home was the first phase of the NHL’s response to COVID-19. Phase 2 is a tentative plan for clubs to reopen training facilities and permit small groups of players (which the league states is a maximum of six) to gather for activities.

Clubs, however, are subject first and foremost to local ordinances, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has extended stay-at-home orders till June 12, which includes the closure of gyms.

The memorandum makes it clear that player participation in Phase 2 is strictly voluntary.

It may be moot for the Wings. They were eliminated from playoff contention Feb. 21 and ensured a last-place finish when they lost to Carolina on March 10. The NHL is still figuring out how and if it is possible to return to play, including the possibility of scrubbing the three weeks that were left on the regular-season schedule and diving straight into the playoffs.

Wings players and prospects were allowed to return to their offseason homes shortly after the NHL and AHL shut down. Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi, for example, are both in their native Canada, while Moritz Seider is in Germany.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185243 Detroit Red Wings If a COVID-19 test comes back positive, the player/staff member’s team will conduct contract tracing in conjunction with local health regulations.

Apart from laying out the groundwork for Phase 2 and continuing NHL close to opening practice facilities, allowing small group workouts discussions on the 24-team format, plenty of other hurdles remain before the games will be allowed to resume.

Associated Press Published 12:41 p.m. ET May 25, 2020 | Updated 4:51 Should the NHL return sometime this summer, it’s almost certain teams p.m. ET May 25, 2020 will be clustered in hub cities across North America – Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Las Vegas are believed to be in the mix – with games being held in empty arenas.

Toronto – The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon – The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893, save for with plenty of precautions. 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak, and 2005 when a lockout led to the cancellation of the entire season. The league, which paused its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo Monday saying it is targeting Detroit News LOADED: 05.26.2020 early next month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

The Red Wings' practice rink is located inside Little Caesars Arena.

“It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last,” the memo said. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

The NHL, which has worked closely with the NHL Players’ Association on the phased approach, said that while it views the protocol as “very comprehensive … (it) cannot mitigate all risk.”

“A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome,” the 22-page memo continued. “COVID-19 generally affects older age groups and those with previously existing medical conditions, more so than younger, and otherwise healthy, individuals.

“We recognize that players and personnel have family and household members who may fall into these vulnerable categories.”

If the Phase 2 plan gets the green light, on-ice sessions will be noncontact and involve up to six players, who will be expected to maintain physical distancing. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities, and when not able to physically distance.

Teams are not allowed to require a player to return to a club’s home city to complete any necessary quarantine measures before the workouts begin. Coaches and management will be allowed to watch, but not participate in, the informal skates.

The final two phases of the return-to-play protocol – training camps followed by a resumption of game action – were not mentioned in the memo. Phase 1, which continues after a number of extensions, saw players advised to self-quarantine after the novel coronavirus paused most of the sports world some 10 weeks ago.

Clubs must also administer “a separate temperature and symptom check at the entrance of the club facility.”

Players who live in NHL markets other than where they play will be permitted to use local facilities, pending availability, meaning they won’t have to travel back to their team’s home cities for Phase 2.

Most NHL players have not been on the ice since the league halted its schedule, although some, including a number of Swedish players who returned home, have been skating in recent weeks.

The league said any player or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever/chills, muscle pain (not exercise-related), loss of smell or taste, cold-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms, are expected to notify medical officials immediately and self-isolate. 1185244 Detroit Red Wings Beck Malenstyn, hope there’s a resolution that weighs isolation from family members against the risk of them getting infected.

“I think there’s probably a happy medium between the two,” Malenstyn Is ‘happy medium’ possible if quarantining takes NHL players away from said. “You definitely don’t just want to close the door on your family in a families? time like this. But it’s also you have to look at it if we were going to take that step to go back and play, it’s the safety of your family to probably not have them around, either, just with the exposure to everything.” Stephen Whyno and John Wawrow, Associated Press Published 5:36 a.m. ET May 25, 2020 Added Demko, the Vancouver goalie: “I think everyone’s going to have to make a sacrifice: players, owners, union. I don’t think that there is a scenario where everyone’s going to be happy with the situation.”

Young and single, Thatcher Demko has plenty of time on his hands, with Detroit News LOADED: 05.26.2020 little to do. Quarantining to play hockey wouldn’t be a problem for the Vancouver Canucks goalie.

“I don’t have too many roots,” the 24-year-old said. “I’ve been living pretty much out of my car for the most part for the last six, seven years just going from place to place.”

Older players disagree.

Devan Dubnyk

Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk doesn’t think players with children would be interested in spending lengthy stretches away from their loved ones amid the pandemic. And neither does Boston’s Tuukka Rask, who bluntly said: “It doesn’t feel right to take guys away from their families for many months at a time.”

It’s a reality players might have to face for the NHL to resume play, something Toronto’s Kyle Clifford calls a “hot topic” among players. While the NHL and its players’ union are discussing a 24-team playoff format to resume the season, figuring out how to incorporate family time in a potential quarantine environment is one of many hurdles to clear.

“For sure that’s a big thing,” said Philadelphia forward James van Riemsdyk, one of the players on the Return to Play committee and a new father. “No one wants to be away from their family for months on end, and everyone is aware of that with who’s on this committee.”

From Dubnyk and Rask in the NHL to MLB players Mike Trout and Ryan Zimmerman, pro athletes have voiced concerns about spending significant time away from family. When baseball was considering a containment bubble in Arizona to play, Zimmerman – whose wife is due to give birth to the couple’s third child in June – said he wouldn’t accept not seeing them for four or five months.

“I can tell you right now that’s not going to happen,” Zimmerman said. “Not many people have to go through that, nor should they.”

The NHL, like the NBA, does not face the challenge of trying to complete an entire season. But even an abbreviated return calls for coordinating 600-plus players at different stages of their personal lives.

“I think it’d be easier for guys without families or single guys to kind of go on quarantine and enjoy that process as much as you can,” Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. “But it would be tough being a father myself. It would be tough to live through FaceTime in that situation. But you have to weigh the pros and cons on each side and what’s important for you and your family.”

The league was exploring various locations that could host games, including Edmonton, Columbus and Las Vegas. They could be big enough for players to bring family members with them, or the format might allow for a break in the schedule for teams that advance deep into the playoffs.

“You’ve got to kind of create this bubble, but if families are coming in and out, then I don’t know,” said Carolina’s Jordan Martinook, who has a year-old son he doesn’t want to be away from for more than a month at a time. “That kind of compromises the bubble. I don’t know if they would say your family’s got to be with you from day one the whole time or they can’t come if you’re in the bubble.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said league officials are “sensitive to the issue and are focused on finding a solution that works for the players.”

New Jersey’s Connor Carrick, whose Devils might be off until the start of next season, said he trusts NHLPA executive director Don Fehr and his staff to make a decision in the best interest of as many players as possible. Those waiting on the possibility of playing, like Washington’s 1185245 Los Angeles Kings The protocol calls for voluntary non-contact skates with no coaches or skating coaches or other club employees participating. Players who participate in Phase 2 won’t be allowed to work out or skate at other NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next return phase locations. Physical distancing will be required in the locker room and weight room. In addition, the protocol said, “Players shall be encouraged An empty hockey arena. to shower at home wherever possible,” and they must leave their workout clothes and anything they used during their workout at the facility.

At each session only one athletic trainer, one strength and conditioning By HELENE ELLIOTTSPORTS COLUMNIST MAY 25, 20209:44 AM coach, one equipment manager, up to two locker room attendants, one UPDATED 9:57 AM team physician and one goalie coach are permitted to be present. Players won’t be permitted to use hot and cold tubs, saunas, or steam rooms and they have been advised not to carpool or take public The NHL and NHL Players’ Assn. issued a careful and sobering plan for transportation to a club facility. Shared meals are banned but teams can the next phase of a return to play, vowing to put the health of players and provide prepackaged individual meals that players can take home with club personnel first but acknowledging the joint directive regarding them. Massage therapists, agents, chiropractors, players’ family reopening clubs’ training facilities to small groups of players and requiring members and media are among those prohibited from entering club temperature checks, enhanced sanitary procedures and other measures facilities during Phase 2. All personnel must wear face coverings except “while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk” of contracting while exercising. COVID-19. Updated cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be observed by each In a 22-page document released early Monday, the league and the union team before their facilities reopen and each team must appoint a Club said the next phase in resuming operations will begin in early June and Facility Hygiene Officer to oversee sanitizing procedures. will be in effect for an undetermined amount of time. The NHL paused its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, they “As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the Players and Club agreed on the general outline of a 24-team playoff format and agreed to personnel is our top priority,” the memo said. It also requested clubs continue negotiating specific terms of the revised format for the Stanley respond to the memo with details about their ability to implement the Cup playoffs. Five members of the Ottawa Senators and three members newly required procedures and an estimated timing for each club to be in of the Colorado Avalanche are known to have tested positive for COVID- position to open its training facility. 19. LA Times: LOADED: 05.26.2020 Under the terms of the Phased Return to Sport Protocol, a maximum of six players will be allowed in a club’s practice facility at one time in addition to a limited number of designated club personnel. Not all club personnel will be permitted to interact with players. Anyone who plans to visit a club training facility must undergo testing 48 hours in advance and receive a negative test result. All club personnel must participate in a remote educational meeting before Phase 2 begins, and all players will undergo a medical examination that checks for “any co-morbidities that may carry increased risk with COVID-19 infection” before participating in any activities.

NHL looking to open team facilities to players soon

Players would be limited to groups of six.

By Sarah McLellan Star Tribune MAY 25, 2020 — 10:49PM

The NHL could open its team facilities to players in early June.

That’s when the league is targeting the next step in its plan to potentially finish the season, which continues to gain momentum. On Friday, the Executive Board of NHL Players’ Association agreed to further negotiate a 24-team format to determine a Stanley Cup champion after the regular season was paused on March 12 by the coronavirus pandemic.

While the NHL hasn’t decided exactly when players will be allowed to train at team facilities or how long this phase of the process will last, it has outlined the protocol that will be in place.

In a 22-page memo released Monday, the NHL announced small-group activities on and off the ice will be voluntary and individualized and these workouts will only be allowed in areas where health authorities have approved such gatherings.

A maximum of six players will be permitted inside the facility at one time, along with a limited number of team staff members. These six players will remain in the same small group so that any infection or exposure that might occur will be contained within that group.

All personnel must be 6 feet apart while inside and outside of the facility. Players must wear face coverings when entering and leaving the facility and inside where social distancing isn’t possible. Face coverings aren’t required when players are on the ice or exercising.

Players gathered to hear the coaches at Wild development camp last summer.

Activities must allow for appropriate social distancing, such as player- only, noncontact skating sessions or weight training that doesn’t require a spotter. Coaches and other team employees won’t be allowed on the ice.

Players from other clubs who are staying near another team’s facility may request access to skate and weight train.

Those who participate in these activities will not be permitted to skate or work out at any public facility or other location and may not organize any outside group skates.

Before reporting to a facility, players will self-administer symptom and temperature checks at home, and another check will be conducted at the entrance of the facility.

Each team will determine if excess testing is available in its area so as not to take away resources from health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals. If accessible, testing will be performed 48 hours before personnel returns to the facility and, if possible, on an ongoing basis during training.

If testing isn’t obtainable, personnel must self-quarantine for 14 days before entering the facility or prove that they have already self- quarantined for the previous 14 days in the team’s home area. Players who return to the club’s market by public transportation, like commercial air travel, will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before entering the team’s facility.

Amid these guidelines and regular cleaning and disinfecting, the NHL isn’t expecting entire teams to quarantine should an isolated case, or cases, of COVID-19 occur.

Star Tribune LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185247 Minnesota Wild Then, if the players approve the myriad logistical issues the union is discussing with the NHL regarding actual return to play scenarios, that’s when the league and players can push forward with Phase 3 – the Misunderstood NHLPA vote: Many hurdles remain before next vote on opening of 24 training camps later next month or into July. Return to Play To give you an idea of the logistics, here’s a look at the reported protocols by Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the PGA.

By Michael Russo May 25, 2020 The NHL’s Phase 2 protocols were 29 pages. Imagine what it’ll read like once protocols are announced for training camp and a return to actual hockey games.

Devan Dubnyk is one of the elder statesmen on the NHL Players’ Michael Russo Association’s 31-player executive board. ✔ Between Edmonton and Minnesota, this is the 34-year-old’s eighth season representing his teammates on either the Oilers or Wild. @RussoHockey

So, the Wild goaltender has cast countless votes on behalf of Comprehensive Phase 2 NHL-NHLPA protocols. Grab a pot of coffee teammates, whether it be critical issues like passing the collective and peruse bargaining agreement to end the 2012-13 lockout and electing against https://media.nhl.com/site/vasset/public/attachments/2020/05/13993/NHL re-opening that same CBA last fall, to things like pulling the trigger on %20Phased%20Return%20to%20Sport%20Protocol-COMBINED- salary cap escalators and consenting to NHL realignment. FINAL.pdf …

But Dubnyk isn’t sure there has been a vote as misconstrued as last 24 week’s one by the players to approve a 24-team Return to Play format in 11:19 AM - May 25, 2020 the event the NHL resumes the 2019-20 season later this summer. Twitter Ads info and privacy “In the event” is still the key phrase. 18 people are talking about this On Monday, the NHL announced a comprehensive protocol that must be followed to begin Phase 2 (the opening of team facilities so players can As an executive board member, Dubnyk and his 30 counterparts are voluntarily work out in maximum groups of six) early next month. As early required to be in constant communication with their teammates to know as Tuesday, the NHL is expected to announce exactly how the 24-team where the players sit on various issues. That’s because the executive return to play format will work. board members represent their team’s wishes by casting the votes for the rest of the players on most issues. “But that does not mean hockey’s back,” Dubnyk asserted during a phone conversation with The Athletic. “We still have a long way to go.” But like the end of the 2012-13 lockout, Dubnyk thinks there’s a good possibility that the executive board will want to call on a full-member vote Dubnyk doesn’t want to be a buzzkill, but he thinks it’s important for of 700-plus players. everyone to understand there are still lots of hurdles ahead as both sides try to navigate the murky waters of return to play in the midst of a global “There’s certain times when it’s not as important to have 700-plus voices, pandemic. but this is a scenario where we need to hear from as many players as we possibly can,” Dubnyk said, “and those conversations are going to start “We voted strictly on the format,” Dubnyk said. “In other words, ‘If we are to happen very soon here with small group conversations. Then, as an to come back, this is how it’s going to be played.’ But we have not even executive board, we can decide if we feel this needs to be an entire union touched on logistics or cities or travel or testing or how the economics will vote with 700 players. We can do that. It rarely happens, but this might work or what this quarantine bubble (the players are) supposed to live in be a case where it should. will be like or any of that stuff yet. “And (NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr) is terrific with this stuff. “Nothing else has been voted on … yet.” Don’s always so adamant about having as many people involved as Again, yet is the operative word. possible. He constantly preaches, ‘Everybody, as many guys as we can get involved, as many guys that we can get educated, as many voices as Dubnyk made clear that another vote will “absolutely” be necessary by we can hear from.’ And that’s a difficult job because he’s managing 700- the players once all these details are negotiated between the NHL and plus players. You have 31 owners, you’ve got 700-plus players, so it’s a NHLPA. completely different dynamic.”

“I think it’s really important to start having these conversations with as As we just saw with the 29-2 vote to approve the 24-team return to play many players as we can about, ‘Guys, what scenarios are we OK with?’” format, it was quickly leaked that Tampa Bay and Carolina voted against Dubnyk said. “From what it sounds like, it’s going to be some sort of hub the format for different reasons. That put respective player reps Alex city scenario, so we’ve got to talk about that. How long are guys OK with Killorn and Jordan Martinook in the uncomfortable position of having to being away for? When we are in this city, are we locked in our hotel explain why their teams voted a certain way. room? Going from the hotel room to the rink and back only, are guys OK with just doing that? Can our families come with us, or if there’s a family Michael Russo emergency and we leave the bubble (to go back into society), can we return to the bubble or are we done? What’s the food situation? Like, can ✔ we only eat in our hotel rooms? How often are we tested? Who pays for @RussoHockey that? What’s the damage economically to the sport? Canes went from 80% chance to make playoffs to a coin flip vs a NYR “All of these things, and there’s so many variables, need to be talked team that was 4-0 against them. Lots of teams felt there was some about and we’ve got to start getting a grasp on it now so that it doesn’t inequity; Carolina just had the fortitude to vote against the format. But it just hit us in the face all of a sudden. This stuff hasn’t been discussed was never that the Canes didn’t want to play with the players. Everything’s just been so hypothetical. So that’s what https://twitter.com/saracivian/status/1264940683523166210 … I’m hoping is going to come out of this now because we don’t want a situation where it seems like, ‘OK, everybody’s ready to go, let’s get back Sara Civ and play,’ and then all of a sudden guys are like, ‘Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. I’m not OK with that.’ And then it goes from like super-positive to super- ✔ negative. So that’s why we’ve got to talk about everything, and then have @SaraCivian a vote once and for all.” Jordan Martinook just confirmed the Canes were one of the two teams to An NHLPA spokesman confirmed it’ll be up to the executive board to vote against the 24-team return to play format. Doesn't necessarily think determine if there’s another vote, and there’s a good chance of that it gives the Canes the best odds to win the Cup and gives some of the happening. Several NHL players queried by The Athletic concurred with fringier teams an advantage. But they're prepared to move forward Dubnyk’s assessment that another vote is a must. 422

11:37 AM - May 25, 2020

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This next decision by the players will be such a delicate and personal one that if by chance the players vote down a return to play, it would be unfair if members of the executive board become the front men to have to explain to fans why they chose not to bring hockey back this summer.

The 29-2 vote on the 24-team format may seem like a landslide, but that’s a little deceiving.

First of all, let’s be honest, the vote started 7-0 because it’s fair to presume the seven teams that weren’t going to be included had no motivation to return to play anyway so they would not oppose the format.

Also, as TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported, “designated player representatives from at least six or seven teams asked to discuss the matters internally with their teammates on Friday before casting a vote.”

Dubnyk wouldn’t discuss voting specifics, but reading between the lines, the Wild were one of those teams. By the time a lot of those player reps returned to vote, it’s thought that Fehr already had enough votes to continue the negotiation process anyway.

The next vote could be a lot closer.

“There’s so much uncertainty with everything that’s gone on in the world and different guys feel different ways when it comes to return to play and health and safety,” Dubnyk said. “It’s difficult because in the past I’ve always had good confidence in voting on things and knowing that I was voting for what the guys would want. In this scenario, it’s hard because a lot of stuff is split down the middle or very close.

“Like, one question a lot of players have is the revenue thing. How much revenue are we getting from coming back and playing versus how much money are we spending on all these things that need to happen for this to happen – all the hotels, the food, the testing. These are a lot of expenses, so is it worth it?”

Dubnyk, who has played more games (328) and minutes (18,883) than any other NHL goalie since his Jan. 15, 2015, Wild debut and ranks second in victories (177) in that span, says one of the biggest concerns by the players is this anticipated “bubble” players will isolate into and, “Can you truly create a bubble?”

In other words, if the players are isolated in one or two hotels in a hub city, wouldn’t it defeat the purpose if chefs, waiters and waitresses, hotel clerks and engineers, and housekeepers go home to their families and then return to the bubble? At arenas where fans likely won’t get to attend at least the majority of the playoffs, what about the dozens of people that are needed to make a game happen that go beyond team personnel, from television crews, broadcasters and reporters, to custodial staffs, NHL off-ice officials and technicians?

“Personally, that’s why I wonder if this is going to truly happen unless things relax enough where that bubble doesn’t necessarily need to exist as tightly as we think it does right now,” Dubnyk said. “Even with the players, it’s like, if your wife’s having a baby or something and you have to leave, do I have to miss an entire series now or suddenly quarantine for two weeks?

“That’s why I just feel like it doesn’t seem feasible to make this happen unless those rules relax by the time we’re going to play later this summer. There’s just so much stuff that hasn’t been figured out yet that we’ve got to start figuring out what are we OK with or not OK with, and then once that’s discussed, have another vote.

“But, at least things are becoming more real now, which is exciting for us and the fans. Because let’s be honest, everybody wants to play. But you’re asking a lot of guys to come back and do this in a strange scenario, so it’s got to be safe, make sense and be worth it.”

The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185248 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Hall of Famer Bob Gainey auctions off personal memorabilia

Montreal Gazette

What are described as “unique and exclusive pieces” that belonged to Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Gainey are now up for auction until June 16.

The online auction being conducted on classicauctions.net showcases “valuable items from one of the top defensive forwards in NHL history.”

Gainey and auction organizers will meet on Wednesday via video conference with reporters to discuss the auction and detail the key items available, such as Gainey’s Stanley Cup ring for the 1975-76 season, the miniature Stanley Cup for the 1976-77 season, the miniature Prince of Wales trophy for the 1976-77 season, the Frank Selke plate trophy for the 1979-80 season, as well as the jersey Gainey wore during the 1977 NHL All-Star Game.

The entire auction catalogue can be seen here.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185249 Montreal Canadiens differentiation between the teams goal-wise is the power play. Pittsburgh’s is competent, whereas Montreal’s is not. But in general, there are fewer penalties called in the playoffs. That may or may not hold Price check: 5 reasons Montreal could win a play-in, besides goaltending true after everyone’s been off for three or four months. But old habits die hard, playoffs are playoffs and officiating is officiating.

Games that are mostly played at 5-on-5 should advantage the By Sean Gordon May 25, 2020 Canadiens.

Per Natural Stat Trick, the Canadiens have controlled 54.59 percent of scoring chances at evens in 2019-20. That’s second in the league, again We can all debate the fairness of the 24-team play-in playoff format. The behind Vegas. Ahead of Tampa. And Boston. And Colorado. And, yes, fact is Phase Two of the return to play is launching and the Canadiens Pittsburgh. High danger chances? Fourth in the league, sandwiched seem more or less assured of participating in a postseason of some sort between very-much-Cup-contending Vegas and Tampa. for the first time since 2016-17. This is an elite team at 5-on-5, which has pretty much been the case This is a possibility that evidently makes some people in the hockey since Claude Julien replaced Michel Therrien. world queasy. Sure, there’s no Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin up front, but the And why exactly? Oh. Right. Canadiens’ transition and forechecking game has been on point; their COLUMN: ON CAREY PRICE'S OUTSIZED INFLUENCE ON SUMMER biggest issue this season has been defensive zone coverage and, yup, RETURN FORMAT, POTENTIAL ESCROW CAP WITH CBA goaltending. Price was iffy in November, he’s had no back-up help to EXTENSION, AND MYRIAD ISSUES OUTSTANDING IN NHL speak of (sorry, Charlie) and it doesn’t help matters that the defence RESTART ATTEMPT. HTTPS://T.CO/OA0TZL0GHV VIA corps as a whole has been prone to hideous mistakes in spurts. @NYPOSTSPORTS Here’s the thing — when everyone is locked-in come playoff time, the — LARRY BROOKS (@NYP_BROOKSIE) MAY 20, 2020 thing that matters the most is being able to get the puck in the offensive zone and keep it there. Montreal has the players to do that. It’s interesting Carey Price’s reputation carries so much weight. He’s the clear choice as best goalie in the league among his peers (although it’s Phillip Danault is exactly the type of defensively responsible centre you worth mentioning no single netminder earned a majority of votes). His want to match up against Crosby. Nick Suzuki is a callow rookie and you name comes up as a counter-argument to a short playoff. This guy must might not love the match-up against Malkin, but there are ways to be pretty good. mitigate that, notably with defensive-minded forwards like Artturi Lehkonen or Joel Armia. But here’s an inconvenient question: How many times has he actually stolen a series? The idea of throwing a Jonathan Drouin and/or Max Domi out against Jared McCann (three career playoff games) and the Pens’ third line Let’s start with a disclaimer: This is not a hit piece on Price as a goalie. doesn’t seem so terrible, does it? His record speaks for itself and it is an outrageous canard that he hasn’t risen to the occasion in the playoffs. He absolutely has. The key word In a short series, anything can happen. And if the Canadiens are able to here is stolen. As in, the Canadiens triumphed in a series they had no find the type of groove they had at even strength they were in for much of business winning specifically because of their goaltender. the season before it was paused, they’re going to present a problem.

They probably should have won the last playoff series they played, The top line is very much a top NHL line against New York. Price certainly played well enough for them to do so if Tomas Tatar, Brendan Gallagher and Danault controlled 60.82 percent of his team had actually been good at scoring goals. The fact is he didn’t expected goals at 5-on-5 in the games they played this year. Sounds steal it; Henrik Lundqvist arguably did. Two years before that, he played pretty good, right? really well against Tampa and Ottawa, but no thievery took place. Boston’s Perfection Line, widely and justly considered to be the most You have to go back to the second round in 2014, where Price put up a terrifying forward unit in the NHL, pulled in a 59.52 percent share. .935 save percentage over the series, and saved an inhuman 55 of 56 shots in the last two games to eliminate the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Meanwhile, Crosby and his most recent wingers, Jason Zucker and Bruins. He was amazing. Roy-like lights out. And if L’Affaire Kreider Conor Sheary, controlled 49.26 percent of expected goals in the hadn’t transpired in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final … (admittedly tiny sample of) 88 minutes they’ve played together. If Jake Guentzel were able to return from injury it would certainly make Crosby’s So that’s one theft. Six years and a knee injury or two (or three) ago. line better, but the real question in a Montreal-Pittsburgh series might not Again, painstakingly, this is not to disparage Price. He hasn’t cost the be, how do the Canadiens cope with the Penguins’ top line, it could well Canadiens a series in recent memory. But the idea a 32-year-old goalie be: How will the Pens cope with Tatar-Danault-Gallagher? with a .909 save percentage this year would be able to leap tall buildings In this circumstance, expected goals don’t tell the whole story. Of course in a single bound and steal even a short play-in encounter all on his own the Bruins and Penguins have more high-end talent on their top lines, after several months off is, as the Scottish court system might say, not and yes, it’s true Montreal can’t match that. proven. That also holds for the rest of the league. Sergei Bobrovsky was excellent in Columbus’ elimination of the Lightning last season, but he But when you actually dig into what happens when the Tatar-Danault- wasn’t the only reason they won. You could go down the list. Gallagher trio is on the ice, not only do they hold their own, they almost always generate more shots and chances than the opposition. Given That doesn’t mean the Canadiens aren’t a dangerous play-in opponent. they play almost exclusively against the other top lines, this is no small Because the fact is, Price might not have to commit any kind of theft for thing. them to advance. Is that a good thing? We’ll let the draft position aficionados and playoff truthers wage that battle in the comments. The great unknown in all of this is how those guys will perform at crunch time. Danault has only six games of NHL playoff experience. Gallagher Herewith, five reasons the Canadiens could beat Pittsburgh, their likely has 40, in which he’s scored 21 points. Tatar has 25, and only nine opponent, in a short series. Call it the optimist’s case: points to show for them. This is a really, really – really! – good team at 5-on-5 But they haven’t played a postseason game as a unit yet. It could fall At even-strength, Montreal can play with anybody. apart. But the preponderance of the evidence suggests these guys know how to play together, and there’s no obvious reason why they wouldn’t In fact, according to Moneypuck.com‘s expected goals at even strength be able to figure it out in a play-in series and beyond. model, they are the second-best 5-on-5 team in the league, behind Vegas. The power play sucks, except on the road. Guess what? They’ll be on the road. Leaving aside expectations, the Canadiens scored only five fewer goals at even strength through 71 games than the Pens, who have the benefit We talked earlier about how 5-on-5 play is pretty well the strongest of Hall of Fame centres running their top two lines. The only real point of predictor of playoff success, but that doesn’t mean the power play is entirely irrelevant. If the Canadiens were forced to play half their The Canadiens, on the other hand, are. That’s part of the reason they’re remaining games at home, where they have been terrible in essentially strong at 5-on-5, but it goes beyond that. Speed means having that extra all situations and particularly on the power play (31st in the league), there beat to recover from a mistake; it’s the difference between being able to would be ample cause for pessimism. get around a tiring defenceman, or not.

Happily for everyone except Geoff Molson and his partners, the Bell When you look at the way Montreal’s lines set up, they should have a Centre will be closed for the foreseeable future, which means Montreal speed advantage against all four of Pittsburgh’s lines. will play its games somewhere else. The Canadiens are at their most effective when the puck is moving Here is the list of teams with a better road power play than the quickly up the ice, and when they’re harrying opponents on the Canadiens: Edmonton, which has the best overall 5-on-4 unit in the forecheck. league, and St. Louis, the defending Cup champions. Playoff time generally favours the grey beards, who know how to cope The Canadiens, for whatever reason, have been able to cash in on twice with the mental and physical grind of having to find a new gear after as many power plays in percentage terms in arenas other than the Bell beating your brains out for 82 regular season games. But that’s not a Centre than they have inside it. They’re at 24.7 percent on the road, factor this time around. Montreal has young legs in its top-six with which is the kind of stat that makes opposing coaches reinforce the Suzuki, plus fleet, comparatively youthful skill players like Domi and message you can’t do anything silly against these guys. Drouin, as well as mid-20s defensive stalwarts like Danault and Lehkonen. Pretty well everybody can skate at a high pace, as can people Kirk Muller, who supervises the power play, has a theory about why like Jake Evans, Ryan Poehling and Lukas Vejdemo, who may well figure there’s such a disparity and expressed it during a conference call with on an expanded roster. It constitutes an advantage. media earlier this month: “The big thing is we keep it simple, it’s a shooting mentality kind of group. We want to simplify and work everyone Domi, in particular, has the makings of a classic wildcard. He has non- together.” existent playoff experience (zero games in the NHL) but was a postseason stud in junior and excelled in the pressure cooker that is the This group of players has a level of confidence in road games that it world junior championship. Playoff time is a feisty time, and that’s Domi. simply can’t replicate at home. The likely end-of-season format seems to lend itself to Montreal’s style of Under the NHL’s hub city format, they’ll be playing the play-in and play, given the amount of time players have been off, and the usual postseason games on the road, 2+2 = 4. Sorry, it’s science. amount of rust that builds up over that time with more ponderous teams. The Canadiens are pretty good at starts Which means it plays to the Canadiens’ strengths.

The typical offseason for a non-playoff team in the NHL is about 12 Also, did we mention they have Carey Price? weeks long, if you assume players straggle back to their regular season The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 cities for informal skates at the end of August.

By the time teams return for the 24-team end-of-season tournament, they’ll have been away a roughly similar amount of time. In other words, it’s going to be less like resuming a paused season than starting a new one.

As it happens, Montreal’s current core group has shown it’s pretty good at that.

The past season opened with a 2-1-2 run, where they scored 21 goals in five games and beat Toronto and the Blues but lost in overtime in Buffalo and in a shootout to Carolina (the less said about Detroit, the better). That’s a .600 points percentage overall and an .833 against three of the best teams in the league. Small sample-itis? Yes. Guess what the play-in round is going to be.

The 2018-19 season went 3-1-1, and 6-2-2 through 10 games. OK, the opening to the 2017-18 season was awful (1-4-1) but 2016-17 was record-breaking at 9-0-1. The point is, the Canadiens tend to get off to a decent start, in recent historical terms.

Maybe it’s because they haven’t been worn down by the rigours of the season yet.

Lots of teams in the NHL are going to boast a full lineup thanks to the break. Pittsburgh might even be able to throw Guentzel on the ice. But even if that happens, he won’t have played since December.

Montreal is going to have a healthy Drouin, who will have had extra time to get used to his surgically repaired wrist, a healthy Tatar, and a healthier (if perhaps not entirely healthy) Shea Weber. Victor Mete should be back from his broken foot by then, and Noah Juulsen looks like he’s ready to be part of an expanded roster.

It’s true that Montreal’s players likely didn’t expect to return to action until autumn when the world ground to a halt in March, but they’ve had ample time to rest and recuperate. And yeah, it matters that Price has had time to rest his body and his mind. True, Pittsburgh has two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray in net, although the coaches’ confidence in him appears to be well short of unshakeable. How many playoff games has Tristan Jarry played again?

They’re young up front, and speed kills

The Penguins are many things. A championship club, a classy organization, the team Mario played for and now owns. But they’re not especially fast. 1185250 Montreal Canadiens “He was basically saying, ‘this is their team now.’”

Gainey and Martin were confident that leadership would not be an issue after adding four Cup winners – Gomez and Gionta with New Jersey, An unprecedented experiment gone right: The inside story of the 2010 Moen with Anaheim and Gill the year prior with Pittsburgh. Canadiens Martin was hardly the first coach to empower his veterans to take the reins and manage the dressing room. But as the players would later find A. Basu, M.A. Godin and S. Gordon May 25, 2020 out, the extent to which that was about to happen made these Canadiens somewhat unique.

A new season: Price-Halak? Halak-Price? They began trickling in, a few at a time. Exhausted and devastated. Montreal won just eight of its first 17 games of the 2009-10 season. And, As the night of Monday, May 24, 2010, turned into Tuesday morning in weirdly, only one of those victories came in regulation. Of course, it Montreal, O’Regan’s Irish Pub — a cozy, downstairs bar on Bishop St. wasn’t entirely surprising the club would limp out of the gate, given the just north of René-Levesque — was quiet, hosting its regulars and few players were still getting to know each other. others. At least Gainey could lean on a 22-year-old Carey Price — whom the GM Hours earlier, the Montreal Canadiens had suffered a season-ending loss had defended as a “thoroughbred” following his team’s quick playoff exit to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, the the prior April — to steady the ship, right? end of a magical playoff run that electrified the city and gave a generation of young fans the most exciting spring they had ever seen. Well, no.

The Canadiens boarded a bus to Philadelphia International Airport, Price’s patchy form at the end of the previous season carried over; he landed in Montreal, and began heading for O’Regan’s. Some went recorded just three wins in his first 11 starts. straight there. Others went home first to drop off their things. A few didn’t Someone decided to point it out on Twitter. go at all. “Interesting stat of the night … Price is 10W, 32L in last 42 starts. Hmm,” But the bulk of the 2009-10 Canadiens gathered that night to begin wrote Allan Walsh, Jaroslav Halak’s agent, after Price took the loss in a digesting what they had just experienced: How close they came to going home game where Montreal had badly out-shot the Lightning. from eighth-seed underdogs to conference representatives in the Stanley Cup Final. How they had knocked off the Presidents’ Trophy-winning “We didn’t think it was right of Allan to do that, clearly,” Gionta recalls. Washington Capitals and defending Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins, “But we didn’t hold that against Jaro at all.” each in seven games, only to have it all fall apart against their most beatable opponent. “Yeah, that was bizarre,” Gill adds. “I remember thinking: why is an agent talking? And why are we listening to him, exactly? We knew Jaro didn’t “Obviously there was disappointment, but that’s kind of what you do as want to be there by that point; he wanted a chance to play and be the things wrap up, you get together as a group,” says Brian Gionta, who starter. For us, Carey was our goalie. We all knew he was the guy and would be named Canadiens captain four months later. “It’s fairly typical of that he was going to be the guy.” most teams. You get knocked out, it’s unfortunate, but you just kind of go and reminisce about the year.” If there’s one thing that has made a segment of the fan base hostile to Price, it’s that the organization anointed him as the Next One so early in Looking back now, the Canadiens’ against-all-odds achievement that his career, clearing his path to the NHL rather than forcing him to out- spring was worthy of celebration. But that wasn’t the mood at the pub. perform his peers. The decision to trade Cristobal Huet in 2008 stands as eloquent testimony. “I wouldn’t characterize it as celebratory,” Gionta recalls. “I would characterize it as staying together.” It was the absence of ambiguity – “Carey was our goalie” – that Walsh says prompted him to ride to Halak’s defence. Staying together. “There was a high level of frustration from Jaro over the fact he wasn’t It was a fitting end to a season that started as a massive experiment in being given a fair opportunity to play,” Walsh says. “The goal was to coming together. create a stir while at the same time directing all the heat on me. The key An overhaul from top to bottom was that no one blamed Jaro for what I tweeted; it was intended that way.” In a span of 40 days, the Canadiens underwent the biggest overhaul in their history. In the minds of many, 2010 is the last year there was a meaningful goaltending controversy in Montreal. But was it really a controversy? Had Less than two months after being swept out of the first round of the 2009 the verdict not been clearly rendered before that point? The previous playoffs by Boston, GM Bob Gainey replaced himself as head coach, year, Gainey tipped his hand as to his preference. And recall 2006-07, hiring Jacques Martin on June 1. the year Halak was named to the AHL’s all-rookie team. Price was parachuted in from junior at the end of the season and handed the Three weeks later, a group led by Geoff Molson finalized the purchase of starter’s job. He led the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Calder Cup and was a majority stake in the Canadiens, plus the Bell Centre and the entirety of named playoff MVP. what would become evenko, for a reported $575 million. Price was always ahead of Halak in line. It didn’t escape the Slovak’s On June 30, Gainey acquired Scott Gomez in a blockbuster trade notice. involving top prospect Ryan McDonagh and alternate captain Chris Higgins. The next day, the team said goodbye to Saku Koivu – team “In November, I think I only played one game, if I go back,” Halak says of captain for a decade – as well as alternate captain Alex Kovalev, Alex 2009-10. “One game against Calgary at the beginning of November and Tanguay and Mike Komisarek among others, and welcomed free agent then, for the rest of the month, I didn’t get to play a minute. So, it was signings Brian Gionta, Mike Cammalleri, Jaroslav Spacek and Hal Gill. kind of frustrating for me and tough at the same time. I just wanted to get Nine days later, Gainey added Travis Moen and Paul Mara. a chance. That’s what I was looking for and asking for.”

All told, Gainey spent roughly $110 million of Molson’s money on Gomez Halak ended up getting his chance. And two months later, he had and his other free agent signings in just 10 days — not to mention the effectively grabbed the No. 1 job from Price. But he hadn’t replaced him millions he gave Martin. in the pecking order in the eyes of his teammates.

The 2009-10 Canadiens required name tags. “When Jaro went on that run later in the year, I think we saw it as a hot streak more than him taking the job,” Gill says. “I remember going up for media day in Montreal, and Bob Gainey was asked if he liked his team,” Gill says. “I’ll never forget his answer, which The Halak-Price question created a lot of noise around the team, but it was great. It was, ‘I don’t know yet, I’ve never seen them play.’ Thinking led to the best possible outcome: Halak was able to show his mettle, and about it in hindsight, the way he put that was actually pretty telling. Price learned a crucial lesson in his development as a pro. As for Walsh? He may have deleted the controversy-fueling tweet, but he looked in the mirror to say, ‘OK, this is for real. What we’re trying to has zero regrets. accomplish here isn’t a joke.’”

“Everyone involved in that incredible playoff run with Montreal should be It wouldn’t be Gainey’s team for long. grateful someone was willing to stand up for Jaro,” he says. A little over two weeks after sending Laraque home, Gainey announced The Centennial and some literary foreshadowing he no longer had the level of commitment required of a general manager, so he stepped aside to take on an advisory role to the new GM, his On Dec. 4, the team marked its centennial anniversary in a game that assistant, Pierre Gauthier. pitted the Canadiens against the Bruins – as was right and proper. The stretch: Prying open the back door “I saw a couple of ex-players walking down the hallway and I asked someone ‘who’s all here?’” Cammalleri remembers. “And they were like, The Canadiens flew through turbulence for the rest of the season, their ‘Well, everyone. All the legends are down the hall in a locker room.’ So I fate ultimately coming down to Game 82 on the schedule: A 4-3 overtime grabbed (Glen Metropolit) and said, ‘Did you see who’s here? Let’s go loss to the Maple Leafs. say hi.’ … You had the ceremony, so we had to wait for an hour or whatever. Why even warm up if you’re just going to sit there? Might as The one point was enough to clinch a spot in the playoffs. well just suit up and play, see how it goes.” “I had kind of given up one bad goal at the end, we lost in overtime, and It went well. Cammalleri scored a hat trick. After the third goal went in, Scott Gomez came up to me after the game and said, ‘Listen, we made you could hear the ovation from outside the building. the playoffs, why are you so mad?’” Halak recalls. “He’s like, ‘no one’s gonna look at how many points we have or whatever. We made it and Not to put too fine a point on it, but that’s the moment Cammalleri truly that’s what matters. So now we are in. So we have to focus on the first arrived. game of the playoffs.’ And he was right.”

In hindsight, the centennial game was the first indication of what would Exceedingly large amounts of fun were made at Gomez’s expense during follow; Cammalleri had only played six career playoff games, but this was his years in Montreal, but it was hard to find a more beloved player in the a guy who clearly had a sense of occasion. dressing room.

Cammalleri would score 13 times in 19 playoff games, the third-highest Halak raises that point, and then comes back to it a second time for single-season total in franchise history behind Yvan Cournoyer’s 15 in emphasis: “He was always funny and he was always cheering me up 1973 and Frank Mahovlich’s 14 in 1971, ahead of Mount Rushmore and, no matter what happened, he was always just having fun.” names like Lafleur, Béliveau and Richard. Gomez was known to appreciate the finer things away from the rink. But, For the good of the team according to Gorges, an extremely high competitive drive lurked beneath the bonhomie. He’d won the Stanley Cup, and his influence as a guy who The Canadiens had just lost in overtime to the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 20 had “been there” was felt late in the season. when Andrei Markov came out of his shell to confront Price, demanding a better level of commitment from the young goaltender. It was the Also, Gomez knew how to look after his boys. Canadiens’ sixth loss in eight games. Frustration permeated the room. “He always made sure guys were taken care of,” Gorges says. “He would During the game, Blues tough guy Cam Janssen collided with Price when reach out to young guys, the guys who were by themselves, single guys he skated far from his crease to play the puck near the side boards. Price who didn’t have a family and, you know, ‘come with me on the road, we’ll tried in vain to challenge Janssen to a fight. Back then, this situation go for dinner.’ Even when we were in Montreal, he was always trying to called for two tough guys to settle things. Except Martin had chosen to get guys to do things together.” dress not one, but two defencemen – Ryan O’Byrne and Marc-André Bergeron – at forward over Georges Laraque, who was scratched. The day after the overtime loss to the Maple Leafs, the Flyers beat the Rangers in a shootout to book their own postseason ticket as the seventh The Canadiens were looking to build a cohesive group. It may no longer seed. Montreal confirmed its opponent: Washington, merely the best be the case, but 10 years ago, enforcers were believed to help build such team in the NHL over the regular season. cohesion by sticking up for teammates. The Canadiens were the doggiest of underdog teams. As the Capitals Laraque was on his last legs in the NHL that year, but he insists Martin series loomed, the consensus view was that the match-up involved an did not believe in the usefulness of having a tough guy in uniform. unstoppable offensive steamroller versus a minnow.

“Jacques Martin never told the media that he was the one who didn’t The Canadiens pointed out the pressure was squarely on the favourites, want me to fight, that he was the one who wouldn’t send me on the ice, who didn’t want to suffer the ignominy of a quick exit. But that didn’t because he would look like too much of an idiot,” Laraque says. “Instead, mean there was no pressure at all on Montreal. people were saying, ‘Georges can’t do the job anymore’ even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.” “We had that mindset, like, I don’t want to be embarrassed,” Gorges recalls. “Whether we win or lose this, we’ll see at the end of the day, but The day after the loss to the Blues, Gainey called Laraque into his office the last thing I want to do is be embarrassed by these guys.” just before the team was to leave for New Jersey. Canadiens vs. Capitals: ‘We might have to take matters into our own “Georges, we’re letting you go,” Laraque remembers Gainey saying. hands’ “You can go home, and we’ll pay you for the rest of the season.” After Tomas Plekanec provided the win in overtime of Game 1 in “Is this a joke? Why are you doing this?” Laraque asked. Washington, the Canadiens were a minute away from winning Game 2 before ultimately falling in overtime. Then they were handled quite easily “I don’t have to tell you why,” Gainey replied. “Collect your things and go in Games 3 and 4 in Montreal. Down 3-1 in the series, it appeared the home.” consensus view was correct.

Laraque went to shake hands with his teammates, some of whom had After the morning skate in Washington prior to Game 5, Metropolit – who trouble understanding what was going on because they had never seen had been scratched the first two games of the series and played less anything like it. However, Gainey brought some of his veterans into the than 10 minutes in the next two – sat at his locker and, in a casual loop beforehand. conversation with Arpon Basu, started ripping Martin and his tactics in “(Laraque) wasn’t happy, and at one point it started to become a the series. This was not all that abnormal; Metropolit was not the first distraction,” Gill recalls. “(Management) came to us, the leadership player frustrated with his usage to lace into his coach. group, and said, ‘This is the plan, this is what we’re going to do.’ (…) Bob But in this case, as it turns out, there was more to it. and Jacques had made it pretty clear that they were interested in building a team, and they were going to make that team without him.” Before Game 5, Martin challenged his players to find a solution to what had gone wrong. “These are moves that didn’t necessarily directly affect me, but in a way, it affected all of us,” Josh Gorges adds. “Because we all sat there and “We’re down against Washington and Jacques came in and said, ‘Look, we’ve prepared you, we’ve coached you, we’ve come up with the game plan, but this is your team, and you have to decide how you want your jam up the pass options and keep it from going up and over to Ovi. I can team to be,’” Gill remembers. “He wasn’t doing it to wash his hands, but I remember telling Jaro, ‘you’re going to have to make the near-side save think it was a calculated decision to have us take ownership. It was by every time, but we’re not letting it go up and over, and we’re going to take design. We had a big group of pretty vocal guys that year, and everyone away the back door.’ He still had to make some amazing saves and he had bonded together. I think that was a big moment, actually. He wanted did.” it to be about us.” Halak: “If there was anything going to the net, I was able to get there. But It was a risk, but a calculated one. for the most part, I think Hal was blocking more shots than I was!”

“The leadership group and a few of the other guys, maybe eight or nine Cammalleri: “Semin got a ton of, I mean, point-blank shots from the of us, we all sat down and said, ‘OK, if we want to do this, we want to middle, but he wasn’t scoring. … What tends to happen to pure shooters make this for real, we might have to take matters into our own hands,’” is they start changing their shots. Once you’ve started doing that, it’s not Gorges says. “Collectively, as a group, we decided this hasn’t worked up good. You start trying to force it. … You start missing the net sometimes, to this point, we need to be a little more reckless, but do it smartly, and it snowballs. Semin could have scored a lot of goals that series.” though. Let’s get on the attack. … We just said we’re not going to ask for permission, we’re just going to go out and do this and as long as we all He scored none. go out and do it together, what’s the difference? We’re all in this together Washington’s league-destroying power play wound up scoring just once anyways.” in 33 opportunities, but none of the kills was more important than a 75- Cammalleri calls it “one of the more collaborative player-coach efforts second 5-on-3 in Game 6 when Gill, Gorges and first Plekanec then Tom I’ve ever seen, as far as in-game changes.” Pyatt held the fort.

“Gomer or whoever would get up and say ‘Skillsy, what are you guys Gionta: “I don’t think those three guys could move after that 5-on-3. They feeling back there on their forecheck because we can’t get out of our own were exhausted. Hal Gill laying down in front like he always does, end.’ And he’d be, like, ‘well maybe if we drop a winger a little lower Gorges trying to block every shot. It was more just hanging on. I don’t here,’ and we’d say ‘okay, we’re going to go out this period and drop our understand how they didn’t score.” right wing low, we’re going to come out this way with an outlet here, let’s Game 6: The loudest in Bell Centre history try that.’ That kind of thing took place regularly between periods during that series.” In Montreal, the team had decided to house everyone at the Sofitel on Sherbrooke St. for the playoffs; it was a comfortable setup. The players Cammalleri might have spent more time drawing up plays than others. ate most of their meals together in a private upstairs dining room at Café “He did exactly what he was supposed to do for us that series,” says Ferreira, a couple blocks away. Gorges. “I remember times in between periods, he would stand up in the “Then we lost those first two games at home,” Cammalleri says. “When room and go up to the white board and he would draw up a specific play we came back … we said we wanted to stay at home, and I think on the power play, but it was for him to get the shot. We’d sit there and management was, ‘fine, do whatever you want, the hotel is there if you be like, ‘OK Cammy, you’re drawing up a play for yourself?’ want it.’ I don’t think any of us used it. We all started living at home again “But it wasn’t about him trying to get the glory. It was that if you get me in and then we started winning.” this position, I will score this goal for you guys. Like, just get it to me here The Canadiens, again on the brink of elimination, would need Halak to and I’m telling you, I’m going to score. Then we would go out and bang! stay alive in Game 6. He would put it in the back of the net and you’re like, ‘OK, if he says it and backs it up, I’ll stand behind him.’” Halak represented Slovakia at the Vancouver Olympics, set franchise records with the New York Islanders in 2014-15 and made the Stanley Adds Gill: “He called himself the Ferrari, which is actually pretty accurate. Cup Final with the Boston Bruins last year. He needed a lot of tune-ups, the special fuel, and needed to be babied a little, but he was a high-performance machine, man. I was always the old But all those career highlights don’t compare to Game 6 against the Ford pickup truck; ugly and stupid, but if you need to carry something Capitals. heavy I’ll get the job done. His mentality in that series was: just get me “I think it’s at the top,” Halak says. “I mean, maybe if we had won the the puck, and I’ll score. We had a lot of plays set up to get him into Stanley Cup last season with the Bruins – and this part means not me space, at 5-on-5 and especially on the power play, and he was just playing – it would be that for sure. But me being in nets that night, Game unstoppable.” 6 at home, it’s at the top of my list, I think.” Just 90 seconds into Game 5, Cammalleri struck with his third goal of the His 53 saves that night is a Canadiens playoff record, the kind of night series en route to a 2-1 win, setting up a sixth game in Montreal. where legends are born and people are inspired to create stop signs with Key to victory: 1-for-33 the name Halak on it.

Coming into the playoffs, Washington had scored 45 more goals than the Stop signs with Halak on them began popping up across the city. next most potent offence in Vancouver. But fully a quarter of their goals (Source: Twitter) had come on the power play, the highest such share in the league. “It was kind of funny at the time, and cool at the same time,” Halak says. Stopping that unit was written in boldface at the very top of the game “People always come up with crazy ideas. Some ideas don’t stick but that plan. The heaviest lifting would be assigned to Gill and Gorges. one was one of those that, every time I saw it, it made me happy.

Gill: “They were tough. You had (Nicklas) Backstrom on the wall, (Alex) “A friend of mine was actually able to get me one of those for myself so I Semin in the slot, (Mike) Green up top and Ovi, obviously, doing his can keep it as a memory. I still have it today in my home in Slovakia.” thing. But Pleky was the best in the game at not allowing the puck to go According to Hockey Night in Canada, that night generated the highest up and over, I still think that. And we had that small communication. … It registered noise level at the Bell Centre since it opened, hitting 137 got so we just had a feel.” decibels as Halak took his first-star twirl around the ice. Gorges: “I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this. … Me and him came up It was, in some ways, the night that a euphoric spring for the fans and the with our own system on how to communicate certain plays with one city began. word. So I would say one word if I was the net front, and he would know what that meant. So instead of having to bark out a sentence to him like, “There would be nights, we’d win a game and I’d be like ‘I’m just going to ‘Hey watch out, guy coming from your right’ we came up with a system go drive around and get a feel for the city,’” Cammalleri says. “God forbid where I would just say this, and that’s what this means. Or I’m going to I actually get out of my car or anything, but I wanted to see it. Drive by say this, that’s what this means, so I know if your stick goes here, I slide the sports bars and the night clubs and just feel the energy from the to this side and if your stick goes down, I slide to the other side. We partying going on. started to build this chemistry where it became instinctual between the two of us.” “To be part of that, and to be embraced like that was unbelievable.”

Gill: “Our plan was pretty simple. We were just trying to follow and track The Capitals had squandered a 3-1 series lead. Halak was in their head. Backstrom to Semin to Green and keep it to one side, stay in our lanes, Game 7: ‘I can’t wait to get my Vitamin B shot’ But that wasn’t nearly as consequential as the loss of Andrei Markov in the first period. On the morning of Game 7, the pressure was firmly on Washington. Markov took a hit from Matt Cooke in his own end, his right knee buckled Still, the Canadiens were trying to do something that had never and folded underneath him in a disastrous way. Markov threw his glove happened in franchise history: claw all the way back from a 1-3 series in the air in pain. deficit. One player later said he felt intense butterflies that day but when he saw big, goofy Hal Gill, Cup winner, walk into the room as cool could “You don’t replace a guy like that,” Gionta says. be, the butterflies disappeared. Markov had missed 37 games in the regular season and would play only “I’d come from Pittsburgh, we’d been to the Finals two years in a row, 20 games over the following two seasons. If the 2010 playoffs are a and I learned a lot from that experience,” Gill says. “Danny Bylsma was wonderful memory for most, they mark the beginning of a stretch of really insistent about enjoying the moment. … Look, when you’re a kid horrible injury luck for Markov. playing in the driveway you’re not re-enacting an exhibition game, right? You’re imagining yourself in Game 7, all the marbles, and you’re going to It’s true you don’t replace a guy like Markov. But it helps having a guy like be the hero. So I had fun with it.” P.K. Subban in the on-deck circle.

Adds Gionta: “It’s how you carry yourself. Hal Gill was a big, vocal guy. In mid-February, when Markov had to sit out two games, Subban was He had won the Cup the year before. Ton of experience. But for all of us, called up from Hamilton to make his NHL debut. Mathieu Darche, who we weren’t supposed to win that series, we were down 3-1. The pressure had also started the season in the AHL, remembers that home-and-home was not on us, it was ‘just go out and play.’ … If you’re all jittery and with the Flyers well. bouncing around, that’s going to come up naturally. If you’re calm and “There was a game at the Bell Centre where Chris Pronger went to hit just go about your daily routine and act like it’s just another day, that’s P.K., he ducks and Pronger misses him,” Darche says. “One of them was how the whole team reacts to it.” one of the best defencemen of all time, and one of the dirtiest, too, and The vibe was evidently contagious. Cammalleri recalls “it was just a the other is playing his first NHL game. P.K. turns around and says, really happy time. ‘Suck on that, Prong.’

“It sounds weird, because you’re playing playoff hockey and working the “He had that confidence. He just didn’t care.” hardest you’ve ever worked, but it felt like a vacation at the same time, if Two months later, that confidence and enthusiasm would become the that makes any sense?” ace in the Canadiens’ sleeve.

Gill still feels a sense of nostalgia about moments like that. Subban entered the 2010 playoffs in Game 6 against the Capitals when “I won’t lie to you: I’d give anything, all the Cups and all the big moments, Jaroslav Spacek was felled by a mysterious illness. But it was the loss of to be able to go back and have that feeling of Game 7 morning again,” he Markov that suddenly made Subban one of the Canadiens’ most says. “That’s when you get to challenge yourself. We all wanted to be in important players. He scored his first goal in a Canadiens uniform in that situation. … I’m not going to say I wasn’t nervous at all, but I was Game 1 and, two nights later, played more than 23 minutes in a 3-1 win definitely enjoying it, and I think we all did. That day went by really fast, in Pittsburgh. and I remember going into that game thinking we’re going to do this.” From the very start of that game, the notion of facing Crosby became It wasn’t easy. Semin hit a post in the first, Washington had a goal waved almost an obsession. off in the third. “I mostly remember P.K. really stepping up his game when Marky got With 3:41 to play, Gill banged a loose puck off the glass. Dominic Moore hurt,” Gill says. “But he was chirping at Sid right from the beginning and I eventually latched onto the puck and scored, low blocker. The building think I told him, ‘Just let him sleep, don’t provoke him.’ But that’s not was so quiet you could hear the Montreal bench erupt from the press really what P.K. is all about. box. “I remember telling Sid at one point, ‘Look, this kid is going to keep The Canadiens’ team services coordinator, Alain “Flower” Gagnon, had playing you hard, so you’d better get used to it.’ I think that made him told the players to plan for five days’ worth of clothes because, in the even more mad. It takes a lot of guts to put yourself on the line against event of a win, they’d be flying directly to Pittsburgh. There wasn’t much the best player in the world, and that’s what P.K. did. He’s out there time to celebrate; a plane was waiting at Dulles airport, about 40 minutes yelling at Sid, ‘I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life, Sid. I’m going to west of the city. shut you down, you’re done for tonight. This is the best day of my life, Sid, look I’m shutting you down.’ It’s not how I would have done it, but it “It was a long bus ride to the airport,” says Gorges. “I remember just was great.” being like, ‘OK, I’m exhausted.’ … My Corsi number must have been the worst in hockey history. I don’t think I played a shift outside my end.” Blades of steel

Sitting on the bus, he had two preoccupations. “I can’t wait to get to The teams traded wins through the first four games of the series, setting Pittsburgh and one, go to sleep. Two, get a Vitamin B shot. I think I up a pivotal Game 5 in Pittsburgh. requested an IV. I just said, I can’t wait to get there, I know we’re not The Penguins built a 2-0 lead over the first two periods. In the third, going to practice. We’ll do our meetings, I can’t wait to get my Vitamin B things got worse for the Canadiens. shot, get some liquids put in me.” Gill and Chris Kunitz got tangled up along the boards, and Kunitz Beyond beds and IVs, the reality of what was waiting for them in accidentally stepped on the back of the big defenceman’s leg as he fell to Pittsburgh crystallized rather quickly for Gorges. A certain No. 87. the ice.

“You want to be excited and happy, but you have one day of rest and “When they did a test in the dressing room there was a pop,” Gill says. then you have to go play against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and “So I went to the hospital and had surgery on (the tendon). Dr. (David) the defending Stanley Cup champions?” Gorges says. “Like, our job Mulder, (the Canadiens’ head physician) babysat me. I’ll never forget it didn’t get easier. … You can be winning your matchup 98 percent of the as long as I live, he was awesome. He stayed with me in Pittsburgh game. The 2 percent that you don’t? That you make a mistake and fall through that night to make sure I was OK.” asleep, or you’re not ready? He has two points and at the end of the day they win 3-2; he got the game-winning goal and an assist and they say, The team had chartered home immediately after the game, so the 6-foot- ‘Sidney Crosby does it again.’” 7 Gill, his straight leg cast, and Mulder were left to fly commercial the next morning. It turned into an adventure. Canadiens vs. Penguins: ‘I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life, Sid.’ “We go to the airport in Pittsburgh and the flight’s delayed,” Gill said. Contain Crosby, frustrate him, make him less useful to his team: Those “Then I fold myself into the plane to go to Philly, we get there and there’s are easy things to say, less so to do. a long delay there too. I remember sitting there and saying, ‘Doc, I’m Halak was pulled in Game 1 in Pittsburgh – it happened at some point in playing tomorrow, I have to eat something.’ I’m limping around looking for all three series that spring – and the Canadiens came back to earth with food and Dr. Mulder’s laughing, ‘Hal, I don’t think you’re going to find a thud in a 6-3 loss. anything here that’s as healthy as what you’re used to.’ I ended up eating at a Chinese buffet of some sort, it … wasn’t pretty. But it was food. We “I remember Pleky being in (Crosby’s) head all series. Absolutely,” got into Montreal really late that night, my leg was pretty swollen by Gionta says. then.” How did he do that? The next morning, Gill told the media he hoped to play in that evening’s must-win Game 6. “By being Pleky,” Gionta answers. “He gives you little shots here and there away from the play that just kind of dig more and make your night “I was able to get out there for the warm-up,” he remembers. “But about even more miserable. … In a series, that starts to wear on you. One five minutes in, I’d fallen three times. I couldn’t really move around so I game, fine, next time when we see him in a month I’ll get him back. You went to (associate coach Kirk Muller) and I told him I couldn’t go. His hate that guy. But when you’re playing him six, seven times in a two- reaction was awesome. He just lit right into me: ‘What do you mean you week span, it boils over. And it did in that series.” can’t go? It’s Game 6, we need you, you’re playing.’ And I just told him, ‘Kirkie, I can’t even stand up, I can’t skate, I’m useless, I’m going to hurt As the horn sounded on Montreal’s crucial victory in Game 6, Crosby the team.’ ” gave a meaty cross-check to his main antagonist and then had to be restrained from going after Gorges. Gill returned to the dressing room, peeled off his gear and found a quiet corner. “I know Crosby loathed (Plekanec) so much,” says Darche. “He’s a frustrating guy because he doesn’t talk, but he was sneaky with his stick. But rather than showering and changing into his game-day suit, Gill He was a little pig. He was very effective at getting under your skin.” snuck down the tunnel in his sweats just as the anthems were being performed. And as he lurked, just out of view, he made a promise to “I had a role on the team, I played my game. … It was just a style of himself. hockey, I guess, that he didn’t like,” Plekanec says.

“The atmosphere in that building was just incredible,” he says. “I told “It wasn’t just me, it was the whole team … here and there, there’s a myself I will never miss another game here. I don’t care if I’m a detriment slash that’s coming, and it’s coming both ways. I mean, he’s not any to the team.” different. He was coming after other players, slashing around and stuff like that. … Obviously his frustration level was high and it obviously Game 6: A familiar feeling helped us.”

The sixth game had a sense of déjà vu to it. It did. Because two nights later, Bob Cole would famously exclaim: “What is going on in Pennsylvania?” The Canadiens were again trying to tie the series 3-3 at home. Halak had a big game, again. Cammalleri scored two goals, again. The Bell Centre Game 7: Melting the Igloo was deafening, again. Days after having a surgical procedure on his leg, Gill was back in “It was so loud,” Darche says, “we had trouble talking to each other on uniform for the deciding game of the series, something he decided right the bench.” after his teammates won Game 6.

Subban was chosen to replace Gill as Gorges’ partner. Suddenly, “When we won,” Gill says, “I was sitting there in the room, in tears.” Gorges went from the student on his pairing to the teacher — the veteran presence who had to explain to this exuberant rookie the ins and outs of In truth, he didn’t feel much better than he had in the Game 6 warmup. facing Crosby on practically every shift. “I remember my first shift, I tried to gap up on Sid and I just fell on my Except it was Subban who wanted to send a message. ass,” Gill says. “He blew right by me, and Gorgie had to hustle over to cover the middle, thankfully he was able to get there. We got back to the “I got Crosby, you just worry about everything else,” Gorges remembers bench and I just gave (Gorges) a little smile, like, ‘You’re going to have to Subban telling him. help me out tonight, bud.’ And he just gave me a little nod. He was a great partner.” “What?” Gorges replied. The Igloo was hopping for Game 7, until it wasn’t. “I have Crosby, you worry about everything else,” Subban repeated. Crosby took a boarding penalty 10 seconds into the first shift of the “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Gorges said. “No, I’m sorry. I love that you want to game. Gionta scored on the power play 22 seconds later. go after him, but you can’t just shadow him and then, what, I’m playing both sides? No, that’s not how we play. It won’t work.” Moore made it 2-0, then Cammalleri scored early in the second to make it 3-0. “No, I’m not going to let him do anything,” Subban insisted. “I’m not going to let him do anything.” “I never really celebrated goals much, but I remember being on my knees there with both hands pump-fisting,” he says. “I remember feeling, ‘that’s It took Gorges some time, but it eventually dawned on him what the it, we’ve won. They’re not coming back from three goals. That was it.’ I rookie was trying to do. wasn’t ready to count our chickens before that, but I remember feeling “When he first said that to me, I’m thinking my head’s going to explode,” really good when that one went in. That could be it.” he says. “How am I going to do my job and try to reel this guy in to do his Two minutes later, this happened: job? He’s got three games of NHL experience, or something like that. Five, whatever it was. This was a tall task. But when I kind of like sat Moen’s goal had a chilling effect on Penguins fans at the Igloo. Almost down and thought about it, he’s not saying he’s going to shadow him and nauseating, in fact. follow him all over the ice. WHAT'S THE SOUND OF 17,000 PEOPLE PUKING IN THEIR “He’s just trying to let me know that he’s OK, he’s not overwhelmed, and MOUTHS A LITTLE BIT? THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IN MELLON that he can handle this.” RIGHT NOW

Subban played 29 minutes that night, 18 of them against Crosby, who — АRPON BASU (@ARPONBASU) MAY 13, 2010 scored a goal and an assist, neither goal coming with Subban on the ice. The city of Montreal might have had a spring fling with Halak, but she fell Gionta: “They score a couple and they actually had a power play at the head over heels in love with Subban. end of the second and it carried over into the early part of the third. They score there, it’s a 4-3 game and a completely different outcome, possibly. The Canadiens won 4-3 and a frustrating series for Crosby boiled over. We did not have a great second period, but we came back out and re- established ourselves in the third and the air in the building, you could The stone in Sid’s shoe sense it was just deflated.”

If Montreal had a plan in the series, the sharp, pointy end of it was a quiet Gill: “Late in that game there was a scrum in the corner and (Cooke) was guy with a penchant for turtlenecks. working my leg over. He probably ripped out half the staples in my knee. Plekanec wasn’t much of a talker. He was just a smart, relentless, dirty- He knew where the injury was. And I remember looking at him and adjacent hockey player with a peculiar gift for driving the best player in laughing, because he could do whatever he wanted to me. We were the world nuts. winning that game and they were losing and going home.” Cammalleri: “That was the last game in the building, I remember that. It In many ways, the 2014 team that reached the Eastern Conference Final was like, that’s it, the building’s done. Outside the visitors’ locker room, was an extension of the team that made a spectacular, if clearly for whatever reason there was a number 13 sign. Like, it was locker room unsustainable, run in 2010. No. 13 in the bowels of the Igloo. And the number was special to me, obviously, so I ripped the 13 off the wall and took it home with me. I have In that sense, Gainey’s grand experiment worked. an Igloo memory in my house. You may remember that room was as Then again, we didn’t need to wait four years to see the results. The unglamorous as any visiting NHL locker room has ever been. I have my success was apparent in the hours after the Canadiens were eliminated piece of it. We didn’t bring any of the rats home with us, though.” that late-May night in Philadelphia, as players began trickling into a Darche: “When we got back from Game 7 and arrived at Starlink, which downtown Montreal pub, a few at a time. Exhausted and devastated. is where the plane landed, there were tons of people outside waiting for Together. us. It was crazy.” The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 Canadiens vs. Flyers: Running out of gas

The feeling Gill remembers when he jumped on the ice in the series opener sums up the Eastern Conference Final: “I’m trying as hard as I can to get it done, and it wasn’t getting done.”

The Canadiens were blown out in Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia by a combined score of 9-0.

Montreal showed some fight at home in Game 3, winning 5-1. It wasn’t enough. In Game 4, they suffered their third shutout loss of the series — the first time that had happened in franchise history.

“I think we just ran out of steam,” Gionta says. “The first two series were so draining, it just caught up with us and we couldn’t get anything going against Philly that year … couldn’t get any kind of momentum, couldn’t kind of solve them.”

Down 3-1 in the series, Gionta put Montreal on the board just 59 seconds into the fifth game, and then the Canadiens went to work on the power play when Kimmo Timonen was sent to the box for roughing.

It didn’t go well.

“It was just kind of how the series was going,” Gionta says. “Nothing was going our way, we couldn’t make anything happen. A play like that, two guys come out to play the puck, no communication, they run into each other, it scoots right to their guy and he walks in all alone.

“That just kind of summed up the series for us.”

Conclusion: An experiment lives on

Four years later, when the 2014 playoffs began, only seven members of the 2010 team remained in Montreal.

Gionta, the lone holdover from Gainey’s 2009 Canada Day shopping spree, was team captain. Subban was a Norris Trophy winner, Markov and Plekanec were still as effective as ever, Gorges played 20 minutes a night and Travis Moen continued to provide depth.

And there was Price, the only one of the seven still with the Canadiens today.

Remember Gainey calling him a thoroughbred at the end of the 2009 playoffs? That thoroughbred clearly needed to be broken in.

Watching that 2010 team from his spot on the bench is a big reason why Price was front and centre on the 2014 team that made a return trip to the Eastern Conference Final. It was a big reason why Price helped Canada win gold at the 2014 Olympics. Why he won the Vezina and Hart trophies in 2015. Why he came to be considered among the best in the world at his position.

Following that run in 2010, Price spoke openly with reporters for 45 minutes about what he had learned, about how fragile an NHL career can be and how he needed to work as hard as he could to make sure he didn’t squander his opportunity.

“When I was sitting on the bench there was a decision that I made,” Price said repeatedly that day. “If things weren’t going to work out, it wasn’t going to be from a lack of effort.”

Price is the obvious legacy of that magical 2010 run — the one who went on to become the Canadiens’ franchise player based largely on what he learned. But he is not the only legacy.

Brendan Gallagher was mentored by Gionta on the fine art of thriving as an undersized player and by Gorges, who took him into his home for the first two years of Gallagher’s career. Max Pacioretty grew into a leader under Gionta’s guidance. Subban was mentored by Gill for the first two years of his NHL career. 1185251 New Jersey Devils Alex Killorn, the Lightning’s player representative said Sunday in an interview with The Athletic that his teammates opposed the format because of competitive imbalance between the top seeds and everyone National Hockey League Edges Toward Restart With Detailed Plans else.

A modified playoff format, restricted practices and other considerations The Coronavirus Outbreak are being discussed between league executives and the players’ union. Frequently Asked Questions and Advice

Updated May 20, 2020

By Andrew Knoll How can I protect myself while flying?

If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect A game once played outdoors in subzero temperatures and wool yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your sweaters may soon crown its champion during the swelter of summer. face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a On Monday, the National Hockey League sent a memo to players and window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with members of the news media detailing a plan to resume its season with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your voluntary workouts as soon as early June after a layoff of more than two seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard months. surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard The announcement came after a vote last week in which the executive and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. board of the N.H.L.’s players association approved a proposal for a 24- (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and team playoff, scrapping the dozen or so games remaining in each team’s spreading of germs rather than killing them.) regular season. Discussions are continuing between the league and union on how, and where, to resume play, which would almost certainly What are the symptoms of coronavirus? occur without fans in the arenas. Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty Even with the framework of the season’s finale taking shape, the plans breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with underscored the concerns that hockey’s stakeholders are weighing to those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy restart. sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell The league’s 22-page “Phased Return to Sport Protocol” would allow for as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after a maximum of six players at a time to meet in a team’s practice facility, exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many along with a small group of team personnel. On-ice workouts cannot as 14 days. include coaches or trainers and players will have to wear face coverings elsewhere inside team facilities. Players and team personnel will be How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.? required to undergo testing in advance of returning to practice facilities or, if the local supply does not allow for widespread testing, to quarantine Over 38 million people have filed for unemployment since March. One in for 14 days before they can enter. five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal The league emphasized that these workouts would be voluntary — to Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly allow for safety concerns and any immigration issues for players concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers returning to the United States — and conducted only where local living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 jurisdictions have relaxed restrictions to allow gatherings. percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.

“We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s Is ‘Covid toe’ a symptom of the disease? markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties,” the memo said. There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers The plan looks to be a starting point for vetting the logistics of the return or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection to play. The competitive and financial stakes of the league’s return and with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small the health risks associated with going back to normal, make any blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually discussion complicated. common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some The players’ union vote on the playoff format came after considerable dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe debate but received near unanimous approval, with 29 of 31 team should be sufficient grounds for testing. representatives voting to continue discussions. Can I go to the park? Under the format, the playoffs would expand from 16 teams to 24, with the top four teams in each conference earning byes. Those top four Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and teams would compete in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding, people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, while the other 16 teams competed in best-of-five series. N.H.L. rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that the games would be played sunshine, is a good idea. without fans and with limited travel. Competition would be confined to between two and four sites, the locations of which have yet to be How do I take my temperature? determined. Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it The representatives for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep Hurricanes cast the only two votes against pursuing the proposal. an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are “You look at teams that had a 10 percent chance to make it, now they’re other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 pretty much on a 50-50 playing field,” Jordan Martinook, the Hurricanes complications. representative, said in a conference call on Monday. Should I wear a mask? Martinook said his team believed that the teams that were seeded fifth through eighth would face a disadvantage because they would have to The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if play an additional five-game series under the new format. they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who “When you have to win four to win the Stanley Cup — I’m sure the Blues have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised would tell you that it’s hard enough — now that you’re going to have to that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and win five it’s obviously harder,” he said. coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

How do I get tested?

If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.

How can I help?

Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.

Normally, a bye might be an advantage, allowing for more rest and preparation. But after not playing for two months, even top teams need as much time on the ice in high-stakes environments as possible, he said. And he is not comfortable with more teams in the playoff than would normally qualify.

Still, he said, “there’s not going to be any way to do this that satisfies everyone. We’re just going to try to be as fair as possible. Whatever it is, we’re going to have to find a way to play with it.”

As with other major professional leagues managing a return to play, getting Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, remains a big risk in many areas. Five players on the Ottawa Senators and three of the Colorado Avalanche’s players tested positive for Covid-19 in late March.

The league said it consulted with Dr. Bruce Farber, an infectious disease specialist in New York, and other health professionals to shape guidelines that could include drastic changes to the game itself, ranging from mandating players wear full-face shields in games to prohibiting fights.

Georges Laraque, a former enforcer who contracted and recovered from Covid-19, said that while he understood the financial motivation to return to play — estimates vary but all place lost earnings from a canceled playoff north of $1 billion — he felt that the risks were too great to return this season.

“This year, the guys are not playing for the Stanley Cup, they’re playing not to lose $1.5 billion next year,” Laraque said. “Whoever’s going to win the Cup this year, there’s going to be an asterisk marked on it. It’s a joke.”

New York Times LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185252 New Jersey Devils On Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the go-ahead for teams in his state to begin training camps.

The NHL and NBA seasons were stopped in mid-March, and the Major NHL players to return to the ice in small groups in early June League Baseball season has been on hold after the coronavirus pandemic swept the nation, particularly New York, which has the most cases and death in the nation. John Connolly, NorthJersey.com Published 11:51 a.m. ET May 25, 2020 | Updated 1:05 p.m. ET May 25, 2020 Cuomo said New York teams should be able to start practices in hopes of getting their seasons underway without fans.

"I believe that sports that can come back without having people in the The National Hockey League and its players' union have reached an stadium, without having people in the arena, do it. Do it," Cuomo said agreement to return to the ice as restrictions begin to ease during the Sunday at his briefing at Jones Beach on Long Island. coronavirus pandemic. Staff writers Joe Spector and Vincent Z. Mercogliano contributed to this The league announced it will reopen team facilities and begin training in report. June, at a date to be determined. Once open, six players will be allowed in a facility at one time. They will be wearing masks when not on the ice, Bergen Record LOADED: 05.26.2020 according to the league.

The NHL released details of the "Phase 2" transition back to on-ice activities in a 20-plus page plan for teams on Monday.

Coronavirus: Pelotons, Rollerblades and yoga: How NHL players are staying in shape without the ice

"We are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2. However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last," the NHL stated.

The on-ice training will be for players only. "No coaches, skating coaches, other Club employees or Club contracted representatives may participate in any on-ice sessions," the league said. However, clubs may observe the workouts.

The league stressed that players will not be forced to return to the team's home city and participation in these workouts is "strictly voluntary."

All players and team personnel will be tested for COVID-19 prior to being cleared to utilize the team facilities. Also, any person returning to the team's home city by "public transportation, including commercial air or rail travel, must serve a 14-day self-quarantine period post-travel before engaging in training activities," the league said.

Team's medical personnel can also impose a 14-day quarantine on any personnel returning from "a high-risk environment."

The league's safety protocols will require daily temperature checks before entering a facility and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the facility after each workout session.

All teams must adhere to local health restrictions, including social distancing, and the NHL will work with teams to make alternate arrangements if their facility is unable to open because of current restrictions.

Stanley Cup playoffs in the works

The NHL players’ association also accepted the league’s proposal for a 24-team Stanley Cup playoff format through a vote that concluded Friday night.

It passed overwhelmingly with a 29-2 tally, according to TVA Sports, but the NHLPA issued a statement indicating "several details remain to be negotiated."

The makeshift tournament would feature 12 teams in each conference, with seeds based on points percentage and calculated using every team’s record at the time of the pause.

Which team has the best jerseys?: Presenting our NHL jersey power rankings

The top four seeds in each conference would automatically advance to the traditional round of 16, but seed Nos. 5 through 12 would have to play their way in.

Multiple reports have indicated the league is zeroing in on having two centralized hub cities — one per conference — with several NHL cities making bids to host. But with such uncertainty and fluidity across North America due to the pandemic, no formal decisions have been made.

Cuomo allows training in New York 1185253 New York Islanders

Phase 2 of NHL’s restart plan details voluntary small-group workouts

By Larry BrooksMay 25, 2020 | 12:14pm | Updated

The NHL has formulated plans to open club training facilities for small- group on-ice and off-ice workouts as soon as next week in what the league is calling Phase 2 of its response to COVID-19.

The league has steadfastly avoided putting a timetable on a potential summer return, but if all goes well in negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA and governing health bodies allow, training camps (Phase 3) could begin by late June. That would put the league in position to start its 24-team tournament (Phase 4) the second or third week of July with the crowning of a Stanley Cup champion in mid to late September.

Under these protocols distributed to players by the NHLPA on Monday before the 22-page memo’s official release by the league, no more than six players at a time will be permitted in a club facility. Coaches would be permitted to observe, but not join, on-ice activity.

Teams are responsible for arranging testing through their club health care providers. Players and staff members will be given a nasal swab test two days before commencing training and then will be re-tested twice a week thereafter. Tests are expected to yield results within 24 hours.

Players and staff are also expected to take their own temperature and check for symptoms on a daily basis. As well, temperature and symptom checks must be performed daily at the entrance to the club facility. Players and staff members who test positive or develop symptoms will be segregated from the group and referred for further medical observation under self-isolation.

The league states that “[the] over-riding principle [of] testing of asymptomatic Players and Club personnel [is that it] must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests (‘Publicly Necessary Testing’).”

Players returning to their teams’ respective home cities by public transportation — including commercial air travel — must self-quarantine for 14 days before joining the Phase 2 small group workouts. Those deemed to be returning from “high-risk” environments may be required to self-quarantine for 14 days even if not traveling via public transportation.

All personnel are expected to maintain social distancing, with players and staff members required to wear cloth masks (except when working out on or off the ice) if not possible to maintain six-foot spacing between parties. All personnel are required to wear masks when entering and exiting the arena.

These small-group workouts are voluntary. Teams cannot compel players to return to their respective home cities. NHL facilities will be open to all players in the area, including those on other clubs, for Phase 2.

The NHL and NHLPA are expected to resume negotiations Tuesday on an agreement covering all outstanding issues relating to a summer return to the ice. The parties have agreed on the general framework of a 24- team Stanley Cup playoff tournament.

New York Post LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185254 New York Islanders Among the personnel prohibited from entering team facilities during Phase 2 are the media, agents, players’ family members, massage therapists, chiropractors and player performance personnel.

NHL targeting early June for team practice facilities to reopen Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.26.2020

By Andrew Gross

The NHL is targeting early June for its teams to reopen their practice facilities for small-group workouts as the league continues to move toward a restart after halting its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the league and the NHL Players’ Association released the memo sent to its 31 teams late Sunday detailing the protocols.

A maximum of six players will be allowed at one time — strictly on a voluntary basis — at an NHL practice facility and the coaches will not be able to work with the players yet. The players do not have to report to their team’s home city and may be able to work out at an opposing team’s building.

“Based on the current information available, we are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2,” the NHL said in its memo. “However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last. We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the Club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Sunday that he was immediately allowing professional sports teams to resume training in the state. Still, NHL teams cannot reopen their training facilities without the NHL/NHLPA go-ahead.

NHL players and personnel have been under self-quarantine guidelines since the season was halted. Phase 2 covers the return to small-group workouts. Phase 3 will be organized training camps. Phase 4 is the resumption of play.

The NHL and the NHLPA have agreed — with the final details still to be worked out and no formal announcement yet — on a return-to-play model that includes 24 teams separated by conferences in two hub cities. The Islanders, seeded seventh in the Eastern Conference, and the 11th- seeded Rangers are included in the return-to-play model. The state’s third team, the Buffalo Sabres, would not be included.

Under the plan, the conference’s top four seeds are expected to play a three-game round robin to finalize the standings while the other teams square off in best-of-five play-in series.

Among the health protocols detailed in the memo, the players are required to wear face masks when they are not exercising or on the ice. Players are not allowed to carpool to the facility or take public transportation, taxis or rideshares.

The players will be assigned workout shifts to ensure the best social distancing practices at the facility.

Also, the players and team staff will be administered a COVID-19 nasal swab test two days before starting Phase 2 workouts. They subsequently will be tested at least twice per week after that and must give themselves a temperature and symptom check each day.

The NHL/NHLPA memo notes that “relaxation of travel and shelter in place requirements may differ between countries and regions” and that the teams should “facilitate Player travel arrangements, to the extent permitted.”

Phase 2 of NHL’s restart plan details voluntary small-group workouts

By Larry Brooks May 25, 2020 | 12:14pm | Updated

The NHL has formulated plans to open club training facilities for small- group on-ice and off-ice workouts as soon as next week in what the league is calling Phase 2 of its response to COVID-19.

New York Post LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185256 New York Rangers On Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the go-ahead for teams in his state to begin training camps.

The NHL released details of the "Phase 2" transition back to on-ice activities in a 20-plus page plan for teams on Monday.

Coronavirus: Pelotons, Rollerblades and yoga: How NHL players are staying in shape without the ice

"We are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2. However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last," the NHL stated.

The league stressed that players will not be forced to return to the team's home city and participation in these workouts is "strictly voluntary."

Team's medical personnel can also impose a 14-day quarantine on any personnel returning from "a high-risk environment."

The league's safety protocols will require daily temperature checks before entering a facility and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the facility after each workout session.

Stanley Cup playoffs in the works

The NHL players’ association also accepted the league’s proposal for a 24-team Stanley Cup playoff format through a vote that concluded Friday night.

It passed overwhelmingly with a 29-2 tally, according to TVA Sports, but the NHLPA issued a statement indicating "several details remain to be negotiated."

The makeshift tournament would feature 12 teams in each conference, with seeds based on points percentage and calculated using every team’s record at the time of the pause.

Which team has the best jerseys?: Presenting our NHL jersey power rankings

The top four seeds in each conference would automatically advance to the traditional round of 16, but seed Nos. 5 through 12 would have to play their way in.

Cuomo allows training in New York 1185257 New York Rangers Among the personnel prohibited from entering team facilities during Phase 2 are the media, agents, players’ family members, massage therapists, chiropractors and player performance personnel.

NHL targeting early June for team practice facilities to reopen Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 05.26.2020

By Andrew Gross

On Monday, the league and the NHL Players’ Association released the memo sent to its 31 teams late Sunday detailing the protocols.

Under the plan, the conference’s top four seeds are expected to play a three-game round robin to finalize the standings while the other teams square off in best-of-five play-in series.

The players will be assigned workout shifts to ensure the best social distancing practices at the facility.

Further, “some individuals . . . traveling back to their Club’s home city may be required to serve a 14-day self-quarantine imposed by local health authorities, regardless of their mode of travel. Even if not imposed by the local health authorities, such individuals returning to the Club’s home city by public transportation, including commercial air or rail travel, must serve a 14-day self-quarantine period post-travel before engaging in training activities at their Club’s facility. In addition, Club Medical personnel may impose a 14-day quarantine on Players and Permitted Personnel . . . returning to the Club’s home city from a high-risk environment, even if they are not travelling via public transportation.” 1185258 Ottawa Senators No matter what system is used, the Senators should maintain strong odds to have two high picks with their own selection and the one they have from the San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade. The seven teams eliminated, including Detroit, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Buffalo and The end of the season wasn't picture perfect for the Ottawa Senators New Jersey, will have the best odds while there may be a scenario to include some of the play-in squads.

With three first-round picks and seven picks in the first two rounds, this is Bruce Garrioch going to be an exciting draft for the Senators because even if they don’t get No. 1 overall, they’ll pick up some high-end talent and may be able to use some of those picks to make deals to bring in veteran players for The 2019-20 Ottawa Senators won’t even get a chance to smile for the next season. camera. No, this ending to the season wasn’t picture perfect for the Senators, but While nothing has been announced, a decision by the NHL Players’ hope springs eternal at this time of year and now they can look forward to Association’s executive committee Friday night to accept the league’s next season. proposal to try to finish out the year with a 24-team tournament that will get under way in mid-to-late July means the season is over for the Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.26.2020 Senators.

But for the first time in club history, the Senators won’t have a team photo of this group which means they’ll likely have no choice but to photoshop something together in the coming months. No, this isn’t the worst thing that can happen, but it shows how unique this situation really is because this is the first time since 1992-93 when Ottawa came back into the league that it won’t have a group picture.

Under normal circumstances, the Senators, who aren’t the only team in this situation, have the team photo after the trade deadline and before the end of the regular season. Ideally, you want to have the group you finished the year with because it always changes and so the plan for the Senators was to do their photo at the Canadian Tire Centre not long after they returned from their trip through Western conference.

However, the NHL went on pause March 12, only hours after the Senators dropped a 3-2 decision to the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on March 11, and with Ottawa sitting in 30th place the club won’t resume whenever the NHL does move to Phase 2 in early June. Though the building will be reopened for small groups, there won’t be many on hand because there aren’t many players left in town.

You can’t exactly bring everybody back to do a team photo, hold exit meetings and do medicals because with physical distancing limits of six feet that wouldn’t be allowed. Under the rules given to the teams and the players by the league Monday, there’s also a limit of six players in the rink at any one time when rinks do open so you can’t exactly get everybody back together.

Given the fact, the NHL will try to move to Phase 2 in early June, hold a training camp around July 1 and then start the play-in tournament around July 15, the reality is the Stanley Cup may not be awarded until late- September or early-October in an empty arena.

The hope right now is the league will open training camps in mid- November and then get next season under way around mid-December. The NHL wants to have a full 82-game schedule in 2020-21, but league can’t afford to play in empty rinks so it’s trying for a best-case scenario so it can have fans in the stands.

That means by the time the Senators take the ice for next season we may not have seen them at home since the club’s 4-3 victory over Jean- Gabriel Pageau and the New York Islanders on March 4.

So, now Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk, GM Pierre Dorion, coach D.J. Smith, chief scout Trent Mann and the rest of the hockey operations staff can get ready to turn the page.

As noted on the weekend, of utmost importance is finding out when the NHL draft is going to be held. Yes, people can complain that there’s been too much written on this subject, but unless you’ve been living in cave you’ll realize that 2020 draft is one of the most important in the history of the club and there’s a lot of interest locally in what’s going to happen.

A report by TVA’s Renaud Lavoie Monday said the draft lottery could be held June 26, the indications are no date has been set in stone by the league. The NHL has so many moving parts, it’s difficult to judge where the draft stands because the top priority is try to get the teams that are going to play back on the ice.

While it’s almost certain the draft won’t be held until later in the summer because the league wasn’t able to sell some general managers on the importance of holding it when there’s not much happening in the sports world, the format of the lottery will be interesting. 1185259 Ottawa Senators “Players shall be encouraged to shower at home wherever possible,” the league said.

To keep regular tabs on the situation, the players and staff must also NHL aiming for early June for Phase 2, teams face severe repercussions “self-administer temperature and symptom checks every day.” if rules not followed Players are also being told that they can use an NHL facility in their area even if they don’t play for that team.

Bruce Garrioch An example would be Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, who has returned to Ottawa during the pause in the schedule, could use the Canadian Tire Centre, but it should be noted the ice has been removed and the Senators are one of the seven teams that won’t return to action. The NHL has issued guidelines for its hopeful move to Phase 2 early next month and there’s going to be plenty of rules. There will be no shortage of NHL players from other teams in the Toronto area that may want to use the facilities owned by the Maple Leafs. In a memo sent to the members of the NHL Players’ Association Monday morning by general counsel Don Zavelo and obtained by Postmedia, the Naturally, there won’t be any media access allowed during Phase 2 and it union states that when the league does open its rinks that the next stage appears doubtful that will even happen when the league does get back is voluntary and the league is hopeful it will happen sometime in early up and running to play in empty rinks later this summer. Judging by the June. memo, there’s going to be very little interaction between management, the players and the coaching staff for the next little while to try to prevent Later in the morning, the league released a 22-page memo it sent to the the spread of COVID-19. NHL’s board of governors Sunday night that outlines the rules and regulations for Phase 2. Any team that doesn’t following these The league found out during this crisis how quickly it can spread through regulations could be subject to fines, loss of draft picks or may not be a team, as evidenced by the fact five players on the Senators, a staff able to participate in the resumption of play because their facility will be member and broadcaster Gord Wilson had the novel coronavirus after a shut down. trip through California before the pause got under way on March 12.

“Based on the current information available, we are now targeting a date Ottawa Sun LOADED: 05.26.2020 in early June for a transition to Phase 2. However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last,” the league wrote to the board of governors.

“We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties. To better inform our decision-making, after reviewing the attached Protocol, we would like to hear from clubs with respect to your ability to implement the required procedures and the estimated timing for your club to be in a position to open up your training facility.

“As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the players and club personnel is our top priority, and that will dictate how Phase 2, and any progression thereafter, may evolve. We again emphasize that player participation in Phase 2 is strictly voluntary. In addition, Clubs are not permitted to require players to return to the club’s home city so they can complete a quarantine requirement in time to participate in Phase 2.”

The league and the union have agreed to have 24 teams return in the summer to play for the Stanley Cup. It became official Friday night when the NHLPA’s executive committee voted 29-2 to accept the league’s proposal for a Return to Play and that means plans are now being made to open rinks as soon as possible.

“Phase 2 is an an important and necessary first step towards what we hope will be a resumption of the 2019-20 season,” Zavelo wrote. “We will shortly announce the early-June date on which Phase 2 will begin.

“Phase 2 will be followed by training camp (Phase 3) and finally by the Resumption of Play (Phase 4). We will update you about the timing of training camp as soon as we can.”

According to the memo, the rinks will open with a limit of six players at a time and this phase is completely voluntary and clubs are “prohibited from requiring players to participate in Phase 2 or to return to the club’s home city so they can complete a self-quarantine in order to take part in Phase 2.”

Players and the staff going to the arena will be tested two days before hand for COVID-19 and then there will regular testing “two times per week.”

Under the guidelines spelled out for the clubs, “players must remain six feet apart from other players and club staff. Where social distancing is impossible, players and staff must wear face masks (except players when exercising).”

On the ice, the players must remain six feet apart. There is to be no physical contact. Also, there’s very little access allowed by club personnel. Only a conditioning coach and athletic trainer are allowed to have access to the players and there are no coaches allowed on the ice during Phase 2. 1185260 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL releases plans for small-group workouts in early June; season could start in July

by Sam Carchidi,

NHL releases plans for small-group workouts in early June; season could start in July

As part of what it calls Phase 2 of its return-to-play policy, the NHL is hoping to start voluntary, small-group workouts at teams’ practice facilities in early June.

No exact date was set in a lengthy league memo sent to all teams and made public Monday. Only six players, maximum, would be allowed to be on the ice at the same time — and they would not be permitted to have contact.

No coaches will be permitted on the ice, but they can observe the players, according to the 22-page memo.

The memo said players must wear masks while entering and leaving their training facilities; they will not have to wear them on the ice or when exercising.

Players will be encouraged to shower at home and leave all workout clothes and equipment at their training facility for cleaning, according to the memo.

The memo also said it is not anticipating that isolated cases of the coronavirus would cause widespread quarantining of players during Phase 2.

If a player or staff member tests positive for the virus, the team will conduct contract tracing in conjunction with local health regulations.

The Flyers would practice at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, which is currently closed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The NHL suspended its season March 12 because of the virus.

Players would be tested for the coronavirus two days before they return to small-group sessions, and they would then be tested twice each week. In addition, their temperatures would be checked daily.

On Friday, the NHL Players’ Association, by a 29-2 vote, approved a 24- team tournament that would not have fans at games. The Flyers voted in favor of the plan, which would have play-in games followed by 16 teams competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

There are still issues that have to be resolved before the season can resume, including health and safety concerns, whether teams will be reseeded after play-in games, and the length of the first playoff series after the play-in round.

The final two phases of the return-to play plan: A three-week training camp (Phase 3), expected to begin in June, and the resumption of the season (Phase 4), expected to return in July.

When the season was paused, the Flyers had won nine of their last 10 games and had climbed into second place, one point behind Washington, in the Metropolitan Division. They were without injured players James van Riemsdyk and Phil Myers, each of whom is now available to play.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185261 Philadelphia Flyers club’s home market, in which event they will be eligible to enter the facility when Phase 2 begins).

Self-quarantine NHL releases detailed protocol for Phase 2 in potential step toward Before being allowed access to club facilities, players and permitted resuming 2019-20 season personnel may be required to serve a 14-day self-quarantine period imposed by local health authorities, regardless of their mode of travel (private or charter travel). By Jordan Hall May 25, 2020 1:55 PM Even if not imposed by the local health authorities, such individuals returning to the club’s home city by public transportation, including commercial air or rail travel, must serve a 14-day self-quarantine period An inside look at how Flyers have built 2019-20 turnaround post-travel before engaging in training activities at their club’s facility. With perspective from the players and head coach, let's take an inside If players and personnel departed this week for their respective club's look at how the Flyers have built their 2019-20 turnaround. By Jordan city, it would allow them access to the facility sometime in the second Hall week of June, if the league has decided to implement Phase 2. The NHL on Monday released a protocol for a potential Phase 2 in its Permitted activities hope to eventually resume the season and award the Stanley Cup. Six players are permitted inside the facility per session, while coaches Phase 2 would see players being allowed to return to team practice and hockey operations personnel will be allowed to observe "the player- facilities for voluntary small-group individualized training activities, only non-contact skates commencing on the later of the date on which whether it be on or off the ice. the commencement of training camp is announced by the League or two The NHL is targeting a date in early June for an implementation of Phase weeks after the club’s commencement of Phase 2 activities," the league 2, "however, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will stated. start or how long it may last," the league stated. Skating will consist of non-contact sessions with appropriate social The 2019-20 season was suspended on March 12 because of the distancing. coronavirus outbreak. The league is hoping to resume the season under When players are not participating in on-ice activities they will be a 24-team format, but specific details for such a scenario are to be permitted to utilize the club’s exercise and weight room equipment, or determined. receive individual treatment from the club’s medical/training staff: As for Phase 2, here is a section from the NHL's memorandum: • Weight training that does not include the need for a spotter We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s • Circuit-based activities such as resistance training markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties. • Cardiovascular exercises and endurance training

As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the players and club • Rehabilitation and treatment for players with ongoing disabling injuries personnel is our top priority, and that will dictate how Phase 2, and any and for players with non-disabling injuries, may be provided as directed progression thereafter, may evolve. We again emphasize that player by club medical/training staff participation in Phase 2 is strictly voluntary. In addition, clubs are not permitted to require players to return to the club’s home city so they can What's next? complete a quarantine requirement in time to participate in Phase 2. There is no firm date for Phase 2. But if the NHL implements it in early Clubs whose local health authorities would allow for the reopening of club June, it could allow for eventual training camps in late June and a facilities will be required to consult with and seek approval from the possible resumption of the season at some point in July. league prior to any reopening of club facilities. In those jurisdictions That roadmap is in complete theory. The situation will continue to be a which continue to restrict or prohibit such activity from occurring, and in day-to-day process for the NHL. Things can change and there are still order to address potential competitive concerns, the league will work with many obstacles but the detailed plan for Phase 2 is a potential step those clubs to facilitate alternative arrangements, if desired. Further, forward. clubs are required to comply with the public health mandates and recommended best practices of the CDC and/or Public Health Agency of June is when the Stanley Cup is typically awarded and the month in Canada (“Health Canada”) applicable to them and the facility in which which the NHL entry draft is normally held. The NHL will soon have Phase 2 activities are to take place, including any changes to such decisions to make on the date of the currently-postponed draft. There recommendations that may take place after the commencement of Phase could also be an announcement this week on the specifics of the 24- 2. team format. Here's how it could look for the Flyers.

Let's look at some of the key points from the league's memorandum, Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.26.2020 which you can read in full here.

Testing

Players and club personnel shall be administered laboratory-based RT- PCR tests 48 hours prior to anyone returning to their team's training facility. The testing "must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests," the league stated.

To determine if this will be feasible in each club’s local market, clubs shall engage with your local health authorit(ies) (as well as any other applicable health authorities such as state, provincial or federal) to determine whether asymptomatic players and other club personnel are eligible under applicable regulations and local conditions to receive PCR tests, either publicly or privately, provided that doing so does not take testing resources away from publicly necessary testing.

If testing is not available at the start of Phase 2, players who wish to participate in Phase 2 activities and “Player Access” club personnel must self-quarantine for 14 days prior to entering the facility (or, certify that they have already served a self-quarantine for the prior 14 days in the 1185262 Philadelphia Flyers The NHL and NBA seasons were stopped in mid-March, and the Major League Baseball season has been on hold after the coronavirus pandemic swept the nation, particularly New York, which has the most cases and death in the nation. NHL players to return to the ice in small groups in early June Cuomo said New York teams should be able to start practices in hopes of getting their seasons underway without fans.

John Connolly NorthJersey.com "I believe that sports that can come back without having people in the stadium, without having people in the arena, do it. Do it," Cuomo said

Sunday at his briefing at Jones Beach on Long Island. The National Hockey League and its players' union have reached an Courier-Post LOADED: 05.26.2020 agreement to return to the ice as restrictions begin to ease during the coronavirus pandemic.

The league announced it will reopen team facilities and begin training in June, at a date to be determined. Once open, six players will be allowed in a facility at one time. They will be wearing masks when not on the ice, according to the league.

The NHL released details of the "Phase 2" transition back to on-ice activities in a 20-plus page plan for teams on Monday.

Coronavirus: Pelotons, Rollerblades and yoga: How NHL players are staying in shape without the ice

"We are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2. However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last," the NHL stated.

The league stressed that players will not be forced to return to the team's home city and participation in these workouts is "strictly voluntary."

Team's medical personnel can also impose a 14-day quarantine on any personnel returning from "a high-risk environment."

The league's safety protocols will require daily temperature checks before entering a facility and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the facility after each workout session.

Stanley Cup playoffs in the works

The NHL players’ association also accepted the league’s proposal for a 24-team Stanley Cup playoff format through a vote that concluded Friday night.

It passed overwhelmingly with a 29-2 tally, according to TVA Sports, but the NHLPA issued a statement indicating "several details remain to be negotiated."

The makeshift tournament would feature 12 teams in each conference, with seeds based on points percentage and calculated using every team’s record at the time of the pause.

Which team has the best jerseys?: Presenting our NHL jersey power rankings

The top four seeds in each conference would automatically advance to the traditional round of 16, but seed Nos. 5 through 12 would have to play their way in.

Cuomo allows training in New York

On Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the go-ahead for teams in his state to begin training camps. 1185263 Pittsburgh Penguins Tribune Review LOADED: 05.26.2020

NHL aims to allow limited workouts in ‘early June’

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, May 25, 2020 1:28 p.m.

Note: CCPA compliance requires embedded widgets like Facebook, Twitter and inline videos be disabled in stories.

The NHL is getting closer to returning to play, albeit incrementally.

On Monday, the league issued a “Return to sport” memo that detailed the protocol in place for its second phase toward resuming play, which has been paused since March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league suggests the second phase could begin early next month:

The 22-page memo reads:

“Based on the current information available, we are now targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase 2. However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last. We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the Club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties. To better inform our decision-making, after reviewing the attached Protocol, we would like to hear from Clubs with respect to your ability to implement the required procedures and the estimated timing for your Club to be in a position to open up your training facility.”

In Phase 2, the league will allow clubs to reopen their training facilities and allow a maximum of six players plus a limited number of team staffers in order to train within jurisdictions that permit such gatherings.

In essence, players will be permitted to have optional skating sessions similar to the ones staged in late August before training camp, just with fewer players and far more rules, including:

• No contact will be permitted on the ice.

• Social or physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet will be required.

• Aside from on-ice or off-ice training, players will be required to wear a mask while in the facility.

• No coaches or other staffers are permitted on the ice.

• Off-ice activities are permitted, such as weight lifting (without a spotter) or resistance training, in the facilities.

• No players are permitted to skate at a public facility.

• The use of hot or cold tubs, saunas and steam rooms is not permitted during Phase 2.

• Only single-use beverages or food may be provided or consumed at the facilities. A team’s catering staff may provide pre-packaged meals for consumption at the player’s residence.

• All players and staffers must undergo “laboratory-based RT-PCR testing” 48 hours prior to the initial arrival at the facility.

• All players and staffers must undergo a symptom and temperature check on a daily basis.

• Prior to the start of Phase 2, each franchise’s chief medical director or head athletic trainer must conduct a meeting, remotely, with players and staffers on the coronavirus as well as all the protocol involved in this phase.

• Any player or staffer who develops symptoms (or lives with someone with symptoms) is required to alert team medical staffers immediately and begin self-isolation.

• Players are discouraged from carpooling or using public transportation.

• Players from other teams who live within proximity of a facility may take the ice as well provided that host team permits it.

The memo specifically mentions media, player agents, massage therapists, chiropractors, player performance personnel, players’ family and “any other person(s)” as being barred from facilities during Phase 2. 1185264 Pittsburgh Penguins When everyone is able-bodied, that trio has a blend of skill, speed and combativeness to make it an effective third line in the modern NHL.

McCann would be due a tidy raise and a contract with some term based Penguins A to Z: Few players are as useful as Jared McCann on how he’s performed for the Penguins during his year-plus in Pittsburgh. But these aren’t normal times given how the NHL’s economics from this hiatus will impact the salary cap.

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, May 25, 2020 10:34 a.m. With the Penguins having to address goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray, also pending restricted free agents, this upcoming offseason,

McCann’s status will be on the back burner when it comes to the Note: CCPA compliance requires embedded widgets like Facebook, organization’s offseason priorities. Twitter and inline videos be disabled in stories. Regardless, McCann always will be a player the Penguins, or any other While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, NHL team, will find useful. the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at Tribune Review LOADED: 05.26.2020 all 55 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid- level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker.

Jared McCann

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Age: 23

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 185 pounds

2019-20 NHL statistics: 66 games, 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists)

Contract: Second year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $1.25 million. Pending restricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Acquired: Trade, Feb. 1, 2019

This season: Jared McCann never will be the Penguins’ most valuable player. Not as long as Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin are drawing pay checks from the organization.

But he might be their most useful.

During a season in which the Penguins had seemingly every aspect of their lineup impacted by an injury of some sort, few players found themselves being asked to fill different roles as regularly as the versatile McCann.

First-line left wing? Deal.

Second-line center? No problem.

Third-line left winger? Gotcha.

Take the draw on the power play? Sure.

First over the boards for a penalty kill? Yup.

That type of versatility is nothing new for this group. General manager Jim Rutherford always has valued forwards who can play a position or two. And Bryan Rust long ago cornered the market on that type of malleability. But he’s almost exclusively a right winger to Malkin these days.

McCann rarely has been deployed in a regular role throughout most of 2019-20. That is what has made him so valuable to the Penguins and their pockmarked lineup.

That said, it would be a stretch to suggest McCann has made the most of the skillset that made him a first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks (No. 24 overall) in 2014.

Blessed with heavy wrister, McCann appeared sure to break the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career by the midway point of the season. But by the time the NHL halted play in mid-March, he had gone 22 consecutive games with out a goal. And much of that stretch came on a line with either Crosby or Malkin.

At the time of the NHL’s hiatus, McCann was being asked to center the team’s third line as well as the second power-play unit.

The future: Assuming the season resumes, McCann likely will be placed on the left wing with Nick Bjugstad at center and Patric Hornqvist on right wing. Management has had designs on that being a trio since training camp, but those hopes have been derailed, largely because of Bjugstad’s injuries. 1185265 Pittsburgh Penguins

Relive Penguins’ 1st Stanley Cup from May 25, 1991

Mike PalmMIKE PALM | Monday, May 25, 2020 10:33 a.m.

Note: CCPA compliance requires embedded widgets like Facebook, Twitter and inline videos be disabled in stories.

Not much may be happening in the hockey world at the moment, so you might as well celebrate the 29th anniversary (props to the ol’ two niner, Phil Bourque) of the Penguins’ first Stanley Cup.

On May 25, 1991, the Penguins stormed past the Minnesota North Stars, 8-0, in Bloomington, Minn. Mario Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

You can watch the full game here:

If you just want to see the goals:

For more, you can check out an abridged oral history of the 1990-91 Penguins here.

And for Q&As with players and management from the 1990-91 Penguins team, conducted in 2010-11:

= Phil Bourque

= Scotty Bowman

= Rob Brown

= Jay Caufield

= Paul Coffey

= John Cullen

= Chris Dahlquist

= Gord Dineen

= Bob Errey

= Randy Gilhen

= Jiri Hrdina

= Grant Jennings

= Jim Johnson

= Jim Paek

= Joe Mullen

= Barry Pederson

= Frank Pietrangelo

= Bruce Racine

= Gordie Roberts

= Ulf Samuelsson

= Paul Stanton

= Kevin Stevens

= Peter Taglianetti

= Bryan Trottier

= Scott Young

= Wendell Young

= Zarley Zalapski

Tribune Review LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185266 Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL issues ‘Phase 2’ guidelines of return-to-play efforts

Matt Vensel

Expecting to permit its players to return to team facilities in the coming weeks, the NHL on Monday issued a 21-page memo to its teams and players laying out guidelines that will be in place for Phase 2 of the return-to-play protocol.

In Phase 2, which the memo said will be “strictly voluntary,” players will be allowed to skate in small groups. The vast majority of players have not been on the ice since the season was suspended March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines would allow for a maximum of six players at a time to train at the team facility. On-ice workouts would be for players only, so no coaches or team personnel will be allowed on the ice, though they can observe in person.

The memo said goalies will be allowed to hire an independent goalie coach to work with on a one-on-one basis. That coach cannot be a team employee.

Players must wear face coverings, except when skating or exercising off ice.

If tests are available in their city, players and club personnel will be required to be tested for the coronavirus 48 before returning to the team facility. If not, they must prove they self-quarantined in that city for at least two weeks.

After that, if possible, they would then be tested twice a week going forward.

“As an overriding principle, testing of asymptomatic players and club personnel must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests,” stressed the NHL, with testing limited in some areas.

The guidelines also said players and club personnel must “record symptoms and conduct temperature checks” daily, before arriving at a team facility.

If you want to spend Memorial Day reading the full memo, here you go.

According to the memo, players who currently live in an NHL market who don’t play for that team will be allowed to skate and work out at that facility. That is noteworthy as it relates to the Penguins because, for example, Nick Bjugstad and Jason Zucker both returned to Minnesota after hockey was halted.

The memo didn’t give an exact date on when Phase 2 will begin, only that the NHL is targeting early June. The NHL will continue to “monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate.”

That last part is significant, because on April 29 the NHL and the NHLPA in a joint statement said their hope was to begin Phase 2 in “the mid-to- later portion of May.” Obviously, that timeline proved to be at least a little optimistic.

The league also gave no indication in Monday’s memo of how long Phase 2 would go on. Phase 3 would be full-team training camps. Phase 4 is the games, and there is a lot that must still be figured out before things progress to that point.

At least we have a good idea of what the playoff bracket would look like. Friday, the NHLPA’s executive board voted to move forward with a 24- team playoff that begins with 16 teams playing a five-game play-in round. Through their player rep, 29 of 31 teams, including the Penguins, approved that framework.

Under that format, the Penguins open against the Montreal Canadiens.

Post Gazette LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185267 San Jose Sharks That early-2000s group probably had the best core to never win it all, with the 2001 team probably making the best case to get the nod here. But the “winner” in this case is the 1990 A’s. For whatever reason, they couldn’t solve José Rijo or the “Nasty Boys” in a World Series in which The best Bay Area teams that fell short of winning a title overconfidence could’ve been their downfall. It’s difficult to describe just how dominant that A’s team was from top to bottom (Bob Welch went 27-

6 and probably wasn’t even the A’s second-best pitcher), and for the By Steve Berman May 25, 2020 Reds to pounce on them at Riverfront and finish the job at the Coliseum was absolutely shocking.

Best non-title team: 1990 Watching bad teams can be excruciating. But as time passes, their seasons turn into fodder for comic relief. Or even a tool for fans to prove 49ers their loyalty. Remembering players such as Vonteego Cummings, J.T. Simply too many heartbreaks from which to choose. The 1948 team, led O’Sullivan or Johnnie LeMaster becomes something like a badge of by quarterback Frankie Albert’s 29 touchdown passes, deserves a shout- honor. A way to separate the “real” fans from those enjoying a brief out. It went 12-2 and finished with a point differential of +247 in 14 games bandwagon ride. — just one point fewer than the 1984 squad that went 15-1. Each of the The very good or great teams that come close to winning it all, but don’t 49ers’ wins in ’48 came by double-digits, but there was a problem. They quite get there, cause pain in wholly different ways. They’re wildly fun to lost twice to Paul Brown’s Browns, who captured the AAFC crown with a watch for several months. But the pain when they fall short feels sharper 49-7 win over the Bills in the title game. and lingers longer than the dull ache one experiences while watching a But I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that most of you reading bad team. this don’t remember the 1948 49ers all that well. So let’s venture into the Let’s set the record straight from the jump. We’re not here to twist any modern era, when the 49ers won five championships but suffered just as knives. No one needs that, especially now. The point of this is not to many painful playoff defeats in the span of less than a decade. wallow in the memories of that game ball handed to Russ Ortiz, Derek The 1987 season was strange, with the players’ strike taking place during Jeter’s flip, the fade passes to Michael Crabtree, the chase-down block the middle weeks. But the 49ers looked like they were on their way with by LeBron James, Roger Craig’s fumble that was and Tom Brady’s wins by 14, 14, 11, 41, 28 and 48 points to end the regular season. They fumble that wasn’t. No, this is an opportunity to celebrate the teams that had arguably the best two quarterbacks in football. Then they got drilled haven’t gotten their due because the taste with which they left us was too by Anthony Carter and an 8-7 Vikings team in the divisional round, which bitter. And perhaps celebrating each local professional franchise’s best led to the entire operation nearly combusting when Eddie DeBartolo non-title team can promote a little healing, all these years later. came very, very close to firing Bill Walsh. A’s The 1990 team probably should’ve made it to a third consecutive Super A franchise that hasn’t won it all since 1989, yet has remained Bowl. But their only weakness, a meager rushing attack, came back to competitive more often than not, produces several candidates. But three bite them in the playoffs (just 85 yards in two games). The 49ers were stand above the rest. the second-best team in the NFL in 1992 and 1993, but no one left those seasons feeling like they got robbed in NFC Championship Game losses No one thought the Dodgers had a chance in the 1988 World Series after to the Cowboys. Their lack of offensive balance hurt them again in 1995 the A’s went 104-58 and swept the Red Sox in the ALCS. That is, until when they led the NFL in point differential (+199) but were too one- Kirk Gibson yanked Dennis Eckersley’s backdoor slider into the right-field dimensional offensively to beat the Packers in the divisional round. Steve bleachers to walk off with a win in Game 1. But the 1990 team’s demise Young completed 32 of 65 passes that day with two interceptions and no in the World Series, where the A’s got swept by the Reds, was arguably touchdowns, while Derek Loville rushed eight times for five yards. more unexplainable. So let’s go with the first of those teams we mentioned over that often The 1988 A’s didn’t have Rickey Henderson, who was then with the glorious, yet also frequently frustrating nine-season stretch. The 1987 Yankees. But in 1990, he led the A’s in WAR with 9.9 and slashed 49ers ranked first in the league in points, yards and yards allowed. They .325/.439/.577 while winning the MVP award. Eckersley also had his best led the league in rushing and finished second in passing, first in passing season as a closer, finishing with simply ludicrous numbers (0.61 ERA, touchdowns and yards per attempt. Jerry Rice had 22 touchdowns … in 1.34 FIP, two home runs and four walks allowed). 12 games. To go along with Rice being completely unstoppable, they also had the best quarterback (Joe Montana), safety (Ronnie Lott) and But at least those years sandwiched a title season in 1989. The early- nose tackle (Michael Carter) in the league. Their quick playoff exit 2000s A’s that somehow finished four consecutive seasons with Game 5 remains one of the strangest things that happened during that era. defeats in the ALDS (which probably broke the spirit of many an A’s fan, something that still affects the team to this day), deserve mention. Best non-title team: 1987

• It wasn’t quite as devastating at first when the A’s fell in five games to Giants the Yankees in 2000. That A’s team was so young — Barry Zito was just a rookie, and Mark Mulder wasn’t Mark Mulder yet. The future was bright. Up until 2010, the teams under consideration for this piece caused more pain for Giants fans than every other Bay Area also-ran combined. • The 2001 A’s won 102 games, but thanks to a run differential of +239 they had an even higher Pythagorean win-loss record of 104-58. There’s The 1962 team came about as close as possible to winning one of the a reason A’s fans still haven’t forgiven Jeremy Giambi for not sliding (or most memorable World Series ever, losing 1-0 on Willie McCovey’s Kerwin Danley for calling him out). It was also the last season in Oakland lineout to Bobby Richardson with Willie Mays on second and Matty Alou for Jeremy’s older brother, Jason, who signed with the Yankees in the on third in Game 7. offseason. BASEBALL GREAT WILLIE MCCOVEY WILL FOREVER BE LINKED • The 2002 A’s lost a little bit of their offensive potency, scoring 800 runs TO A SERIES OF FAMOUS PEANUTS COMICS DRAWN BY CHARLES compared to 884 the year before and 947 in 2000. They also won 20 SCHULZ. LEARN WHY IN OUR TRIBUTE TO THE #SFGIANTS consecutive games and became the subject of a bestselling book and hit LEGEND, WHO DIED YESTERDAY: HTTPS://T.CO/THLHTSEX6J movie, and ended their season with a 5-4 loss to the Twins with a man #SABR @SNOOPY #WORLDSERIES on first after their ninth-inning rally fell just short. PIC.TWITTER.COM/VISNDVBXCM

• By 2003, the A’s had become a pitching-first team, leading the league in — SABR (@SABR) NOVEMBER 1, 2018 ERA, hits and home runs allowed, and complete games (Mulder had nine The 1993 team holds a special place in my heart because that season that year). That was enough to carry a below-average offense to 96 wins had everything. The Giants were on their way to Tampa, then stayed in in the regular season, but the A’s found yet another soul-crushing way to San Francisco thanks to some help from MLB and the ownership group lose in the ALDS, this time losing the final three games to the Red Sox led by Peter Magowan. Next thing we knew, they suddenly had Barry after jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Bonds. And that regular season was enthralling up until Dusty Baker chose a certain rookie to start game No. 162. It also didn’t help that the Padres donated Fred McGriff to the Braves in the middle of the season or Best non-title team: 2006-07 that the expansion Rockies went 0-13 against those same Braves, who finished one game ahead of the Giants in the NL West. Warriors

Then there’s that 2002 team, which convinced everyone with its Game 6 The last franchise on the list leads us to the easiest choice by far. loss to the Angels (and inevitable Game 7 failure) that the Giants would Generally, the Warriors have been either awful or elite, without much in never win a championship on the West Coast. But while Bonds was in between. And most of their great seasons since moving west have ended another stratosphere at the time, and Jeff Kent was a fantastic Pippen to in championships … except on two occasions. Bonds’ Jordan, the 2002 team’s starting staff wasn’t quite as impressive The first was in 1975-76, when the Warriors looked to repeat with an as the ones that captured three titles in the following decade. even better team than the season before, at least statistically. Their net It’s tough to go against the Giants team that came even closer to winning rating that year was +6.1, fifth-highest in franchise history (even slightly a World Series than it did in 2002. Especially when that team had the ahead of the 2017-18 team). They went 59-23, led the NBA in scoring, highest run differential (+188) of the trio listed here, and featured five Hall and finished fourth in points allowed. Phil Smith was every bit Rick of Famers. The Giants would remain relevant throughout the 1960s and Barry’s equal that season, but despite a 3-2 lead in the Western into the early-’70s, but could never get past the Dodgers and Cardinals, Conference finals, the Warriors fell to a Suns team that went 42-40 and then the Reds and Pirates. That 1962 World Series was their shot, during the regular season. and Charlie Brown knew it. “We felt like we were gonna get our second championship,” Clifford Ray Best non-title team: 1962 told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in 2015. “We thought we had enough firepower, enough personnel to get it done, and we fell short. So Raiders of course it was devastating. I still remember it like it was yesterday.”

It’s hard to argue that the 2002 team really fits here since the Raiders Yet that failure to capitalize doesn’t really compare with what the 2015-16 were so thoroughly outclassed by Jon Gruden’s Buccaneers in the Super team went through against the Cavaliers. Were they the best team from Bowl. But the 2000 team was really good and ran into the Patriots (and that dynastic era? Not quite. Even though they went 73-9, the 2016-17 the NFL rulebook) at exactly the wrong time in the “Tuck Rule” loss in team with Kevin Durant is on the “best of all-time” shortlist with one or Foxboro. two 1990s Bulls squads and the 1986 Celtics. And whether it was due to fatigue from their record-breaking regular season, or the knee injury But if we look further back, the Raiders had some teams that were even Stephen Curry suffered in the first round against the Rockets, they got to greater. The 1967 Raiders went 13-1 and were easily the best team in the Finals that season due more to guts and guile than sheer dominance. the AFL, but turned it over three times against the NFL’s Packers in But once there, they had that series under control — or so we thought. Super Bowl II. The 1968 Raiders were nearly as good (+220 point differential), but fell 27-23 to Joe Namath’s Jets in the AFL title game I remember talking to Ethan Strauss in the Quicken Loans Arena media despite 401 yards from Daryle Lamonica. John Madden replaced John room after Game 4 until after 2 a.m., with neither one of us thinking the Rauch as head coach in 1969, but the Raiders once again lost the AFL series had a chance to last longer than one more game. Then Draymond Championship Game, this time 17-7 to the Chiefs at the Coliseum. Green got suspended two days later, James went on an epic two-game tear, and he and Kyrie Irving pulled off the unthinkable in Game 7. The How does one choose the best out of those three? The 1967 team had Warriors went into that season on a mission that led to their 24-0 start. six All-Pros, and the 1968 and 1969 teams each had seven. To settle Then they finished that season the subject of a cruel meme. Good luck this, we’ll go by point differential. The 1967 team’s (+235) was the best in getting another elite NBA team to care that much about the regular franchise history and they were the only Raiders team to win an AFL title. season after the 2015-16 Warriors endured such a brutal fate, but history Best non-title team: 1967 may end up being kinder to that group than social media was after they blew that 3-1 lead. Sharks Best non-title team: 2015-16 Ask a Sharks fan which non-title team was the best, and he or she could laugh and say, “All of them?” The Sharks have made it to the playoffs in The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 75 percent of their 28 seasons and are still waiting for their first Stanley Cup. So choosing the best team to fall short is nearly impossible. There are so many good candidates and so little to differentiate them.

The easy answer would be the 2015-16 team, the only Sharks squad to make it to the Finals, where they lost to the Penguins in six. But eight Sharks teams have more wins than that group, which went 46-30-6, and 12 Sharks teams finished with more regular-season points. The 2015-16 postseason run was easily the most fruitful, but it was impossible after watching the Penguins play to claim that the Sharks were the best team in the NHL that season.

To locate the most dominant Sharks squad, one probably has to look back to the latter half of the 2000s when Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau were in their primes, guys like Jonathan Cheechoo, Douglas Murray and Ryane Clowe were solid performers, Joe Pavelski and Marc Edouard-Vlasic were ascending, and Evgeni Nabokov was in net.

The 2006-07 team finished second to the eventual champion Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division, but its +59 goal differential was the highest in franchise history. That was no consolation when they lost in six games to the Red Wings in the conference semifinals, of course. The 2007-08 team, which wasn’t quite as superb with a +29 goal differential, also lost in the second round, getting eliminated in an epic four-overtime Game 6 against the Stars. The 2008-09 team seemed to be the one that would finally hoist the Cup after winning the President’s Trophy — until the Ducks knocked them out in the first round. Undeterred, the Sharks took the Pacific Division again in 2009-10, only to get swept in the conference finals by the Blackhawks.

Choosing the best team out of this group is nearly impossible. A total coin-flip. But it seems like the most explosive one of the group was the squad with the best goal differential, partly because Thornton finished the 2006-07 season with 114 points, the most of his Sharks tenure. 1185268 St Louis Blues As part of Phase 2 protocol, there is a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine period required for players returning to St. Louis via public transportation.

Players are asked to avoid carpooling if they drive back to St. Louis. If NHL gives green light for teams to begin small-group workouts in early carpooling occurs, the team has the option of requiring a 14-day June quarantine once the players arrive here.

Additionally, team medical personnel have the discretion to impose a 14- day quarantine if players are returning to St. Louis from high-risk areas. Jim Thomas And of course, any local health mandates would override any league guidelines.

The NHL has taken another step toward returning to play with the There is another option for those wishing to participate in Phase 2. announcement Monday of protocols to begin small-group workouts in Players from other clubs can have access to another team’s facility if early June. they live in that town. For example, that would allow St. Louisan Pat Maroon — the former Blue now with the Tampa Bay Lightning — to work A maximum of six players at one time will be allowed to take part in the out at the Blues’ facility. voluntary workouts at team facilities, in what the league is calling Phase 2 of its return to play framework. The memo stresses that testing for asymptomatic players in Phase 2 must not be done at the expense of testing for “health-care workers, Only one athletic trainer and one conditioning coach will be allowed in the vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals” in each NHL facility for these workouts; otherwise no members of the coaching staff market. will be involved. There are a few other exceptions, including having one equipment manager. And a week into their initial access to the team Echoing comments made earlier by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly facility, goalies will be allowed to have an independent goalie coach (one in the general context of a return to play, the 22-page memo states that not employed by the team). it’s “not anticipated that isolated cases of COVID-19 would necessitate wide-scale quarantine of a club” during Phase 2. Among those not allowed in the facility are members of the media, player agents, massage therapists and relatives of players. Once the players arrive at a team facility, there are all kinds of guidelines and restrictions on activities. For starters, no contact is permitted on the In a 22-page memo — the last seven of which detailed cleaning and ice. If players are using the weight room, no spotter is allowed. Players disinfectant requirements — the NHL did not specify exactly when Phase are encouraged to shower at home whenever possible. 2 would start or how long it would last. And to limit the potential for exposure to the virus, players must stay in But if all goes well, Phase 2 would be followed by full-squad training the same small group throughout Phase 2. A player can’t jump to a camp and then the resumption of play. The NHL Players Association different group of players once he begins training at the team facility. agreed on the framework of a 24-team postseason format Friday night, with the league expected to make a formal announcement on that format Each team will appoint a facility hygiene officer to oversee the program. this week. Penalties for a violation or lack of compliance with guidelines include fines, loss of draft picks, or ineligibility to participate in Phase 2. Players will be tested for COVID-19 two days before beginning Phase 2, then will be tested twice a week thereafter. Additionally, they will undergo St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.26.2020 daily temperature readings and be checked daily for any COVID-19 symptoms.

Social distancing of six feet must be maintained while in the facility, and masks must be worn while entering and leaving the building, while moving through heavily trafficked areas of the building and when social distancing is not possible. An exception to the mask rule is when players are exercising, either on or off the ice.

“The health of player and club personnel is the league’s top priority as it relates to adoption of preventative measures to help protect against contraction of COVID-19, as well as procedures regarding detection of infection and transmission of COVID-19,” the memo stated.

But it also cautioned that: “This protocol, while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk.”

The NHL has been in a self-quarantine mode due to the coronavirus pandemic since suspending play March 12 — or 75 days ago as of Memorial Day. The imminent start of the small-group voluntary workouts marks an important first step in completing the 2019-20 season, particularly when it comes to giving almost every player his first ice time since March 11, when the last games were played.

One look at the 22-page memo provides an indication of the time and preparation that went into implementing a Phase 2 framework, and how much more needs to be done before actual games can be played.

When the NHL initially paused its season in March, the vast majority of Blues players remained in St. Louis. But once it became clear that the suspension of play wouldn’t be a short-term thing, more and more players returned to their home cities.

For example, defensemen Vince Dunn and Marco Scandella and forwards Sammy Blais and Mackenzie MacEachern all began the self- quarantine period in St. Louis before returning home several weeks later. For Scandella and Blais, “home” is the province of Quebec in Canada. Dunn went back to Toronto and MacEachern to Michigan.

So the first step for them and other out-of-town Blues planning to participate in the voluntary Phase 2 workouts is getting back to St. Louis. 1185269 St Louis Blues meetings, SLU coaches and administrators have made a point to educate athletes about handling stress.

Another issue is athletes unable to get to the gym for their routines — 'You're not alone' — no shame in mental stress for athletes, especially “working out is a clear coping strategy for a lot of our students,” Oberle during pandemic said. “So adding a lot more stress and strain on, and then taking away one of the key things that they have as an outlet? It’s difficult. …

“And I think for some of our students, they’re not just managing their own Benjamin Hochman stress and strain. At home, now they’re managing the stress and strain of their younger siblings trying to get home-schooled, or of a grandparent

who lives in the home or if their parents lose a job. I mean, I think the Fifteen falls ago, a college football team played 11 games in 11 different quantity of mental health stressors (has grown).” cities, because its city, like the team itself, was drowning. That 2005 Tulane team was supposed to be pretty good. The team Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005. A deluge of finished 2-9. Being a college athlete is stressful enough — then to have a floodwater overtook the campus and the city. Many players and coaches historic storm uproot you from your normal? And to play a season, while lost their homes. But Tulane University’s football team still played its uprooted and based at Louisiana Tech, 300 miles away from New season. The emotional toll on these players and coaches — the mental Orleans, and also travel for the weekend games? stress and fatigue — was like another overwhelming storm, this one “Losing (stinks), definitely,” Tulane’s top receiver, Preston Brown, said at invisible. season’s end. “But in my mind, we’re always going to be champions for I think about those players occasionally — I was a reporter covering the even being able to endure all this and go through the season — team for the New Orleans newspaper. And I’ve thought about them a lot honestly.” during this pandemic — so many current athletes, all at once, dealing The athletes of 2020 will become champions of endurance, even if they with mental health issues they didn’t anticipate. And for some athletes, don’t play one game. But right now, many of them are enduring that this is in addition to mental health issues already part of their makeup. invisible storm. For people in the sports world — and, really, the world world — the St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.26.2020 stress from seasons ceased and dreams derailed and futures uncertain and a virus looming can be too much for one person to psychologically navigate. This is the time to encourage people to seek help. To encourage courage. This is not the time for people to fall back on stigmas about being “weak” for dealing with mental things. This is not the time to make someone feel bad about seeking psychological help. This is not the time to suppress feelings. These are unprecedented times. Give yourself a break. And be there for those who need a break.

“You get your ankle taped because it’s a little weaker, not because you aren’t a strong person, but because your ankle needs some help,” said Janet Oberle, St. Louis University’s senior associate athletic director who oversees student-athlete wellness. “So, if your brain needs help, get some help, and it’s no big deal.”

At SLU, just like at Mizzou and other institutions, resources are available for athletes, be it someone to talk to or videos detailing coping mechanisms for mental stress.

“I think what was interesting with this (pandemic), we weren’t as able to predict what the issues might be,” Oberle said. “And then you had students who really couldn’t even predict what they were struggling with. …

“One of the most important things that we can tell you is that we care about you. We tell our students that so constantly, that you’re not alone, and that we care about you. And that if you need something, we’re here to help you. And I think that feels very different (than from previous generations). But I think from a mental health standpoint, that there’s nothing more important that we do than to tell people that they’re not alone.”

During these coronavirus times, high-profile athletes such as Michael Phelps and Kevin Love have spoken publicly and unashamedly about dealing with depression, about talking to counselors or doctors or the listeners in their lives. From little leaguers to big leaguers, stress is stress. And to have a pandemic shut down the sports world means so many people are dealing with so many different things, the one common denominator being that it’s all tough stuff.

There’s the runner who trained for a marathon that was canceled, the college basketball player who didn’t get to play in the NCAA Tournament, the NHL player whose team was in first place and playing great. The high school senior who played a spring sport, and worked hard throughout the summer and fall of 2019, into the winter and early spring of 2020 … just to face the realization that their final game had already occurred, almost a year ago as a junior.

At SLU, Oberle and her colleagues work tirelessly to provide resources for athletes. There have been hurdles. Some Billiken athletes have moved back to multi-generational homes where mental health has a stigma. Whereas on campus, the athlete took advantage of talking out feelings, at home “those barriers go up,” Oberle said. During team Zoom 1185270 St Louis Blues screams from coach Scotty Bowman, but Hall, who had the locker next to him, always provided encouragement.

But the real bond between Ecclestone and Hall was forged on the team After hockey, original Blue Ecclestone found his calling in food bus.

“I had only been there for a little while and I tried to bury myself in the right-hand back corner of the bus,” Ecclestone said. “Glenn gets on the Tom Timmermann bus and says, ‘Young fella, there are two things that are always the same: when we get on the team bus, the driver sits up there and I sit

back here.’ So I get up and move out of that seat and move to the center. In 1980, the Atlanta Flames were in the process of becoming the Calgary The bus is off to the airport and he reaches down and grabs himself a Flames and general manager Cliff Fletcher asked assistant coach Tim beer and he’s sipping on a beer as we head up the highway. I say, ‘Mr. Ecclestone about making the move with the team. Hall, do you have an extra one?’ He reaches down, gets me a beer and says, ‘Don’t ever let that happen again.’ He had four beers and he Fletcher told him that, the way the coaching carousel went in the NHL, needed them to get to the airport. From then on, I brought my own Ecclestone, an original Blue, could be the head coach in a year or so. At beers.” that point, Ecclestone’s family was settled in Atlanta, where he had played for four seasons and he also had started a restaurant. The story doesn’t end there though. Hall had decided that the 1970-71 season would be his last and when he told Ecclestone, the forward made “I went back and forth,” Ecclestone said, “and said, ‘Listen, if I get into a request. that game, it will be the same old thing. You’re hired to be fired. I’ll be taking my kids all over the country.’ I chose to stay here. … I saw “I said, ‘If you’re going to do that, will you cede the seat in the back of the (Fletcher) a while later he said, ‘You’re the only guy that ever turned me bus to me?’ ” Ecclestone said. “We were in a bar, having a few beers and down.’ It wasn’t my lifestyle.” I gave him a napkin and a pen and he wrote, ‘To my fellow teammates, I hereby bequeath my seat in the back of the bus to my fellow teammate, Forty years later, Tim Ecclestone, who was an NHL rookie with the Blues No. 14, Tim Ecclestone. (Signed) Glenn Hall.’ ” in the team’s rookie season, is still in Atlanta, and up until a few weeks ago, he was still running a restaurant. He would have loved to keep his Over the years, Ecclestone lost track of the napkin, but his wife Sue place, TJ’s, going, but his landlord apparently has other plans for the contacted Hall’s wife, Pauline, and got Hall to recreate it. It’s now property and didn’t renew his lease. So for the time being, Ecclestone, mounted in a frame along with pictures of Ecclestone and Hall and hangs 72, has some time on his hands. in his basement. It’s the first thing he sees every time he goes down.

“All good things come to a close,” Ecclestone said. “I’ve got mixed “That’s my favorite,” he said. emotions. The staff was with me so long. My bartender was with me for St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 05.26.2020 30 years. I’ll take a break and when the smoke clears, a lot of restaurants won’t open. If something won’t open and we can get a place, my son (Mark) and I will get back into it. In the meantime, I’ll take the summer off.”

It will be a rare break for Ecclestone, who has known two things in his life: hockey and restaurants. He played 11 seasons in the NHL, breaking in when he was 20, and then spent 41 years in restaurants, first with a nightspot called Timothy John’s and then with a sports bar TJ’s. It was the regular meeting spot for Packers fans and for Auburn fans in Atlanta and a regular hangout for motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, a friend of Ecclestone’s, whenever he was in Atlanta.

“I knew my time (in the NHL) was coming to an end, that I had a couple more years,” Ecclestone said. “A friend of mine had a bar and I got in with him. I guess during my career I’d been in every bar all over the country so I’ve got some ideas here and there. I didn’t go to college and even today, I probably could turn on a computer, but operate one? No chance. But I’m pretty good with people.

“I paid the price for a while. The restaurant business is tough. It was not smooth sailing. I hit speed bumps but survived. I was in one location for 30 years. People come to me and say you’re lucky to own your own business. That’s not how it is. My business owns me. I don’t own it. But looking back on it, it was a pretty good run.”

Ecclestone is an original Blue in that he was acquired by the Blues on the day of the expansion draft in 1967, coming along with Bobby Plager, Gary Sabourin and Gord Kannegiesser from the Rangers, who traded to get back Rod Seiling, who the Blues had drafted. But Ecclestone didn’t make the opening day roster. He came to the Blues straight from juniors, and he started the season with their Kansas City farm team. He played 13 games there before getting called up when the Blues had some injuries and needed someone for an East Coast trip and he never went back. Ecclestone, a left wing who could play any forward position, played four seasons with the Blues, with 48 goals and 76 assists in 230 games before being traded, along with Red Berenson, to Detroit for Garry Unger and Wayne Connelly. Later he played for Toronto and Atlanta. But none of those teams were as successful as those Blues teams were, going to the Stanley Cup Final their first three seasons.

“It was a special time back in those days,” he said. “The city embraced the Blues. It was a fun, fun place to play in.”

Ecclestone was the youngster on that first team, but he was taken under the wings of some of the Blues’ most notable players on those early teams, particularly goalie Glenn Hall. Ecclestone was a regular source of 1185271 Toronto Maple Leafs “I think there’s probably a happy medium between the two,” Malenstyn said. “You definitely don’t just want to close the door on your family in a time like this. But it’s also you have to look at it if we were going to take that step to go back and play, it’s the safety of your family to probably not Isolating away from family a ‘hot topic’ as NHL plots return have them around, either, just with the exposure to everything.”

Added Demko, the Vancouver goalie: “I think everyone’s going to have to make a sacrifice: players, owners, union. I don’t think that there is a By Stephen WhynoThe Associated Press scenario where everyone’s going to be happy with the situation.”

Toronto Star LOADED: 05.26.2020 Young and single, Thatcher Demko has plenty of time on his hands, with little to do. Quarantining to play hockey wouldn’t be a problem for the Vancouver Canucks goalie.

“I don’t have too many roots,” the 24-year-old said. “I’ve been living pretty much out of my car for the most part for the last six, seven years just going from place to place.”

Older players disagree.

From Dubnyk and Rask in the NHL to Major League Baseball players Mike Trout and Ryan Zimmerman, pro athletes have voiced concerns about spending significant time away from family. When baseball was considering a containment bubble in Arizona to play, Zimmerman — whose wife is due to give birth to the couple’s third child in June — said he wouldn’t accept not seeing them for four or five months.

“I can tell you right now that’s not going to happen,” Zimmerman said. “Not many people have to go through that, nor should they.”

The NHL, like the NBA, does not face the challenge of trying to complete an entire season. But even an abbreviated return calls for co-ordinating 600-plus players at different stages of their personal lives.

“I think it’d be easier for guys without families or single guys to kind of go on quarantine and enjoy that process as much as you can,” Nashville defenceman Ryan Ellis said. “But it would be tough being a father myself. It would be tough to live through FaceTime in that situation. But you have to weigh the pros and cons on each side and what’s important for you and your family.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said league officials are “sensitive to the issue and are focused on finding a solution that works for the players.”

New Jersey’s Connor Carrick, whose Devils might be off until the start of next season, said he trusts NHLPA executive director Don Fehr and his staff to make a decision in the best interest of as many players as possible. Those waiting on the possibility of playing, like Washington’s Beck Malenstyn, hope there’s a resolution that weighs isolation from family members against the risk of them getting infected. 1185272 Toronto Maple Leafs Players who live in NHL markets other than where they play will be permitted to use local facilities, pending availability, meaning they won’t have to travel back to their team’s home cities for Phase 2.

Only six players will be allowed in team facilities at one time for the Most NHL players have not been on the ice since the league halted its voluntary workouts, and no on-ice coaching or instruction will be schedule, although some, including a number of Swedish players who permitted during Phase 2. returned home, have been skating in recent weeks.

The league said any player or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms during Phase 2, including cough, shortness of breath, chest By Joshua Clipperton The Canadian Press pain, fever/chills, muscle pain (not exercise-related), loss of smell or taste, cold-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms are expected to

immediately notify medical officials and self-isolate. The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon — with If a COVID-19 test comes back positive, the player/staff member’s team plenty of precautions. will conduct contract tracing in conjunction with local health regulations. The league, which was forced to pause its season March 12 because of Apart from laying out the groundwork for Phase 2 and continuing the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo Monday announcing it’s discussions on the 24-team format, plenty of other hurdles remain for the targeting early next month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to- NHL and the NHLPA before the games will be allowed to resume. play protocol, including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice. Should the NHL return sometime this summer, it’s almost certain teams will be clustered in hub cities across North America — Vancouver, “It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how Edmonton, Toronto and Las Vegas are believed to be in the mix — with long it may last,” the memo read. “We are continuing to monitor games being held in empty arenas. developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.” The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893, save for 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak, and 2005 when a lockout led The NHL, which has worked closely with the NHL Players’ Association on to the cancellation of the entire campaign. the phased approach, said that while it views the protocol as “very comprehensive ... (it) cannot mitigate all risk.” Toronto Star LOADED: 05.26.2020 “A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome,” the 22-page memo continued. “COVID-19 generally affects older age groups and those with previously existing medical conditions, more so than younger, and otherwise healthy, individuals.

“We recognize that players and personnel have family and household members who may fall into these vulnerable categories.”

If the Phase 2 plan gets the green light, on-ice sessions will be non- contact and involve up to six players, who will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities, and when not able to physically distance.

“Face coverings (cloth or surgical-type mask) shall be worn at all times — other than while exercising — when entering or leaving the club facility and while inside the club facility where social distancing cannot be maintained,” the memo read. “Players are not required to wear face coverings when they are exercising or on the ice.”

Teams are also not allowed to require a player to return to a club’s home city to complete any necessary quarantine measures before the workouts begin. Coaches and management will be allowed to watch, but not participate in, the informal skates.

The Phase 2 memo sent to teams Sunday and made public Monday also states players and staff will be administered COVID-19 nasal swab tests two days before training begins, and will be tested twice a week afterwards. They will also be perform daily self-administered temperature and symptom checks at home before heading to their team’s facility.

Clubs must also administer “a separate temperature and symptom check at the entrance of the club facility.”

“As an over-riding principle, testing of asymptomatic players and club personnel must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests,” the memo read. 1185273 Toronto Maple Leafs For the past couple of months, social distancing has been a factor in his regimen, and will continue to be.

“Having all this down time (during the pandemic), it helped to make sure Leafs' prospect Scott staying positive as he diligently rehabs from hip I’m not rushing anything and I’m not pushing myself to get back sooner surgery than I should be,” Scott said. “It’s a good thing, kind of. It has probably helped me focus on the off-ice side of it a little longer, making sure my legs are stronger and everything is working well before I step on the ice.

Terry Koshan “You have to be (positive). You’re going to have days where it sucks and you wish you were just playing hockey and how it used to be, but you

have to accept (the pause) and do your best to get back.” Ian Scott is getting close to returning to the ice. Toronto Sun LOADED: 05.26.2020 That the Maple Leafs goaltending prospect won’t have much company as the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to impact the world, for now, won’t be an issue.

Scott is happy that he soon will be putting on his skates again, the next step as he continues to recover from the hip surgery he underwent last December.

“It’s going great,” Scott told the Toronto Sun on Monday, referring to his rehabilitation. “It’s a little weird being self-quarantined while you do it, but it has been good.

“I’m not 100% sure (when) with all this stuff going on, but I’ll be back on the ice. It has been a long time.”

When we previously spoke to Scott, we were in Traverse City, Mich., last September, observing as the Calgary native played for the Leafs’ prospects team in the Detroit Red Wings’ annual tournament.

Scott was coming off a spectacular year with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. His play was crucial in the Raiders’ run to a WHL title, coming after Scott went 38-8-3 with a .932 save percentage during the regular season, more than enough to be named the Canadian Hockey League goaltender of the year. Scott and the Raiders faltered at the Memorial Cup in Halifax, failing to win a game, but it was the positives of the season that Scott was hoping to use a springboard when he looked ahead during the rookie tournament in Michigan.

Scott was ready to secure a job with the Toronto Marlies. Selected by the Leafs in the fourth round in the 2017 draft, Scott played in one game with the Marlies toward the end of the 2017-18 season and then worked out with the Marlies during their charge to a Calder Cup title that spring.

Those experiences, combined with his stellar 2018-19 season with Prince Albert (during which he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Leafs), put him in line with a spot in the Marlies’ crease for 2019- 20.

That didn’t happen. As it turned out, Scott has not played in a meaningful game in just over a year, his most recent appearance coming last May 21 against the Guelph Storm at the Memorial Cup.

“It was just after Leafs training camp (last fall), when we were getting ready for Marlies camp to start, there were a couple of skates and I tweaked something and it didn’t feel right,” Scott said. “We couldn’t figure out what it was, and we got a second round of imaging. That’s when we took a closer look at my hip and figured I needed surgery.”

Scott had the operation on Dec. 18, got home to Calgary for a few days during the Christmas break and returned to Toronto to begin an intensive rehabilitation program, with Leafs medical staff personnel Rich Rotenberg and Paul Ayotte as guides, in the new year.

That a season evaporated during the formative stage of his hockey career — Scott turned 21 in January — didn’t diminish his resolve.

“It definitely was frustrating, going from such a high (of winning with Prince Albert) to a low here, but you have to trust the process,” Scott said. “It has had its bumps in the road, but the Leafs staff have gone above and beyond.

“A lot of work we have put in is making sure my body is wired properly now, that the muscles are firing properly and in the right order, and I’m not using other muscles to compensate for a lack in other areas.”

Scott is quite certain he will be at full health once he does get a proper shot at winning a job with the Marlies at training camp, whenever that might be. One bonus to having his rehab in Toronto before the hockey world went on pause in March is that he was able to be around the Marlies during the club’s stretches at home. 1185274 Toronto Maple Leafs Abruzzese’s focus intensified once he moved to the USHL’s Chicago Steel for 2017-18. Hardy remembers Abruzzese storming into the coach’s room after one practice. The team would film its practices, but on that particular day the video crew only filmed one end of the ice. Mind over matter: The gift that defines Maple Leafs prospect Nick Abruzzese’s reps during a shooting drill had gone un-filmed. Abruzzese “’I’m the only one that studies practice,’” Hardy remembers Abruzzese saying. “’So make sure they’re filming what I’m doing.’”

By Joshua Kloke May 25, 2020 “He wants all the information he can get,” said Hardy.

Abruzzese posted 13 goals and 36 points in 56 games in his first season with the Steel. Following the season, Hardy asked him if any NHL teams Nick Abruzzese has yet to decide on a major at Harvard University. had shown interest in drafting him. But the upcoming sophomore is leaning towards psychology. He wants to Abruzzese shook his head. understand why the brain responds to certain things the way it does. “‘I’ll bet you $500 you get drafted next year,’” said Hardy. Those who know the Maple Leafs 2019 fourth-round draft pick agree with his thinking. Psychology would be a perfect fit. Hardy was convinced his elite hockey sense would only continue to improve. “Nick has a lot of tools, but what separates him from everyone else is his brain,” said Abruzzese’s former coach with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, The next season, his premonitions came true. His situational awareness and current Toronto Marlies coach, Greg Moore. drastically improved. He showed an understanding of how he could support his teammates on the ice. He was more creative in his Abruzzese’s obsessive hockey mind propelled him to finish tied for playmaking, was able to evade pressure, showed 360-degree vision, and second in NCAA scoring this season with 44 points in 31 games. Since moved his body to always create more space for himself. 2005-06, the only freshmen to post more points per game than Abruzzese’s 1.42 are Clayton Keller, Kyle Connor, Brock Boeser, Jack He also benefitted from working with the newly-hired Moore. Abruzzese Eichel, and Jaden Schwartz. calls himself a player who can “feel” the game, play off his instincts and not always be responsible for being at certain points on the ice. With “I’m not sure his brain shuts down at night,” said Harvard assistant coach Moore, Abruzzese felt confident to think, and act, “outside the box.” Jim Tortorella, brother of Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella. “He’s always thinking.” “He’s not as much about Xs and Os, and more just about letting the player go out and play,” said Abruzzese of Moore. If the 20-year-old left winger is going to make his way to Toronto and the NHL, he’ll do so relying on his skill and another tool that former coaches Under Moore, he became a more fluid player. have described as simply, a “world-class” brain. “He would surprise me with how aware he was of his surroundings on the Necessity being the mother of invention, Abruzzese’s analytical approach ice,” said Moore. “He knew all of his opponents, he knew the tendencies was born out of need. of those players and the tendencies of the team.”

Former Boston Bruins scout and current Chicago Steel general manager Abruzzese led the league in scoring with 80 points in 69 games. Ryan Hardy, remembers Abruzzese as a bantam when he played in his native New Jersey. Hardy wanted people to know what type of player Abruzzese could become. He regularly sent out tweets in 2019-20 hyping his “So small. Maybe, like, 5-foot-2,” he recalled. performances. (Hardy’s tweets have since been deleted)

Abruzzese, who now stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 160 pounds, realized he In March 2019, Hardy received a text message from Leafs general was never going to outmuscle his opponents. manager Kyle Dubas. He didn’t want word of Abruzzese’s exploits spreading more than it already had. So he tried to process the game quicker instead. He’d Watch videos of his own shifts and essentially compare notes with himself, asking: What “(Dubas) said, ‘Hey, stop tweeting about Nick Abruzzese. You did he originally see on the ice? And when watching plays again, did he accomplished what you set out to do,’” said Hardy. “I texted him back, see everything he could have? He’d then ask his coaches: was there saying, ‘OK, but you better pick him if I’m gonna stop tweeting about something he missed? him.’”

“Getting all those ideas together is a way that I’ve been able to continue “We tried to just stay quiet and hoped to select him later on because we to grow my hockey sense and be able to get a multitude of different felt the fit was great for Nick with the Leafs,” Dubas said via email angles and approaches,” said Abruzzese. recently.

He’d devour NHL games too. In particular, he’d pay special attention to Just minutes before the final pick of the fourth round of the 2019 draft, 5-foot-10, 177-pound Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane. He with the Leafs on the clock, Dubas texted Hardy: “It’s time.” would try to implement into his own game the things he saw from the shifty and prolific Kane. Knowing how much Hardy had advocated for Abruzzese, Dubas wanted him to be watching live when the Leafs selected him. “Creativity, hockey sense, skill, fluidity, he checks off all those boxes,” said Abruzzese. Hardy quickly shot Abruzzese a text: “Pay me.”

His obsession with hockey made him an introvert. Unlike many of his The pick reinforced how much the Leafs value hockey IQ. teammates, Abruzzese doesn’t play video games. They don’t stimulate “Our staff was lucky right from the beginning of the season in feeling Nick him the way television, especially the dry humour of shows such as “The was a player that fit our profile in terms of what we value in terms of Office,” does. intelligence, instinct, and skill level,” said Dubas. “He doesn’t care about being cool. Like, he dresses like my grandfather. Abruzzese began his freshman season at Harvard ready to learn. He doesn’t care about anything but hockey,” said Hardy. “The stigma that only geniuses go to Harvard isn’t exactly true,” said Hardy received a few scouting reports on Abruzzese ahead of the 2017 Abruzzese. “If I’m the dumbest person in class, then that only means that NHL Draft. They said Abruzzese was physically underdeveloped, but I can learn from other people and be able to hear the ideas that other possessed elite hockey sense and could make plays. He was perhaps people have.” worth a late-round swing, or maybe he should just be tracked through college. Abruzzese was surprised by how physical games could often be. But he quickly learned to trust his brain, just as he always had. Unsurprisingly, he went undrafted in 2017 after a season with the North Jersey Avalanche U18 team. Early in the season, Abruzzese began garnering more ice time, and in different situations, than he expected as a mere freshman. “Right from the beginning, Nick put himself in a position where he was Because as much as the NHL continues to trend towards smaller, skilled just a factor,” said Tortorella. forwards, Abruzzese’s ability to stay durable throughout an 82-game schedule, will help determine if Leafs fans ever get to see his brain in Harvard head coach Ted Donato was impressed by Abruzzese’s efforts action in Toronto. to improve away from the puck, something that is occasionally a difficult undertaking for offensively-gifted players. For now, Abruzzese’s future is at Harvard. He values his education.

“He used his skill set to take pucks away, and used his speed to take “He doesn’t care to do what everybody else is doing,” said Hardy. away time and space coming back,” said Donato, who noted how Abruzzese can create separation with his agility and by using others on But his Harvard coaches believe Abruzzese will eventually become an the ice. “That’s a real credit to his willingness to want to become a 200- NHL player. Perhaps that’s easy to say in the afterglow of a remarkable foot player.” freshman season. But when asked how he will continue to motivate Abruzzese, Tortorella chuckles. That responsibility, including playing on both special teams, boosted his confidence. Having already been drafted, Abruzzese didn’t feel much “That’s easy. It’s Nick. We don’t have to (motivate him). Nick’s never pressure all season. And being defensively responsible also meant there satisfied,” he said, adding Abruzzese would routinely call the coaching was some flexibility afforded to him in the offensive zone. He wasn’t as staff on off-days off asking for more video breakdowns. tentative making use of his creative vision as he thought he might be, The Leafs appreciate Abruzzese’s feel for the game, but also his ability to and seeing “maybe not what everyone else on the ice is seeing.” make adjustments on the ice very quickly. Leafs senior director of player Tortorella saw that. He describes some players as “robots” who simply development Scott Pellerin said last month Abruzzese is genuinely report for duty where their coaches tell them to be, shift after shift. committed to improving specific aspects of his game, such as his playmaking off the rush and where to position himself defensively. But Abruzzese was generally allowed to find his own space, because, Pellerin likes how Abruzzese utilized the heavy amount of video the according to Tortorella, his innate hockey sense generally led him to Leafs show their prospects and put it into action on the ice. where he could be most effective. What’s promising for Abruzzese’s professional future is how Pellerin “That’s not something you can teach,” said Tortorella. “You either have it echoes what others have said about his intelligence. or you don’t. And Nick has it at a very high level.” “The things that he sees are at a different level than some other players His 44 points were a product of finding those creative passing lanes and that we’ve come across,” he said. sneaking into dangerous areas of the ice to get a shot off. It’s for that reason that Abruzzese’s strong freshman season might not be Tortorella also got some insight into how Abruzzese’s brain worked a one-off. There might be a few more gears for his game to reach. during some exhaustive video sessions. Those who have seen Abruzzese in action believe he will reach those At Harvard, when a player is struggling, the coaching staff will compile gears for Harvard, and possibly, the Leafs, very soon. clips of a player making positive contributions and sync those clips with the player’s favourite music. Coaches want players to believe certain “His hockey IQ,” said Hardy, “is on par with some of the best NHL plays are not beyond their reach. The hope is that by creating a synergy players.” between a player’s favourite music and clips of him performing well, he The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 will be more receptive to processing information.

It has worked with one exception: Abruzzese.

Music is not required for his video sessions. To Abruzzese, video sessions are not times to teach, but to collaborate. The questions from Abruzzese come fast: What could he have done to evade defensive pressure in a different way? Where were the pockets of space? Could he have held onto the puck for a second longer to make a better play?

Tortorella marvelled at Abruzzese’s ability to apply such lessons seamlessly in a game.

“It’s intuitive for him,” said Tortorella. “He can connect visual to execution without really thinking about it like we have to make other players think about it.”

It reminds Tortorella of Hockey Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis, whom Tortorella’s brother John coached in Tampa Bay.

Jim Tortorella remembers St. Louis telling him how he balanced risk and reward in the offensive zone by thinking about plays as “mathematical equations,” examining the angles between players and how he’d have to imagine what would happen after he’d make a certain play. If he thought he could expose an angle without then being punished if the play backfired, he’d make it. St. Louis admitted John Tortorella wasn’t receptive at first, but once Tortorella understood that St. Louis would only make plays if the reward outweighed the risk, he allowed him more freedom.

“Nick has that same ability to calculate so quickly,” said Jim Tortorella. “You and I look at it like, ‘Wow, what a play.’ But to Nick, it’s just happening.”

It’s worth considering what St. Louis also did, beyond using his brain, to thrive in the NHL: he got bigger. The size of his quads is the stuff of legend. They helped him maintain explosiveness and compete in the NHL as a smaller player.

Tortorella admitted that there were occasions last season when Abruzzese was dominated by physical teams. Moving forward, Abruzzese will need to get stronger and improve his leg and core strength so he won’t easily be knocked off the puck. More size and strength will help him handle even more ice time. 1185275 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights now 6-1 co-favorites to win Stanley Cup

By Todd Dewey Las Vegas Review-Journal

The NHL is back on the betting board at the Westgate sportsbook.

After the plan for an expanded 24-team postseason was approved Friday by the NHL Players’ Association executive board, the Westgate posted prices on eight potential play-in series and adjusted its Stanley Cup futures odds.

The Golden Knights, one of the top four teams from each conference to receive a bye into the quarterfinals, are the 6-1 co-favorites — with the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning — to win the 2020 Stanley Cup.

Vegas (39-24-8), the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, was the 5-1 Stanley Cup favorite when the NHL suspended its season March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We bumped the Knights up from 5-1 to 6-1 for the Cup,” Westgate vice president of risk Jeff Sherman said. “We just felt that no one should be 5- 1 or shorter based on that format.”

Caesars Entertainment also lists the Knights, Bruins and Lightning as 6-1 co-favorites to win the Cup.

The other teams receiving byes are the Colorado Avalanche (8-1), St. Louis Blues (10-1), Washington Capitals (10-1), Philadelphia Flyers (12- 1) and Dallas Stars (14-1).

Sherman said the Westgate made its play-in prices based on best-of-five series played at neutral sites that have yet to be determined.

If the NHL playoff format mirrors an NCAA-style bracket without reseeding, the Knights would face the winner of the Coyotes-Predators play-in series. Nashville is a -125 favorite over Arizona (+105).

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NHL sends memo outlining framework for Phase Two of return

By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Golden Knights could begin skating next month.

The NHL sent a memo to teams and players outlining the framework for the opening of practice facilities and small group workouts.

The 21-page document, which was made public Monday, indicated the league is “targeting a date in early June for a transition to Phase Two.”

“However, it has not yet been determined when precisely Phase Two will start or how long it may last,” the memo said. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate following discussion with all relevant parties.”

NHL issues update on Phased Return to Sport Protocol: https://t.co/WRnoXeXUrN pic.twitter.com/WA3dKaSn45

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 25, 2020

According to the memo, a maximum of six players will be allowed in team facilities at a time for voluntary, noncontact skates. Players from other NHL teams will be granted access to team facilities in an area where they are self-isolating.

The memo stipulates one trainer and one strength and conditioning coach is permitted to be on site. Each group of players will be provided with a start time and session duration for their “shift” at the team facility.

Coaches and hockey operations personnel are allowed to observe but not participate in on-ice skates during Phase Two.

“The schedule must allow for sufficient time between sessions to allow proper disinfecting of training facilities and equipment, and to ensure that there is no overlap between players departing and the next group arriving,” the memo states.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak plans a Tuesday news conference to potentially announce a date for moving the state to the second phase of reopenings.

City National Arena will be closed to the public during Phase Two.

The memo did not specify possible start dates for Phase Three (start of training camps) or Phase Four (return to play).

The NHL paused its season March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic and is currently in Phase One, with players and staff self- quarantining.

Testing for COVID-19 is required to take place two days before beginning Phase Two for all participants. The memo orders players to be tested at least two times per week after that, and players and clubs must administer a daily temperature and symptom check.

Players and staff returning to the club’s home city by public transportation such as airline or train must self-quarantine for 14 days before participating in activities at the team facility.

Additionally, face masks are required except when players are exercising.

“As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the players and club personnel is our top priority, and that will dictate how Phase Two, and any progression thereafter, may evolve,” the memo states.

The NHL warned that failing to comply with the protocols outlined in the Phase Two memo could result in significant penalties, including fines, loss of draft choices or “ineligibility for participation in Phase Two activities.”

“Adherence to the provisions in this protocol and a level playing field will be important during Phase Two,” the memo states, “most importantly, as the health and safety of players and club personnel is the league’s top priority, and also to maintain the integrity of competition among the clubs. This protocol sets forth a layered approach: No one aspect can stand on its own.” 1185277 Vegas Golden Knights

Memo: NHL targeting early June to bring players back in COVID-19 reboot

Initially, 6 players will be permitted on ice for training with no coaches or staff

By Justin Emerson

The National Hockey League is targeting early June to start returning from its coronavirus shutdown and will initially allow a limited amount of players to train at team-operated practice facilities, according to a memo released to teams today by the league and the NHL Players’ Association.

The plan calls for a maximum of six players at a time in a practice facility, and players would be required to wear protective masks at any time they are not exercising or on the ice, according to the 21-page memo. On-ice sessions would be reserved for players only, so no coaches or any other staff.

All participation is voluntary, and teams cannot require players to return to home cities in order to begin workouts. Players can, however, train in facilities other than their own teams’ buildings — so a non-Golden Knights player would be permitted to use City National Arena.

The memo only detailed procedures for returning to facilities and small- group workouts. An agreement between the league and players’ association on training camp and games is still being worked out, including a scenario where Las Vegas is a hub city for multiple games in a 24-team playoff.

Players will be tested for COVID-19 two days before entering a facility, then twice a week after that with daily self-checks for temperature and other symptoms, according to the memo. Additionally, testing of asymptomatic members of the organization “must be done in the context of excess testing capacity, so as not to deprive healthcare workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary diagnostic tests.”

The NHL paused on March 12 and instructed players to self-quarantine in their homes.

There has been recent movement toward hockey resuming, including a Friday night agreement by the players’ association that they would move forward with the league on a 24-team playoff format. In this proposal, the Golden Knights would receive a first-round bye and play once the field is whittled to 16 teams.

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Capitals Greatest Hits: How to watch Evgeny Kuznetsov's series-winning goal

By NBC Sports Washington May 25, 2020 11:55 AM

In need of Memorial Day plans? Look no further as NBC Sports Washington presents the fifth and final edition of Capitals Greatest Hits on Monday, May 25, at 7 p.m.

For this holiday edition of Capitals Greatest Hits, NBC Sports Washington will reair Game 7 of the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round playoff series between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders.

As a special treat, Evgeny Kuznetsov, who delivered the series-winning goal for the Caps, will make a special appearance on the broadcast to talk about his Game 7 heroics from the win-or-go-home showdown.

What better way to cap off a holiday weekend than by reliving some Caps playoff glory with The Birdman himself?

How to WATCH: Capitals’ Greatest Hits

Who: New York Islanders @ Washington Capitals — April 27, 2015

When: May 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: NBC Sports Washington (channel finder), stream on the NBC Sports MyTeams app

Guest: Washington Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov

Broadcast Schedule

6:00 PM Capitals Greatest Hits Capitals vs Thrashers from March 21, 2008 (R)

7:00 PM Capitals Greatest Hits Capitals vs Islanders from April 27, 2015 (P)

8:00 PM 2018 Stanley Cup Championship Films: Washington Capitals (P)

10:00 PM #HockeyAtHome: The Great One & The Great Eight (R)

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NHL releases framework, but no date, for players' return to team facilities

By J.J. Regan May 25, 2020 11:46 AM

The NHL released a memorandum on Monday outlining the framework for the league's next stage of its return to play, which will include a return to team facilities in accordance with local restrictions.

Phase 2 will permit players to return to NHL team training facilities "for voluntary small-group individualized training activities (on-ice and off-ice). Phase 1, which the league is still currently in, is self-quarantine. Though there is no set date for the transition to Phase 2, the memorandum stated that the league is targeting making the move in early June.

NHL issues update on Phased Return to Sport Protocol: https://t.co/WRnoXeXUrN pic.twitter.com/WA3dKaSn45

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 25, 2020

In Phase 2, gatherings at team facilities will be limited to a maximum of six players, plus limited staff.

The memorandum also notes this will be permitted "only in those jurisdictions where the applicable health authorities have sufficiently relaxed local restrictions to permit such gatherings." The Capitals' practice facility, MedStar Capitals Iceplex, is located in Virginia. Under the state's current stay at home order, gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people. This order is currently set to expire on June 10.

Players who do wish to participate in Phase 2 will only be allowed to participate in specific activities: player-only non-contact skates (no coaches permitted), weight lifting so long as the activity does not require a spotter, circuit-based activities, cardiovascular and endurance exercises, and rehabilitation treatments.

In order to ensure the health and safety of the players, COVID-19 testing guidelines are also laid out. Players and team staff with player access will be administered tests 48 hours before they return to training facilities. In areas where widespread testing is not available, players and staff must self-quarantine for14 days before they can enter team facilities. Temperature and symptom checks will also be required on a daily basis and all players will have to undergo a "pre-participation medical evaluation."

In addition, the memorandum lays out a number of safety measures players will be required to abide by including maintaining social distancing, using masks and gloves when entering and leaving the team facilities and not car-pooling with other players. Players will also not be permitted to use hot and cold tubs, saunas and steam rooms.

According to the memorandum, "The health of the Players and Club personnel is our top priority, and that will dictate how Phase 2, and any progression thereafter, may evolve. We again emphasize that Player participation in Phase 2 is strictly voluntary. In addition, Clubs are not permitted to require Players to return to the Club’s home city so they can complete a quarantine requirement in time to participate in Phase 2."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185280 Washington Capitals three exhibition games before a playoff series, of course you should pick the bye. No team is guaranteed to win that first-round matchup, especially with all the uncertainty of the current season. But that does not mean that the bye won't end up proving detrimental in the second round How the 24-team playoff both helps and hurts the Capitals as teams struggle to get up to playoff speed.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 05.26.2020 By J.J. Regan May 25, 2020 7:00 AM

The return to play format for the NHL is not set in stone and there are still some details that need to be worked out, but it certainly appears as if there will be a 24-team playoff when the league resumes and the Capitals will get a bye through the first round as one of the top-four teams in the Eastern Conference. At face value, that's a good thing. Out of 24 teams, only eight are guaranteed to make it to the next round and the Caps are one of those eight. But no one is quite sure how teams will look when the season resumes and with that uncertainty comes the possibility that the first-round bye might not actually be a positive.

Let's be clear, a bye through the first round is not a bad thing. The NHL has more parity than any other sports league and no one is guaranteed to win a series regardless of who they play. Really, this is about how ready Washington is going to be for a playoff series after sitting out the first round.

When the NHL put its season on pause, just about everyone had an opinion on how things should look when play resumed. If there was one thing all of the players agreed on, except for Alex Ovechkin, it was that the league should not simply jump into the playoffs. Teams had to be able to play games before that whether it be regular-season games or exhibitions. After so much time away from the ice and away from the team, everyone is going to look rusty when they return to the ice. No one wants to go straight from an abbreviated training camp into a do-or-die playoff series. With the NHL pause stretching into May, however, and with no timetable for a return just, time is a factor the league must consider in terms of being able to finish the current season and still have a full 82-games season in 2020-21. As of the time of writing, it does not appear that teams will be able to play exhibition games upon returning...except for the top seeds.

Based on the format that is currently expected to be agreed upon by the NHL and NHLPA, the top four teams from each conference will play a round-robin to determine playoff seeding during the first round. While 16 teams will have to go from no hockey, to an abbreviated training camp right to what will likely be a best of five playoff series, the top seeds like the Caps will get three exhibition games before starting the playoffs.

Granted, these would not technically be exhibition games because they would matter in terms of seeding, but even if the Caps were to be blown out in all three games, they would still advance to the second round. Not having to step into a best of five series with the season on the line immediately out of the pause is a huge advantage, or at least it is when looking just at the first round. But what will happen in the second?

When teams like Washington get their first chance to step onto the ice in the postseason it won't be against teams coming off exhibition games. Instead, the Caps will be playing a team that battled through three to five playoff games. While Washington will be trying to dial up the intensity to playoff levels, they will be playing against a team that has been playing at that intensity for a series already.

Who would you give the edge to between a team that just played a playoff series and one coming out of a three-game preseason?

What will make the 2020 postseason fascinating is the fact that we have absolutely no idea what to expect. This is completely unchartered territory. Maybe the bye-in round will see teams suffer a number of injuries as they ramp up the intensity too quickly from training camp to postseason and the top seeds breeze past their weakened opponents. Maybe three round-robin games will be all it takes to get the Capitals back up to game speed and ready for their first playoff series. Or maybe teams coming off of a playoff series will find themselves in better game shape, more in sync and better prepared for a playoff series than a team coming off a bye that was preceded by a pause of several months. If we look back at this postseason and see that an overwhelming majority of the top eight seeds lose in their first matchups against teams that were already playing playoff hockey, would it really be that big of a shock?

If given the choice between having to step directly into a do-or-die best of five series or being in the Caps' position of getting a bye and playing 1185281 Winnipeg Jets their scoring leader back in a hurry, so Chartier had his time with the Jets cut short and he headed west down the Trans-Canada Highway. That season, he'd finish eighth in WHL scoring with 64 goals and 124 points.

One and done, son Chartier attended Jets training camp in the fall of 1981 but spent the entire season with the team's Central Hockey League affiliate, the Tulsa Three Manitoba boys got their chances to lace up their skates, pull on Oilers, scoring 18 goals in 74 games. He rejoined the Jets for the playoffs Jets jerseys and realize their lifelong dreams during the 1980s, and as a "black ace" but didn't dress in a short series against the St. Louis then... Blues. He spent the next two injury-plagued seasons with the organization's new American Hockey League affiliate, the Sherbrooke

Jets, but by that point was off the NHL team's radar. By: Jason Bell | Posted: 05/25/2020 7:00 PM | Comments: 0 "I was always hoping there'd be another game. I was doing fairly well in Sherbrooke and figured I might have had a chance, but I don't think they believed I was big enough or strong enough," he says. "I played half the Archibald (Moonlight) Graham got the second chance Dave Chartier, year (1983-84) and they sent me to Fort Wayne for three weeks but I had Ron Loustel and Darren Boyko never did, but fiction is far more forgiving enough and came back home. I knew I was finished with hockey." than the oft-harsh reality of pro sports. Chartier has worked the last 34 years at the Mosaic Company potash The trio of Manitoba-born-and-raised hockey players, not unlike the New mine in Esterhazy, Sask. He and his wife, Cheryl, have two kids, York Giants rookie outfielder 115 years ago, had no way of knowing their Nicholas and Sara, and a pair of grandsons, Cruz, 8, and Croix, 4. The respective NHL debuts at the old Winnipeg Arena would be not only a now-59 year old says life has been good since that memorable moment first but also a last. almost 40 years ago.

Graham made his major-league baseball debut on June 29, 1905, "I don't think I got a lot out of that one game. At the time, it was a job. patrolling right field the last two innings of a lopsided 11-1 win over the And we all move on from job to job over the years," he says. "I play a lot Brooklyn Superbas, but never made a plate appearance. It was his only of senior hockey and some of the guys still chirp me about being an appearance in the big leagues, and led to his inclusion as a character in NHLer. It's pretty funny, actually. But every once in a while I can still flip W.P. Kinsella's 1982 novel, Shoeless Joe, and later in the Kevin Costner the switch." movie Field of Dreams, where Graham got the opportunity to don a Giants uniform on a magical diamond carved out of a cornfield. Chartier earned a $25,000 signing bonus with the Jets, but the one-time payment he received for that special New Year's Eve assignment meant Chartier, Loustel and Boyko each got a meagre taste of the NHL with the so much more. "I got paid $275 for that game and do you know what I did Winnipeg Jets in the 1980s but didn't have what it took to stay in the with the money? I bought a wedding ring. Best investment of my life." league, never suiting up in The Show again. Any disappointment suffered back in the day has long since vanished and life, indeed, took the trio on Ron Loustel says he could have, would have, should have. In reality, the markedly different paths since that quick cup of coffee in the bigs. odds were stacked entirely against the talented junior goaltender on the evening of March 27, 1981. Dave Chartier was a "a half-ton playing against a bunch of one-ton trucks," yet there he was on the last evening of 1980, suiting up for the Selected in the sixth round (107th overall) of the 1980 draft, he had Jets at the old barn on Maroons Road in front of about 14,000 fans, played the lion's share of the season for the Saskatoon Blades and was including dozens from his hometown, the farming community of St. one of the lone bright spots on a bad WHL team. When Ferguson called Lazare, all doing their best to spur on an NHL squad of historically woeful his name out at the draft inside the Montreal Forum, Loustel was sitting in proportions. class at Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon.

The 19-year-old had skated with the Brandon Wheat Kings in a gritty Squeezing everything out of marginal puckstoppers such as Pierre Western Hockey League matchup with the Regina Pats just 24 hours Hamel, Michel Dion and Lindsay Middlebrook, the Jets GM turned to the before receiving an emergency summons from the NHL team that drafted teen on an emergency recall (starter Markus Mattsson was ill) against the him in the 10th round (191st) overall just months before. Chartier says he playoff-bound Vancouver Canucks. The Blades' season was done and was told by Jets general manager John Ferguson he'd actually play a Loustel was already back in Winnipeg practising with other Jets pair of games for the big club before being returned to his junior team. prospects.

Dave Chartier, called up from the Brandon Wheat Kings, was 'a half-ton "I found out during the morning skate. I guess they waited to see whether truck playing against a bunch of one-ton trucks,' when he suited up for (Mattsson) would recover from his sickness and then told me I was the Jets on New Year's Eve 1980. (Supplied)

playing. You're surprised at first, then the excitement hits and then you're nervous right before the game — in that order," he says. "My parents Dave Chartier, called up from the Brandon Wheat Kings, was 'a half-ton were there. I had a lot of friends and family there that night." truck playing against a bunch of one-ton trucks,' when he suited up for the Jets on New Year's Eve 1980. (Supplied) Poised to face Vancouver in his NHL debut just 20 days after his 19th birthday, he was handed the unenviable task of backstopping the worst It was New Year's Eve and the Washington Capitals were in town. team in the league. With only a handful of games to go in a torturous Chartier admits he had an empty tank when he first walked into the 1980-81 campaign, the Smythe Division team was striving for just its 10th dressing room and joined a group that included Morris Lukowich, Dave victory to go with 53 defeats and a dozen ties. Babych, Doug Smail and Jimmy Mann, but got a a major shot of adrenaline when he pulled on the Jets jersey. The Jets had long since given up the fight, and the 6-0, 185-pound masked man would pay the consequences. History will show Loustel "It was intimidating, for sure. I had no time to adjust to that kind of turned aside a sensational 41 shots that night. It will also show the limelight. These were men, they had legs like tree trunks. I was just a Canucks took 51 in a 10-2 blowout. By all accounts, including his own, baby," he says, speaking by phone from his home in Binscarth, located the Gilbert Plains product who was raised in Winnipeg was hung out to about 340 kilometres northwest of the Manitoba capital. dry.

"I remember my stall being all ready to go with my jersey there. There "Pretty much thrown to the wolves, and after that it was tough to ever get was a chalk board with who was playing and who was on the Washington back in there again," remembers Loustel, 58. "It was a weird night. They side. got three goals in the first period. There were a lot of shots. It was a busy night. Our defence wasn't the best, and it was like the team gave up "I remember during the game Mann took his water bottle and squirted a halfway through the game." big guy named Archie Henderson in the face when he skated by. And the game was on. It was rough. I remember there was a guy named (Bob) Dave (Tiger) Williams, the league's all-time penalty-minute leader, led the Kelly, and I had a chance to run him but didn't... I should have run him. I way for the Canucks, swatting in a pair of goals. "If I recall, they were had a few shifts. It was a fun night." garbage goals. He was standing in the crease, his classic goals, you know?" says Loustel. Chartier, listed then at 5-10, 170 pounds, didn't get his name on the scoresheet, an eventual 5-3 victory for the Caps — one of the 57 defeats the hapless Jets would muster that dreadful year. The Wheaties needed The Jets defensive corps that night was led by rookie Dave Babych, who of Fame in Toronto. He filled a contract position in 1997 with the Hall, co- finished a minus-three, and 32-year-old veteran Barry Long, who was a ordinating a project to expand the international zone, and has been with minus-six when the final horn sounded. Rounding out the second-rate the stately Canadian institution, housed in a magnificent former Bank of blue-line crew were Moe Mantha, Don Spring, Bill Whelton and Mark Montreal building in downtown Toronto, ever since. Plantery. Boyko met his wife, Patricia, at the University of Toronto and they've "Morris Lukowich said sorry to me after the game, and Tiger Williams been married for nearly 35 years. Their oldest, son Christopher, and two toward the end said, 'You were all alone, basically,'" Loustel says. "You daughters, Lauren and Sarah, were born overseas, while youngest always wish you'd made more saves, done this or that differently. It is daughter, Caroline, arrived when the family was re-established in what it is." Canada. The couple has three grandkids.

Breakaways, odd-man rushes and even a two-on-none, Loustel was Boyko was just 24 and had played three full seasons in Helsinki in the under siege. summer of 1988 when he set his sights on the world's premier league, the NHL. And in his mind — and to those in his inner circle — he was a "I remember the buzzer at the end of the game and the relief of it being better, smarter player than when he'd initially crossed the pond to play. over. That was a hot arena and I was completely drained after that." "It's almost inevitable the longer you stay in the game, being on the ice Loustel attended a pair of training camps in Winnipeg after that but never sometimes twice a day, you're going to improve," he says. "I was scoring pulled on a Jets jersey again. He played four full seasons in the WHL goals and was pretty responsible defensively. I thought the game really (1979-83) and finished with three pro games under his belt — one each well and figured I could make in impact somewhere." with Winnipeg, Tulsa (CHL) and Fort Wayne (IHL). His last stop was not far from home, appearing in 28 games for the Wheat Kings during the The Jets and Philadelphia Flyers came calling but he signed a one-year, 1982-83 campaign before calling it quits. one-way deal with his hometown team, dressing in seven exhibition games. He made the club out of training camp but was a press-box Loustel had worked during several offseasons at Sydney Gitterman Furs spectator for the first two weeks of the regular season. on Princess Street and bought the business in the mid-'80s after his retirement from hockey. "I didn't set the house on fire. I know I scored a goal in San Diego (Sept. 27, 1988) against Wayne (Gretzky) in an L.A. Kings uniform, and I maybe "It leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth. About six months, you don't had three or four assists in those exhibition games," he says. "I talked to touch your equipment, you don't look at it, you don't go and play with Mr. Ferguson — what a great guy he was — and told him how friends," says Loustel, who's remarried and has two daughters, Monika, disappointed I was, because the whole reason for me staying in 31, a lawyer in Vancouver, and Madison, 27, a Winnipeg accountant. He Winnipeg was to play. He said, 'OK, I'll get you into a game.' And it was a also has two young granddaughters, Charlotte and Lyla. disaster."

"Then, after that you come to the realization that life goes on," he says. Boyko was one and done. He was cut from the team and used a clause "The Jets alumni is pretty active in town and we try to get together for ice in his contract to return to Finland. times maybe once a month. I don't play that much anymore. Life's been good. I still think about those days every once in a while." "From my perspective, if you're going to get a chance you'd like to think you'd be given a better look, maybe 10 games. But it doesn't work like Darren Boyko maintains he never received the kind of advice the Jets' that for free agents and fringe prospects," he says. "Then again, the current head coach offers to each and every rookie making his NHL scouts were high on me but the coach didn't know me and I didn't do debut with Winnipeg. In the grand scheme of things, it might not have enough to impress him." mattered back on Oct. 19, 1988 — but it certainly couldn't have hurt. Darren Boyko. "I look at Paul Maurice, the way he welcomes new players and tries to acclimatize them into the environment. He's famous for telling guys, Before turning pro, Boyko played a pair of seasons with the U of T 'Enjoy your first game, it only happens once.' That wasn't the case for Varsity Blues (1983-85) — winning a national championship with head me. It went just horribly. If I had known it was my one and only game, I coach Mike Keenan. Iconic Winnipeg player agent Don Baizley would have soaked it in a bit more," says Boyko, 56. orchestrated an overseas tryout for the St. Vital product, who would eventually become a perennial star with the HIFK Helsinki organization Then-Jets head coach Dan Maloney assigned the 5-9, 170-pound centre just a handful of shifts that Wednesday night against the visiting Boston "As I say, it took me a long time for the Finnish fans to say, 'Get the hell Bruins, and in those few, fleeting minutes the only stat he registered was home, Boyko. You're finished,''' he says, laughing. "Aside from the great a minus-one. Not exactly the fulfilment of a dream he'd harboured since family lifestyle of being a hockey player, I was able to get my under- he laced up the blades on the massive rink his father constructed on the graduate degree and then my MBA. It was a great environment for our family's St. Vital property. family."

"On my last shift, this is the way it played out. There was a faceoff at Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 05.26.2020 centre ice. I won the faceoff back, the pass went D to D and one of the defencemen fell, the Bruins came down and scored, and I was caught flopping around in front of the net. That was it," he recalls. "I remember hearing later, maybe the next year, that the coaching staff blamed that goal on me, which wasn't the case."

He was a fourth-line centre, playing behind Dale Hawerchuk, Thomas Steen and Randy Gilhen, and barely got on the ice. A Bruins team that included Ray Bourque, Cam Neely and Craig Janney posted a 5-2 victory, dropping Winnipeg's early season record to just 1-3-2.

Despite a one-game NHL career, Boyko has a major presence in two prestigious hockey halls of fame.

The former Winnipeg Warriors (WHL) star, who was passed over in consecutive NHL entry drafts, holds legendary status in Finland after playing 11 seasons. Initially, he considered spending just one year in one of Europe's elite hockey leagues but, ultimately, suited up in 477 contests, accumulating 171 goals and 407 points (1985-96). Nearly a decade after leaving Helsinki, he was inducted into Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame (2006).

After retirement — he split his final pro season between the German and Swedish leagues — Boyko really wanted to stay in the game. Armed with an international MBA, he applied to the NHL, the NHL Players' Association, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Hockey Hall 1185282 Winnipeg Jets On-ice sessions will be non-contact and limited to groups of no more than six players, as long as local guidelines allow it.

No coaches will be allowed on the ice, although they can watch the NHL releases Phase 2 of return-to-sport plan; expects early June roll out workouts if they stay apart from the players.

Off-ice workouts will also be governed by strict regulations, including social distancing and regular disinfecting, with new team-appointed Paul Friesen hygiene officers overseeing the entire process.

Players must remain in the same small group for the entirety and wear masks in the facilities if they can’t keep six feet apart, except while Looking at the NHL’s painstakingly detailed, 21-page proposal to start skating or exercising. bringing players back to their team facilities, potentially in early June, a question comes to mind. Each small group is allowed one trainer, one strength and conditioning coach, one equipment manager, one or two dressing room attendants Is it worth the trouble, and the risk? and one doctor. The plan will allow players to begin small, optional group skates and Goalies are allowed more ice time than players and, after one week, can workouts in their home-team cities, with exhaustive testing and bring in a personal goalie coach. prevention guidelines in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Media, player agents and family members will not be allowed into the The document, released Monday, covers everything from the number of facilities. players who can skate at one time to how their equipment is handled to where they should eat meals and have showers. NHL players are well-fed, of course, even on practice days, but they won’t have the luxury of those daily buffets after workouts, as shared It also includes a warning. team meals are off limits. “This Protocol, while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk,” the If the team provides individually-packaged meals, players have to take memo reads. “A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal them home. Whatever gear they were wearing has to be left behind for outcome. COVID-19 generally affects older age groups and those with cleansing, and they’re encouraged to shower at home. previously existing medical conditions, moreso than younger, and otherwise healthy, individuals, and we recognize that Players and Saunas, steam rooms and tubs will be shut down, towels must be single- personnel have family and household members who may fall into these use – the list of rules seems endless. vulnerable categories.” A team violating the guidelines can face fines, the loss of draft picks or That paragraph alone will have players thinking long and hard before be shut down completely. they agree to travel back to their teams to work out, never mind agreeing to drop the puck in anger again. An interesting twist in the plan allows players from opposing teams to have access to home-city facilities. The memo makes it clear that taking part in this phase is optional. It’s also subject to travel restrictions and local health orders, making it likely So, theoretically, if Chicago captain Jonathan Toews or Vegas tough guy some players won’t participate. Ryan Reaves have been isolating in Winnipeg, they could skate with the Jets. Given the different restrictions and guidelines in Canada and the U.S., not to mention the different provinces and states involved, the logistics In cities where regulations don’t allow the re-opening of facilities, the are, in a word, nightmarish. memo says the league will look for alternate arrangements, keeping competitive balance in mind. For starters, players who travel back to their team sites commercially will be forced to self-quarantine for 14 days before entering team facilities. How that might work if, say, one team has full participation and another Those travelling privately or by charter flight can avoid the quarantine isn’t allowed to open at all because of an outbreak, is anybody’s guess. period – if local regulations allow. All this for a playoff tournament that may or may not happen. NHL and AHL players who don’t have permanent residences will be put The league’s goal is to finish off the 2019-20 season with a 24-team up in hotels – provided the hotels have strict standards and the amenities Stanley Cup tourney in the summer. players are used to having on road trips. This early June projected startup of what they’re calling Phase 2 is only The memo says all players and team staff will be subject to a COVID-19 an estimate, and the memo offers no timeline for how long Phase 2 test immediately, and twice a week thereafter, but only if there is enough would be in place. local testing capacity “so as to not deprive health care workers, vulnerable populations and symptomatic individuals from necessary Phase 3 would be the start of training camps. Phase 4, the games. diagnostic tests.” The memo makes no mention of another phase, which is probably the One serious P.R. pitfall avoided there. most likely.

Players and staff will also be equipped with an app that monitors their Winnipeg Sun LOADED 05.26.2020 body temperature, and be subject to daily temperature and symptom checks before being allowed to enter team facilities.

Anybody developing symptoms will be tested immediately and, if positive, will be quarantined.

Those contracting the virus would be considered to have a “hockey injury” under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. In other words, their salaries won’t be threatened.

The information would be kept private and apart from the player’s regular injury file.

Contact tracing to determine who they came in contact with would be mandatory.

A positive player test doesn’t necessarily mean his whole team has to be quarantined, however players he’s been close to would have to be tested. 1185283 Vancouver Canucks Those who develop symptoms and test positive for COVID-19, must notify the Canucks’ medical staff, self-isolate and then be medically evaluated again.

Ben Kuzma: Phase 2 of NHL return to play protocol peppered with 'ifs' However, it’s when a player enters the arena, works out in the gym or and 'buts' steps on the ice that it can get tricky.

If a player is diagnosed or has a resulting or related illness, a physician can issue an Exhibit 25-A, which designates the player as being unfit to Ben Kuzma play. The rationale is that the player sustained an illness while employed as a hockey player and can be removed from training or practising.

The condition will be deemed a hockey-related injury for the purpose of When the Vancouver Canucks return to Rogers Arena in preparation for the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), unless the player contracted the return of NHL play their initial on ice workouts will be limited to just six COVID-19 or the related illness outside the course of his employment as players at a time. a player. When the Vancouver Canucks return to Rogers Arena in preparation for Some will contend that players have done everything possible in self- the return of NHL play their initial on ice workouts will be limited to just six isolation to avoid the virus, yet will be placed in an environment where, players at a time. Jason Payne / PNG regardless or what they do, could contract the virus from somebody else Testing for infection and antibodies, symptomatic personnel, arena and then deemed to have an injury. staffing, commuting and social-distancing edicts among a myriad of That’s not going to go over well. cautious preparations for voluntary participation by Canucks Common symptoms of COVID-19 are persistent cough, shortness of How safe is safe? breath, chest pains, fever and chills, muscle pain, loss of smell or taste, When the National Hockey League revealed its 29-page proposal nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, runny nose and sore throat. Monday for Phase 2 of a four-step program to promote eventual The Canucks’ medical staff and an infectious disease specialist will direct resumption of a season placed on pause March 12 by the novel care of anyone who tests positive. However, players are entitled to coronavirus pandemic, it was met with obvious concern. consult with their personal physicians during their participation in Phase Everything has to be in place and practised to ensure player and staff 2. That could be interesting. safety should the Vancouver Canucks be allowed to return to Rogers When the Vancouver Canucks return to the ice in preparation for the Arena in early June to train in multiple groups of six. B.C. health officials return of the NHL it will be with just six players on the ice at any one time hold the decision hammer and any COVID-19 break in the cautionary and with no coaches to run drills. Jason Payne / PNG chain will delay Phase 2. PERMITTED PLAYER ACTIVITIES On Monday, provincial health officials reported a dozen new cases over the previous two days. It brings the active total to 267 with 37 patients in Social-distancing is always a concern in confined areas and it’s going to hospital, including seven in intensive care. And the number of active be a bigger issue at Rogers Arena, where players must wear masks cases continues to drop. when not training. The two-metre distancing edict in public is easier to adhere to than it is while in crowded corridors, a small gym or even on “Our efforts are working and we are making progress,” said B.C. health the ice, depending on the particular drill. officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Unlike newer facilities with wider corridors and giant workout and locker- As for the NHL and its latest initiative, testing for infection and antibodies, rooms, there are some constraints in the Canucks’ home. symptomatic personnel, arena staffing, commuting and social-distancing are among a myriad of preparations for voluntary player participation. The skating aspect will be limited to player-only, no-contact sessions of no more than six players, who won’t have to wear face shields. Factor in Do the measures go far enough? a healthy Canucks roster, and the expanded playoff roster recall of at Will all this be the spring board to training camp and a 24-team, play-in least 10 players from the American Hockey League affiliate Utica Stanley Cup tournament by some point in late July? Comets, then that’s six groups.

“Having reviewed the Phase 2 material and having discussed it with a That’s one crowded house. A sufficient amount of time will be required to number of our clients, there area number of substantive concerns that we clean and sanitize the arena before each group participates. will continue to discuss and then we will address them with the Players’ Phase 2 doesn’t allow for coaches, other club employees or contracted Association,” NHL player agent Kurt Overhardt said Monday from his representatives to participate in any on-ice sessions. Ice time will be Denver-based business. divided equally between the skaters within each small group, but “The arrangements from both health and safety and a financial goaltenders are expected to receive additional ice time. standpoint need to be equitable. The players can’t assume the risk here. Players not on the ice are allowed to use the gym and receive individual We all know we need to protect the brand and we need to protect the treatment from medical and training staff. Weight training that doesn’t integrity of the game and the league, but integrity is doing things the right include a spotter, and circuit-based reps like resistance, cardiovascular and sensible way.” exercises and endurance training are allowed. And those rehabbing Among his clients, Overhardt represents B.C.-born Ryan Johansen and injuries can seek care from the medical and training staff. Kyle Turris of the Nashville Predators, Jujhar Khaira of the Edmonton Players who participate in Phase 2 can’t work out or skate at any public Oilers and Nic Petan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And while border- facility or other location, and aren’t allowed to organize any play or group crossing issues and what becomes of contracts that expire June 30 are skates outside of the club-organized training sessions. Coaches and of great interest to any agent, so is health insurance for clients and their hockey operations personnel are permitted to observe, but they can’t families. participate. Aside from arena-entry temperature reads and accurate and frequenting Canucks personnel will be seated in an area of Rogers Arena separate testing for players and team personnel, it’s language regarding the from the players. Fitness testing won’t be permitted during Phase 2. following concerns that the Vancouver Canucks should be wary of: PERMITTED PERSONNEL/PLAYERS SYMPTOMATIC PERSONS The arena should accommodate six players at a time with proper social As per the NHL’s 14-day, self-isolation edict that was established March distancing and in compliance with local health regulations. If six players 13 and extended on four occasions, the rationale of a healthy return to can’t be accommodated, the number will be reduced. These measures the rink was prudent to guard against infection contracting or virus must also be followed: spread. • For the duration of Phase 2, players must remain in the same small group, so that any infection or exposure will be contained within that group and in order to facilitate contact tracing.

• If Rogers Arena can’t accommodate the six-player mandate, numbers will be reduced and those remaining from the small group can engage in an on-ice session at the same time, but they can’t initiate body contact. A week after a goaltender’s initial access for individualized training activities, he can invite an independent goalie coach to work on a 1-on-1 basis. Players can also access the athletic trainer while in the weight room and/or when on ice sessions are occurring.

• Each group of players will receive a shift start time and session duration. Players are not permitted to access facilities outside of their designated group shift. Player shifts or sessions shall not overlap with one another.

• The schedule must allow for sufficient time between sessions to allow proper disinfecting of training facilities and equipment, and to ensure that there is no overlap between players departing and the next group arriving.

• Players will be encouraged to shower at home wherever possible. They must leave all workout clothing and equipment at the facility for cleaning and laundering.

CLUB MEDICAL/TRAINING STAFF

A minimum number of essential staff will participate in planned activities and have in-person interactions with players. Each is club is permitted the same maximum number of personnel per small group session, which includes any number of personnel from the following list, and no other personnel, per session:

One athletic trainer

One strength and conditioning coach

One equipment manager

• One or two dressing room attendants

• Club’s physician(s) on an as-needed basis

• One goalie coach who the player hires and is not a club employee but remains subject to all the required safety and precautionary measures.

• During Phase 2, to the extent that it’s possible, each team must assign a unique athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and equipment manager, respectively, to each group of six players, so as to limit cross- exposure among groups.

• That may involve additional personnel, such as those from an AHL affiliate. Club medical and training staff will be designated as “Player Access” club personnel. They’ll be permitted in-person interactions and close contact with players and other “Player Access Personnel.” However, they can’t have in-person interactions or close contact with “No Player Access” club personnel.

• A certified athletic trainer/therapist, who holds current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and is licensed by the state or provincial authority in the jurisdiction of the club, must attend each group session.

COMMUTING/NO MORE CAR POOLS

• Players must avoid carpooling or public transportation to the facility — including ride-shares and taxis. If no other alternative is feasible, the club must make arrangements to pick up and drop off the player at his residence. All drivers must wear gloves and a mask/face covering.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185284 Vancouver Canucks — There are roughly three million jobs and 524 occupations dependent on sports in the U.S.

— Almost 300,000 Americans earn an average of US$45,649 a year Willes' Musings: Don't sweat the small stuff, just celebrate the return of from coaching and scouting. NHL hockey — Sports related travel, which includes youth tournaments, generates US$32 billion annually.

Ed Willes — Each NFL game is worth US$24 million in television rights alone.

— Outdoor sports and recreations was not part of the study. It generates US$427 billion annually. Another week has flown past which means it’s time for the Monday morning musings and meditations on the world of sports. At least we • On another cheery note, Wikipedia has created a page identifying the think it’s that time. If it isn’t, have this one on me. world sports which have had events cancelled or postponed by the pandemic. It lists 51 sports as general headings but also breaks down • With the NHL lurching towards a 24-team Stanley Cup tournament, it some sports into subsets. For example, there are 17 motorsports which would seem to be the solemn responsibility of this space to express an have been impacted by the coronavirus, eight different combat sports, opinion. five different cricket leagues and 21 soccer leagues.

Sorry, the pandemic has robbed me of the energy to muster that opinion. The Washington Post lists the individual world sporting events which have been cancelled or postponed during the health crisis. There are Yes, the tournament is a blatant money grab and, yes, the format is about 500 of these events on one page. That’s also a partial list. deeply flawed. But, given the current condition of our world, it’s impossible to judge these things by normal standards. • And finally, the current shutdown as posed any number of problems for Canada’s professional sports teams but one of the most vexing concerns The mere fact that hockey will take place is notable, a sign that maybe, season ticket refunds. just maybe, we’re emerging from the darkness. We need that. We need that like we need oxygen. Twenty-four teams, sixteen teams, best-of- Teams need that money. They need it badly. That’s why they’re offering fives, best-of-sevens. Who cares. Just give us something to remind us of customers a number of incentives to keep deposits and/or payments with the way things were and the way they’ll be again. the clubs.

I can live with a phoney tournament and its inherent hypocrisy. I’m not In letters which went out to season-tickets holders in mid-May, Canada’s sure I can live with another six months of watching the 1988 Stanley Cup seven NHL franchises offered rebates, food and beverage vouchers, Final. credit with interest if tickets from this season were rolled into 2020-21 and a relaxed payment schedule on next year’s season tickets. • In assessing Jim Benning’s job performance in his six years as the Vancouver Canucks’ GM one thought keeps coming to mind. Had the Most teams also erected deadlines on refunds and that deadline has Canucks drafted Matthew Tkachuk instead of Olli Juolevi in 2016, already passed for season-ticket holders in Toronto and Montreal. Benning would be celebrated around the league for his work in rebuilding the Canucks. Just think of Tkachuk in the Canucks’ top six. Think of the As for the Canucks, the deadline is June 3. The club is also offering young core he’d form with Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat and increased food and beverage allowances, credit for the Canucks’ six Quinn Hughes. Think of the grit he’d add to the lineup. remaining home games applied to next year and 2020-21 season tickets frozen at this year’s cost. I know every team can play that game with draft picks and it could be Pettersson and Hughes make up for the Tkachuk miss. But he was sitting Kudos to Donna Spencer of Canadian Press for digging out that on a platter for the Canucks and when you’re picking in the top five you information. can’t afford mistakes like that. The B.C. Lions, meanwhile, reached out to their fans last week in a Mannequins are placed in spectator seats to cheer South Korea’s football concerted effort to keep season-ticket money in place. club FC Seoul team during a match against Gwangju FC, which is held “We are asking you to keep your ticket credit with us to help fight one of without fans due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in the biggest battles this team, this league and our nation has ever faced,” Seoul, South Korea, May 17, 2020. YONHAP / via REUTERS the Lions wrote in a letter to season ticket holders. • It’s a story from last week but it’s too good to let pass. To that end, the Lions are offering season-ticket holders individual tickets FC Seoul, from South Korea’s top soccer league, was fined a record 100 at 50 per cent off if the CFL resumes play this year and additional season million KRW ($113,300) for placing what appeared to be sex dolls in the tickets at 50 per cent off. stands. It’s interesting to note the incentives aren’t as juicy for next season if this With fans prohibited from attending matches, the football club attempted season is cancelled although Lions’ facemasks are offered for every to create atmosphere in their home park by placing 20 mannequins season ticket purchased. behind one of the goals. The mannequins all wore masks, some held Vancouver Province: LOADED: 05.26.2020 signs and they were spread out responsibly.

They also looked for all the world like sex dolls.

“We would like to apologize to the fans,” the club said in a statement released on social media. “We are very sorry about the supporting mannequins that were placed during the game on May 17. These mannequins may have been made to look and feel like real humans but they are not for sexual use — as confirmed by the manufacturer from the beginning.”

That, apparently, was too fine a distinction for the K League.

“The disciplinary committee decided to take heavy disciplinary action considering the graveness of the incident,” the league said in a statement.

Sorry, when are things going to get back to normal?

• We referenced an ESPN study over the weekend which valued the sports industry in the United States at about US$100 billion. Here are a couple of other items from that study. 1185285 Websites happening. Several NHL players queried by The Athletic concurred with Dubnyk’s assessment that another vote is a must.

Then, if the players approve the myriad logistical issues the union is The Athletic / Misunderstood NHLPA vote: Many hurdles remain before discussing with the NHL regarding actual return to play scenarios, that’s next vote on Return to Play when the league and players can push forward with Phase 3 – the opening of 24 training camps later next month or into July.

To give you an idea of the logistics, here’s a look at the reported By Michael Russo May 25, 2020 protocols by Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the PGA.

The NHL’s Phase 2 protocols were 29 pages. Imagine what it’ll read like once protocols are announced for training camp and a return to actual Devan Dubnyk is one of the elder statesmen on the NHL Players’ hockey games. Association’s 31-player executive board. COMPREHENSIVE PHASE 2 NHL-NHLPA PROTOCOLS. GRAB A POT Between Edmonton and Minnesota, this is the 34-year-old’s eighth OF COFFEE AND PERUSE HTTPS://T.CO/0B9WDS8FSC season representing his teammates on either the Oilers or Wild. — MICHAEL RUSSO (@RUSSOHOCKEY) MAY 25, 2020 So, the Wild goaltender has cast countless votes on behalf of teammates, whether it be critical issues like passing the collective As an executive board member, Dubnyk and his 30 counterparts are bargaining agreement to end the 2012-13 lockout and electing against required to be in constant communication with their teammates to know re-opening that same CBA last fall, to things like pulling the trigger on where the players sit on various issues. That’s because the executive salary cap escalators and consenting to NHL realignment. board members represent their team’s wishes by casting the votes for the rest of the players on most issues. But Dubnyk isn’t sure there has been a vote as misconstrued as last week’s one by the players to approve a 24-team Return to Play format in But like the end of the 2012-13 lockout, Dubnyk thinks there’s a good the event the NHL resumes the 2019-20 season later this summer. possibility that the executive board will want to call on a full-member vote of 700-plus players. “In the event” is still the key phrase. “There’s certain times when it’s not as important to have 700-plus voices, On Monday, the NHL announced a comprehensive protocol that must be but this is a scenario where we need to hear from as many players as we followed to begin Phase 2 (the opening of team facilities so players can possibly can,” Dubnyk said, “and those conversations are going to start voluntarily work out in maximum groups of six) early next month. As early to happen very soon here with small group conversations. Then, as an as Tuesday, the NHL is expected to announce exactly how the 24-team executive board, we can decide if we feel this needs to be an entire union return to play format will work. vote with 700 players. We can do that. It rarely happens, but this might “But that does not mean hockey’s back,” Dubnyk asserted during a be a case where it should. phone conversation with The Athletic. “We still have a long way to go.” “And (NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr) is terrific with this stuff. Dubnyk doesn’t want to be a buzzkill, but he thinks it’s important for Don’s always so adamant about having as many people involved as everyone to understand there are still lots of hurdles ahead as both sides possible. He constantly preaches, ‘Everybody, as many guys as we can try to navigate the murky waters of return to play in the midst of a global get involved, as many guys that we can get educated, as many voices as pandemic. we can hear from.’ And that’s a difficult job because he’s managing 700- plus players. You have 31 owners, you’ve got 700-plus players, so it’s a “We voted strictly on the format,” Dubnyk said. “In other words, ‘If we are completely different dynamic.” to come back, this is how it’s going to be played.’ But we have not even touched on logistics or cities or travel or testing or how the economics will As we just saw with the 29-2 vote to approve the 24-team return to play work or what this quarantine bubble (the players are) supposed to live in format, it was quickly leaked that Tampa Bay and Carolina voted against will be like or any of that stuff yet. the format for different reasons. That put respective player reps Alex Killorn and Jordan Martinook in the uncomfortable position of having to “Nothing else has been voted on … yet.” explain why their teams voted a certain way.

Again, yet is the operative word. CANES WENT FROM 80% CHANCE TO MAKE PLAYOFFS TO A COIN FLIP VS A NYR TEAM THAT WAS 4-0 AGAINST THEM. LOTS OF Dubnyk made clear that another vote will “absolutely” be necessary by TEAMS FELT THERE WAS SOME INEQUITY; CAROLINA JUST HAD the players once all these details are negotiated between the NHL and THE FORTITUDE TO VOTE AGAINST THE FORMAT. BUT IT WAS NHLPA. NEVER THAT THE CANES DIDN’T WANT TO PLAY “I think it’s really important to start having these conversations with as HTTPS://T.CO/WMFFAX79WQ many players as we can about, ‘Guys, what scenarios are we OK with?’” — MICHAEL RUSSO (@RUSSOHOCKEY) MAY 25, 2020 Dubnyk said. “From what it sounds like, it’s going to be some sort of hub city scenario, so we’ve got to talk about that. How long are guys OK with This next decision by the players will be such a delicate and personal being away for? When we are in this city, are we locked in our hotel one that if by chance the players vote down a return to play, it would be room? Going from the hotel room to the rink and back only, are guys OK unfair if members of the executive board become the front men to have with just doing that? Can our families come with us, or if there’s a family to explain to fans why they chose not to bring hockey back this summer. emergency and we leave the bubble (to go back into society), can we return to the bubble or are we done? What’s the food situation? Like, can The 29-2 vote on the 24-team format may seem like a landslide, but we only eat in our hotel rooms? How often are we tested? Who pays for that’s a little deceiving. that? What’s the damage economically to the sport? First of all, let’s be honest, the vote started 7-0 because it’s fair to “All of these things, and there’s so many variables, need to be talked presume the seven teams that weren’t going to be included had no about and we’ve got to start getting a grasp on it now so that it doesn’t motivation to return to play anyway so they would not oppose the format. just hit us in the face all of a sudden. This stuff hasn’t been discussed Also, as TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported, “designated player with the players. Everything’s just been so hypothetical. So that’s what representatives from at least six or seven teams asked to discuss the I’m hoping is going to come out of this now because we don’t want a matters internally with their teammates on Friday before casting a vote.” situation where it seems like, ‘OK, everybody’s ready to go, let’s get back and play,’ and then all of a sudden guys are like, ‘Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. Dubnyk wouldn’t discuss voting specifics, but reading between the lines, I’m not OK with that.’ And then it goes from like super-positive to super- the Wild were one of those teams. By the time a lot of those player reps negative. So that’s why we’ve got to talk about everything, and then have returned to vote, it’s thought that Fehr already had enough votes to a vote once and for all.” continue the negotiation process anyway.

An NHLPA spokesman confirmed it’ll be up to the executive board to The next vote could be a lot closer. determine if there’s another vote, and there’s a good chance of that “There’s so much uncertainty with everything that’s gone on in the world and different guys feel different ways when it comes to return to play and health and safety,” Dubnyk said. “It’s difficult because in the past I’ve always had good confidence in voting on things and knowing that I was voting for what the guys would want. In this scenario, it’s hard because a lot of stuff is split down the middle or very close.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185286 Websites Each team will appoint a hygiene officer who must be a nurse, occupational health and safety professional or infection control professional. The hygiene officer will provide all staff with color-coded badges to indicate their level of contact with players. Hygiene officers will The Athletic / Key points of the NHL’s Phase 2 protocols for small group prepare a weekly report ensuring that protocols laid out for Phase 2 are workouts being observed and further provide information regarding non- compliance.

Teams will be required to record symptoms and temperatures of By Scott Burnside May 25, 2020 individuals on a daily basis. All personnel who will be taking part in Phase 2 activities will have an app that they would use to record those details prior to arriving at the team facilities. Additionally the team’s designated As the hockey world awaits the NHL’s formal announcement on a return hygiene officer will establish procedures for a separate temperature and to play model, the league and its players are plotting the first tentative symptom check at the facility before players or staff can enter. steps toward a resumption of play later this summer by revealing protocols for the first post-quarantine hockey activities. Similar tests will be administered for staff entering the building/rink who don’t have access to the players and a daily log will be kept for all those The document governing the Phase 2 transition period from self- entering the facilities. quarantine to small group workouts at NHL team facilities was sent to the NHL’s Board of Governors, NHL GMs, team presidents, the heads of All players will undergo a pre-Phase 2 medical evaluation with a focus on medical and training staff, and NHL players on Sunday evening. existing injuries, medical conditions and cardiac screening. Staff with access to players will also undergo a medical evaluation and teams could The document, which covers a vast array of issues from testing to on-ice ask that staff not in contact with players do the same. Anyone confirmed protocol to the cleaning of equipment and transport to and from rinks, to have had COVID-19 or is suspected of having had the virus will was sent by deputy commissioner Bill Daly, senior vice president and undergo further testing. deputy general counsel Julie Grand and the NHL’s chief medical officer Dr. Willem Meeuwisse. Anyone who develops symptoms or is sharing a home with someone who develops symptoms must notify club medical staff and self-isolate. The league is targeting early June for the introduction of Phase 2, They must also inform team medical staff if they believe they’ve come in although when exactly it will begin and how long it will last is as yet contact with someone who is positive for the virus. Medical staff will unknown. direct care for anyone who tests positive. Contact tracing will be conducted by the team or in conjunction with local health officials The specific circumstances different markets are dealing with vis a vis immediately after a positive test has been reported. the COVID-19 virus may impact this timing and, in fact, individual teams were asked as part of the protocol delivered Sunday to provide feedback It isn’t anticipated that an isolated positive test would require a to the league on their ability to implement the various procedures widespread quarantine of the club, although those teammates and staff outlined. that may have had contact with a person with a positive test will be tested and the league and NHLPA are to be alerted if there is a positive test. In short, this is very much a work in progress. Activities that are permitted during Phase 2 include skating without Worth noting is that no discussion of a training camp that would logically contact. No coaches of any kind can participate in on-ice sessions. follow a successful Phase 2 and the actual return of on-ice competition Goalies may get additional ice time but skaters must have equal access was addressed in this document. to ice time and a schedule will be established that must be followed. Player participation in Phase 2 is strictly voluntary and teams cannot Players can also access in small group exercise and weight training force players to take part or even return to their club cities, which might areas at the team’s facility. require further self-quarantine depending on where players have been Players are not allowed to work out or skate at any other facility and located during the cessation of league activity in mid-March. cannot organize their own player skates. NHL teams can reopen their training facilities to allow a maximum of six Coaches and hockey operations staff can observe the on-ice activities players at any one time plus a limited number of club staff. This will only but must sit in an area separate from players and player access staff and be permitted in communities where health officials have agreed that such aren’t to have in-person contact with those people. activities can be undertaken. If there are areas where teams can’t open their facilities, the league will work with those teams to find alternative Fitness testing of players is not permitted during Phase 2. arrangements to address issues of competitive balance. Players will stay in the same small group (six or less) for all of Phase 2 to Players who must travel to their team cities but do not have a permanent lessen the potential for the virus to spread throughout the team. The residence in those cities will be provided hotel accommodations for number of those players who can work out at any one time will be Phase 2, including family if families are accompanying them. determined by the physical space of the workout or weight area and will be based on social distancing guidelines. Players aren’t to enter the Even if local health regulations don’t require a 14-day self-quarantine, facility except for designated workout and on-ice times. players traveling to team cities by public transportation of any kind such as commercial air or rail must undergo a 14-day self-quarantine before Players must maintain social distancing during on-ice workouts as well. taking part in these small group sessions. Team medical staff may also request self-quarantine if players are returning from “high-risk” Seven days after the start of Phase 2, goaltenders can employ an environments. independent goalie coach, contracted by them, to work with them on a one-on-one basis. Those coaches will have to follow established Testing of asymptomatic players and staff is only to be conducted in guidelines for social distancing and testing. communities where there is an excess of testing capacity so as not to take away from health care workers, those who are most vulnerable to The schedule of workouts on and off ice must allow for proper contracting COVID-19 and those members of the community who are disinfecting of equipment, and workout and change areas, and prevent showing symptoms. overlap of different groups.

All players and staff who have access to players taking part in Phase 2 Players are encouraged to shower at home and must leave all workout are to be tested 48 hours prior to returning to club facilities with the gear at the team facility where it will be washed by team staff. expectation that results will be available within 24 hours. If those results Each team will have the same number of staff per small group session aren’t available, players and staff cannot enter the team facilities until the and cannot exceed one athletic trainer, one strength and conditioning test results are available. Assuming testing can be arranged, teams are coach, one equipment manager, one or two dressing room attendants, expected to arrange for regular testing of players and staff who will club doctor and, as described above, one goalie coach hired by the interact with players at least twice a week. goalie. The league is also exploring a league-wide polymerase chain reaction As much as possible, each group of up to six players will have a different (PCR) testing program. athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and equipment manager to reduce the possibility of cross-infection. Teams may employ staff from their AHL affiliate to accomplish this.

The following groups of people are not allowed access to the team facilities during Phase 2: media, player agents, massage therapists, chiropractors, player performance personnel, family members and other members of the public.

Players from other teams who are sheltering in place near another team’s facilities can ask to use those facilities for on-ice and weight room workouts. Teams can deny such requests but must inform the league and NHLPA of such a refusal for their review.

Players are expected to wear face coverings (cloth or surgical style masks) at all times when entering and leaving team facilities and where social distancing cannot be maintained. These are not required when players are exercising or on the ice.

Players should avoid carpooling and/or taking public transportation to the team’s facilities. This includes taxis and ride-sharing services.

Players aren’t to use saunas, steam rooms, hot and cold tubs.

There is to be no shared use of supplements, gels, balms or creams. Water bottles must be marked by the player’s number and not shared. Meals that are provided by the team will be individually wrapped or packaged and must be consumed at home and not at the team’s facility.

All towels must be considered single-use and should not be shared.

The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185287 Websites Visa hoops are more common in the middle of the season when a player is traded from a Canadian team to an American team or vice versa at the deadline. When the Stars traded for Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames in 2016, he didn’t have a visa — he was a Canadian playing for a The Athletic / How the NHL handles immigration and what it means for Canadian team. In that case, the Stars worked to super-expedite the Return to Play plan Russell’s visa and the team was waiting on results in Nashville to see if he could play less than 24 hours after a trade.

“I remember pacing and calling back to the office down here (in Frisco) By Sean Shapiro May 25, 2020 just waiting for the fax to come through,” Rademan said. “Throughout the day, the question from (then coach) Lindy (Ruff) was, ‘Can he play or not?’ And we didn’t get the fax in Texas until close to 4 or 5 p.m. Once The NHL is doing everything it can to return. But before the league we got that he was ready to go.” returns to the ice, it will need to ensure that a large base of international players can immigrate back to the United States and Canada, and have Players being traded from one American team to another make for an the approval to work there legally after doing so. easier process. While there is paperwork to file, teams have 30 days from the date of the trade to change the ’employer’ line on the player’s There’s a long to-do list as the NHL moves forward with its 24-team visa. This is what happened last season in the Mats Zuccarello trade, return-to-play proposal. The NHLPA approved the format on Friday, and and why he was able to play for Dallas less than 14 hours after the trade the plan is expected to be formally announced by the league on Tuesday. was completed. While many of those key questions will be answered directly, solving for player immigration and expiring visas will require cooperation between Rademan said teams across the league have their own visa stories, and the players, teams, the league and dozens of countries. each year at the draft, team services directors often get together to discuss best practices and things that have or haven’t worked for The NHL will be the most-impacted amongst the major sports leagues as individual teams. The Stars have a large Finnish contingent. If a team is return-to-play protocols are tackled. With 24 teams in the United States, bringing in their first Finn, they might turn to Dallas to ask about best Americans are the minority in the NHL; at the time of the stoppage, only practices the Stars have used when it comes to securing their visas. eight teams in the 31-team league had 10 Americans or more on their roster. “This year with Andrej Sekera, it was the first time in a while I’ve dealt with immigration from Slovakia, so if I needed help I know other team Players still under contract for the 2020-21 season, in most cases, won’t services people I could turn to about their experiences,” Rademan said. be an issue. When teams apply for their work visa, the length of time “It’s not like you’ve got teams trying to screw each other over; we do our typically coincides with the contract. Tyler Seguin’s visa, for example, best as a league to make sure all of this stuff goes smoothly in any runs through 2027 just like the contract he signed in 2018. situation.”

But players on expiring contracts, both pending restricted and It’s that collaboration and the NHL’s leadership that make Rademan unrestricted free agents, can’t legally work in the United States after June confident any and all visa issues will be sorted out before the 2019-20 30. The Dallas Stars have eight players who fall under this category — season resumes. The NHL and NHLPA are working on a document that plus Miro Heiskanen, whose visa expires this summer because his entry- will officially extend expiring contracts to the end of the 2019-20 season level contract had a rookie slide after he spent the first year of the deal in instead of June 30, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo. That Finland. should be enough proof to extend visas for international players.

Stars director of team services Jason Rademan helped explain the visa Rademan said the NHL was proactive back in March about finding any process to The Athletic in a phone call this weekend. potential immigration issues. Teams were asked to send an updated list of when visas and green cards expire so the league could take that into Across the NHL, directors of team services handle immigration in a account when trying to get back on the ice. Green cards are good for 10 similar fashion. Early in the offseason, usually in early July after free years before they need to be renewed; the Stars’ only player with a green agency has been completed, teams will send visa applications to United card, Jamie Benn, is still covered. So are the Stars coaches, most of States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When Rademan whom have green cards. submits the applications for Stars players, he also includes a copy of the press release from when they signed and their career statistics; Last Friday, United States acting secretary of homeland security Chad immediate proof to fulfill the P-1A requirement that the applicant is an Wolf signed an order lifting travel restrictions on professional athletes exceptional athlete coming to work in the United States. returning to the country. That’s a measure that could indicate there won’t be too much pushback when it comes to expediting the process of In the offseason, the typical turnaround time for the visa is 10 to 14 days, extending visas for players as the league moves forward, although for according to Rademan. Once approved by USCIS, the next step varies players who returned to Europe or Russia the rules in their country will by nationality. Canadians are now cleared after getting the green light also have to allow them to leave the country. from the U.S. Government. Players in Europe and Russia have to take an additional step and need to visit the American consulate in their home The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 country. The players will take the document that Rademan sent them and go in for an interview. Once completing that interview, the player will get the stamp in their passport that makes it legal for them to come and work in the United States.

In most cases, it’s a smooth offseason process. But there are hurdles that can pop up.

The Athletic / DGB weekend power rankings: Please enjoy this rerun A 24-team postseason. Good lord. Let’s start handing out points for from January 1980 losing too, while we’re at it.

Anyway, the one piece of good news is that at least we got rid of that weird preliminary round where only some of the teams had to face off in By Sean McIndoe May 25, 2020 shorter series. That was a total crapshoot, and nobody even knew whether it was supposed to count as a real playoff series or not. I won’t

miss those. Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing pause to the NHL season, we are once But yeah, 16 teams are making the playoffs this year. I know it seems again dipping into the archives to air a Weekend Rankings rerun from a like a lot, but we’ll have to get used to it. previous season. Please enjoy this week’s power rankings, which originally ran on Monday, Jan. 7, 1980. 5. Chicago Black Hawks (15-13-12, +1 true goals differential*) – They’re barely .500 and they can’t score, but they’re still running away with the The Philadelphia Flyers played last night, and stop me if you’ve heard Smythe because it’s the worst division in hockey. Hey, at least it won’t be this one before, they didn’t lose. won by a 73-point team like it was last year. Man, the Smythe is terrible. I Oh wait, you have heard that one. In fact, you’ve heard it for nearly three guess we might as well get used to saying that because some things straight months, because the Flyers haven’t lost since their second game never change. of the season. That’s 35 in a row, if you’re keeping track. 4. Montreal Canadiens (18-16-6, +12) – I know, I know, I should show the You figured that if the streak was ever going to end, last night would be defending champs more respect. They’ve won four straight Cups, after the night. The Flyers were five games into their road trip as they all. Shouldn’t a dynasty team be the favorites? prepared to face the Sabres, the league’s second-best team. With six Yes, they should, but this isn’t that dynasty team. There’s no Ken wins in their last eight games, Buffalo has started to pull away in the Dryden, or Yvan Cournoyer, or Jacques Lemaire. There’s no Scotty Adams. Add in the extra motivation of having lost to many of these same Bowman. Another year without Sam Pollock. They’re already on their Flyers in the Stanley Cup final just a few years ago, you would think that second coach, after literally giving their first coach ulcers. This isn’t the if anyone could end the streak, it would be Buffalo. same team that rolled over everyone for the last half-decade. Nope. Bill Barber broke a third-period tie, Rick MacLeish added the They’re still good. Guy Lafleur should get 50 goals, and Steve Shutt insurance marker with five minutes left, and the Flyers cruised to a 4-2 might get there too. So could Pierre Larouche. They’ve still got Larry final. Ho-hum. Throw another win on the pile. Robinson and new captain, Serge Savard. Rod Langway looks like a With 35 straight games without a loss, the Flyers have already shattered future Norris winner that they’ll definitely hold on to. And on the right the NHL record, set just a few years ago by the Canadiens; that night, the combo of Mario Tremblay and Rejean Houle can drive a milestone came and went weeks ago. Friday night’s 4-1 win over the goaltender crazy. Rangers nudged them ahead of 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers for the So they deserve some respect, which is why they’re in the top five. Can longest undefeated streak in pro sports history. Granted, that Lakers they win a fifth straight Cup? I guess we can’t count them out. But at the team had to win all those games because the NBA doesn’t have ties, risk of overdoing my Philadelphia love-in, I’d advise Montreal fans to which are a fundamental and immutable part of hockey, but it’s still an watch tonight’s Flyers/North Stars game, because good luck getting past impressive feat. that team in the playoffs. And there’s no end in sight. I mean … what are we even holding the rest 3. Boston Bruins (21-11-5, +32) – First-year head coach Fred Creighton of the season for? Just give the Stanley Cup to the Flyers, and let’s be continues to do a great job, and seems like the long-term answer behind done with it. They’re literally unbeatable. the bench. But the big story is rookie defenceman Ray Bourque, who’s OK, I’m being a little facetious here – obviously you can’t just shut down stepped in as a 19-year-old and already looks like one of the best an NHL season before it’s finished. But it sure does feel like everyone blueliners in the league. He’s not especially big or physical, so you have else is playing for second place at this point. And to make matters worse, to wonder how long he can last in the league. But he can do just about there’s no reason to think that the Flyers’ dominance is a one-year everything else, and it’s not hard to envision him being the guy who phenomenon. Mark my words, there’s a new dynasty on the horizon, and brings the Stanley Cup back to Boston. it’s coming straight out of the Patrick Division. 2. Buffalo Sabres (26-11-3, +45) – They’re running away with the Wales, In the meantime, the Flyers cap off their six-game road trip tonight in which is impressive even if it feels a little bit meaningless since Minnesota. The North Stars are a good team, but we know how this is conferences don’t matter in the new playoff format. Last night’s loss to going to turn out. It’s going to be a long time before the Flyers lose the Flyers was tough, but this team is less than a month removed from a another game this year. Or maybe that should be if they lose another nine-game winning streak, the goaltending tandem of Bob Sauve and game. Don Edwards is among the best in the league, and Danny Gare is on pace for 50 goals. They should have an easy run to the final as long as On to this week’s rankings. Hey, I bet you’ll never guess who’s No. 1. none of the middle-of-the-pack teams magically get way better over the next few weeks. Road to the Cup 1. Philadelphia Flyers (26-1-10, +53) – Of course. Look, there’s still half a The five teams that look like they’re headed towards a summer of Rubik’s season left, and nothing is wrapped up, but this might go down in history Cubes, Pac-Man and taking the Stanley Cup to see Empire Strikes Back. as the greatest NHL team of all time. Certainly, one that everyone will I don’t know about you, but I’m still adjusting to the new playoff format. recognize among the most dominant. After years of having an even dozen teams make the playoffs, the NHL is And sure, they’ll lose again at some point during the season, probably expanding the format to 16 teams this year. And let’s just come right out more than a few times. But in the playoffs? Four times in one series? and say it: That’s way too many. That seems like it’s over the line. Yes, the league went from 17 teams to 21 this season due to the WHA *Goals differential without adjusting for how many players on each team merger. There’s some logic to adding extra playoff spots when you add can’t skate backward. more teams. But having 12 out of 17 teams make the playoffs meant that 70 percent of the league got in. Now, with 16 out of 21, it’s all the way up Not ranked: New York Islanders – There’s just something missing. to 76 percent. That’s crazy. Yes, you want to get as many teams involved in the playoff race as possible, because that’s how you keep all your I’m not sure what it is, but it’s there. Or rather, it’s not there. And unless markets interested. But there has to be a limit. they can find it, a franchise that’s just one year removed from finishing first overall and that seemed to be on its way to becoming a powerhouse I mean, imagine if the league keeps this up. We’re told that further is going to be an early out in the playoffs. expansion will arrive someday. What are we going to do when there are That’s if they even make it; they’re only eight points up on the 17th-place barely crack 30 points and fourth-rounder Glenn Anderson is off playing Whalers, so it’s no sure thing. They’re lucky that the format was for the national team instead of the NHL. They’d better smarten up for expanded this year because that might be the only thing that gets them this year’s draft. I’d suggest trying to find a defenceman with some in. They’re sitting at 15-16-6 today, trailing 11 teams in the standings. speed, and maybe a winger with some finish. They’re tied with the Maple Leafs, for goodness sake, and the Leafs are last in the Adams. 2. Washington Capitals (10-23-6, -29) – They’re going to miss the playoffs, they give up almost four goals a game and they’ll have to finish So yeah, something is missing. And that’s a problem because it’s next to strong down the stretch just to get into the mid-60s for points. impossible to make significant changes midway through a season. Could they make a trade? Probably. I’m not even sure. I think there’s a deadline This is the most successful season in franchise history. Really. That’s not at some point during the year, but nobody ever pays attention to that. a joke.

And sure, I know what the Islander fans are saying: The missing piece is These poor fans. I can’t wait until this team starts making the playoffs Ken Morrow, the young American defenceman who’s expected to join the and they can finally be happy. team in a few weeks once the Olympics are done. He’s playing for that 1. Colorado Rockies (12-23-3, -22) – They’re duking it out with the national team now, and Islander faithful keep telling me how much hopeless Caps and ugly Oilers for dead last. But that’s not even the experience he’ll gain in Lake Placid. To which I always reply: Experience worst part, because unlike those teams, the Rockies don’t even have with what? Getting his ass kicked by the Soviets? their own first-round pick.

Maybe Morrow ends up being the guy. Miracles happen. But I don’t like Thank Sam Pollock for that one, as he ripped off the Rockies way back in their odds, and if he’s not the answer, I’m not sure where else they can 1976 by sending them Ron Andruff and Sean Shanahan for their 1980 turn. But they’d better figure out what the missing piece of the puzzle is. first. Those two combined to play four seasons and score 20 goals in Because right now, the hole in the lineup is king-sized. Colorado. Today, Shanahan is out of hockey, while Andruff is in Europe. The bottom five And the Habs own what might be the first overall pick in the NHL draft.

The five teams that are in the running to finish dead last and earn the first It’s almost unfair. I mean, these are the Canadiens we’re talking about. overall pick. They could win a fifth straight Stanley Cup this spring. And if they get the top pick, we all know who they’re taking: Denis Savard, the next great The bad news for the teams in this section is that they’re awful. The young French superstar. He’s the consensus top pick, literally plays in worse news is that this year’s draft isn’t anywhere near as good as last Montreal right now and is on pace for a 180-point junior season. He’s the year’s edition. Granted, we knew that would be the case since the 1979 kind of player that teams trade Norris winners for, and the Habs might get draft was a double-cohort that may go down as among the very best in him for basically nothing. history. Bourque will probably win the Calder, but guys like Mike Gartner, Mark Howe and Michel Goulet have shown flashes too. It’s an impressive Curse you, Colorado Rockies. You’re devils in disguise. rookie class. Not ranked: Toronto Maple Leafs – Speaking of bad trades involving the Next year? Not so much. Sure, there are a handful of can’t-miss Rockies, the dust is still settling on last week’s four-player deal that sent prospects who should be available a few picks in, like Rick Lanz and Lanny McDonald to the Rockies. Doug Wickenheiser. But other than that, the top ten figures to mainly be Leaf fans aren’t happy about the move, and you can understand why – a bunch of indistinguishable blue line prospects like Darren Veitch, Larry McDonald was one of the team’s most popular players. At the same time, Murphy, Fred Arthur and Paul Coffey. I’m sure they’ll all turn out to be Pat Hickey and Wilf Paiement aren’t bad. And while you never want to solid depth guys, but I don’t see any Hall-of-Famers in that bunch. give up early on a young defenceman, it’s not like Joel Quenneville is the 5. Atlanta Flames (14-18-5, -11) – The talent is there, and you keep sort of guy who’s going to lead a team to multiple Cups. waiting for them to climb up in the standings. It hasn’t happened yet, but So we’ll see. For now, the Leafs are last in the Adams, but still you figure it has to at some point. I’ll rank them here for now, but don’t be comfortably in a playoff spot. More importantly, they finally made it out of surprised if they’re making a big move north by the end of the year. the 1970s. Man, that was an awful decade for Maple Leaf fans. When it 4. Hartford Whalers (9-18-10, -19) – Man, these new WHA teams all began, the team was only three years removed from a championship. In suck. the ten years since, they’ve faded into irrelevance, not even so much as making it to the final. The drought is at thirteen years and counting, by far Sorry, I know that’s harsh. But all four newcomers are struggling, with the the longest in franchise history. And it doesn’t show signs of ending any Whalers and Oilers sitting in last place in their divisions and the Jets only time soon. slightly ahead. The Nordiques are at least hanging around .500, which is good news considering they’ve already sent their first-round pick to the Still, there’s room for some optimism. They’ve still got Borje Salming. Hawks. But when “almost .500 and without much hope for the future” is Darryl Sittler is mad about the McDonald trade now, but he’ll get over that your success story, you know it’s been a rough merger. quickly. Tiger Williams seems like the sort of guy who’ll be around for a while. Punch Imlach is a GM who knows how to win. Carl Brewer is back, Still, it’s been undeniably cool to see Gordie Howe in the NHL again, and his teammates will probably love playing with him. And they’ve got even at 51 years old. The old guy can still produce, so here’s hoping the their long-term goalie in Mike Palmateer. league does the right thing and finds a spot for him in next month’s All- Star Game in Detroit. So yeah, good riddance to the 1970s, the most embarrassing decade the team has ever known. Will the 1980s be better? Don’t worry, Leaf fans, 3. Edmonton Oilers (9-19-9, -35) – The story of the season is still Wayne they’d pretty much have to be. Gretzky, who’s on pace for the greatest debut season in NHL history. The league insists that he’s not a rookie, for reasons nobody is entirely The Athletic LOADED: 05.26.2020 clear on, but that hardly matters. He’s giving Marcel Dionne a run for his money in the Art Ross race, and might even get a few Hart votes.

Is he already the face of the league? Let’s slow down. Forgive me for being skeptical, but it’s one thing to rack up points when your team is losing high-scoring games every night. But in the playoffs, everything tightens up, and you have to figure out how to win a tight 5-4 struggle. Not to mention the physical side – this kid looks like he’s about 120 pounds, and he’s not going to go his whole career without getting hit. Let’s see him last a few years and maybe get the Oilers into the playoffs before we start placing this kid among the great ones.

But sure, Gretzky is decent. The rest of the team, not so much, largely because of what’s looking like a disastrous 1979 draft. They used their first-round pick in a stacked draft to grab mediocre defenceman Kevin Lowe, third-round pick Mark Messier already looks like a bust who’ll 1185289 Websites and the NHL acknowledged in its Monday memo that they “cannot mitigate all risk.”

“A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome,” the Sportsnet.ca / NHLers face new normal as league prepares to ramp up league wrote. toward return to play Anyone who develops symptoms and/or tests positive for COVID-19, or shares a home with someone who does, must immediately notify the team’s medical staff. They will be isolated and provided treatment, if Chris Johnston May 25, 2020, 4:39 PM needed.

There could be serious consequences for any teams that don’t comply with the measures put in place by the league. Penalties include fines, Before NHL players are permitted to step back inside a team facility they loss of draft choices, and ineligibility to participate in the resumption of must first have a swab inserted roughly four centimetres into their nasal play. cavity. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 05.26.2020 Laboratory-based RT-PCR testing is used to detect any active or recent infection with COVID-19, and will be administered 48 hours prior.

The next stage of life in the time of the novel coronavirus for players and team staff will then include at least two more of those tests each week, plus daily temperature and symptom checks — one self-administered at home and another from medical personnel upon arrival at the facility.

All of that just to walk through the door.

You want to get on the ice? Well, there’s a pre-participation medical exam, which includes an EKG test and screening for pre-existing conditions, to be administered before that can happen.

What resonates most about the NHL’s return-to-sport protocol is how much meticulous effort will be required just to get six players working out inside the rink together, never mind what’s still to come when teams progress to training camps or actually start playing games again.

The league hopes to reopen team facilities for small-group workouts as soon as next week and has set out the requirements for doing so. The protocol distributed to teams and players early Monday leaves no detail uncovered and paints a scene unlike any that would typically play out in these buildings.

On the ice, no more than six players are allowed to participate in non- contact skates at a time. Coaches, including those for skating and skills, can’t take part (an exception will be granted for goalie coaches after the first week of training).

Off the ice, everyone must remain at least six feet apart and players are discouraged from socializing with one another. A cloth or surgical mask must be worn when entering and exiting the building and at any point where social distancing can’t be maintained. Exercise and weight room equipment is permitted for use, providing a spotter isn’t required, and players can receive individual treatment from athletic therapists and team doctors.

But they won’t be granted access to saunas, hot tubs or steam rooms and are encouraged to shower at home whenever possible.

The groups of six (or less) will remain constant and essentially be assigned a rotating shift for when they’re allowed in the facility. Where possible, teams have been told to assign a different athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach and equipment manager to each group.

That will ensure any infection or exposure will be contained within the group and should help facilitate contact tracing.

The facility must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each training session. That includes locker-room areas and circuit-based training equipment. Players are required to leave all workout gear inside the facility for cleaning and can only take supplements provided in single- dispense packs.

Single-use beverages or snacks such as power bars can be consumed by players inside the facility, but any meals prepared and packaged by the catering staff must be taken home before they’re eaten.

This promises to be a different experience for players who largely haven’t been back inside team facilities since the season was paused on March 12. The small-group sessions starting in early June are strictly voluntary, but they’re viewed as an important step in trying to complete a 24-team tournament for the Stanley Cup — especially for the large number of guys unable to skate during the last three months.

The detailed nature of protocols being put in place reflect how challenging it is to contain the spread of germs in a team environment, 1185290 Websites The best non-Boston combination over the years? That honour belongs to Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, who put together an all-time run in San Jose. Pavelski and Thornton were about one goal better than their opponents per 60 minutes, and that discounts the magic they were able TSN.CA / Searching for the NHL version of Jordan and Pippen to create on the power play over the years.

Reliving the Chicago Bulls duo’s dominance in ‘The Last Dance’ made Let’s look at this in two other ways. What if we drop the ice time Travis Yost wonder which NHL player combinations over the past decade restriction and bring in players with, say, 2,000 minutes together? might be comparable. One thing that’s obvious is once you minimize the effect of longevity, teams with very strong peaks – the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning being the most obvious – see a number of player combinations By Travis Yost added.

No combination drove better goal differentials this decade than Like everything in Michael Jordan’s orbit, The Last Dance – a 10-part Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby, who were a whopping 1.8 documentary series that concluded on ESPN and Netflix last week – was goals per 60 minutes better than their opponents. And, I cannot iconic and memorable. If not for the fact that it was virtually the only fresh emphasize this enough: at their peak, they probably were the most sports content available during a global pandemic, then because it gave unstoppable offensive force in the league. That’s 3.8 goals scored per 60 us incredible insight into one of the most dominant athletes of all time. minutes for years upon years! If you had to pick one pairing to match-up against any Boston combination, it probably would be these two. One part of the series that really stood out were the middle episodes that focused on Jordan’s famous sidekick, Scottie Pippen. Jordan and Pippen Lastly, what about the best single season? This data gets noisier to be are perhaps the most legendary duo in sports, the core underpinning sure, so let’s make sure the combinations were regular – minimum 500 Chicago’s six titles from 1991-98. minutes.

Like Jordan, Pippen was an electric two-way player who could beat you If you had Jamie Benn and Valeri Nichushkin as the best single-season on both sides of the floor. When the two were on the court together, they combination of the decade, raise your hand. If your hand is raised, you outscored opponents at a disproportionate rate. Relative to their 1990s are either a Dallas Stars fan or are lying! I did find it interesting that only peers, Jordan and Pippen ranked first and seventh respectively in Box one combination from the 2019-20 regular season made this list – that Plus/Minus. honour belonging to Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, who put together a pretty outrageous +2.1 goals per 60 minutes split this season Reliving the duo’s dominance made me wonder which NHL player in Tampa Bay. combinations over the past decade might be comparable. No duo has even come close to winning that amount of team hardware over the If we learned one thing from The Last Dance, it’s that even superstars of period – in large part because parity in hockey is omnipresent, and it’s the highest order benefit from playing with great teammates. Bergeron much less a star-driven league than the NBA. But we do know of a isn’t the same without his defensive anchor or winger pest; the Sedin number of player combinations that drove similarly disproportionate brothers’ story isn’t the same if they aren’t identical twins with incredible differentials against the opposition. two-way skill sets, and so on.

Let’s try to find some comparables for the Jordan/Pippen combination. Finding dominant player combinations in hockey over multiple years is First, we will focus on the player combinations that drove the most quite hard, but perhaps that’s what makes what we have seen in Boston disproportionate goal differentials together over the past decade. Then (plus Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Chicago) even more we will look at the best single season net goal differential, searching for admirable. the magic Jordan and Pippen recreated during the 1995-96 regular TSN.CA LOADED: 05.26.2020 season.

First, the full decade. I wanted to isolate on the combinations that we saw extensively, and the 4,000-minute cutoff (leaving us with 29 pairings) seemed the most appropriate. None of these combinations should surprise:

If you were solely looking at ice time, the longevity of two combinations – Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron in Boston, and the Sedin twins in Vancouver – would get first consideration.

Those duos are the only two members of the 7,000-minute club, and with both of Boston’s premier forwards signed through at least 2021-22, they still have a good chance at building on their legacy. What is particularly incredible about these two combinations is they maintained outrageous goal differentials over nearly a full decade, aging curves be damned. Over thousands of minutes, both were about a full goal better than their opponents for every 60 minutes of even-strength hockey. That is incredible!

Of course, this first pass weighs longevity rather heavily. What about players who played less together for any variety of reasons, and were able to carry more impressive goal differentials than either of the above?

Consider the Boston duo of Marchand and Bergeron for one moment. If we looked at their net goal differentials when one of those forwards were playing with legendary defenceman Zdeno Chara, those numbers improve – in fact, none of the combinations posted better net-goal differentials than the likes of Marchand/Chara and Bergeron/Chara, who outscored their opponents by about 1.4 goals per 60 minutes this decade.

The caveat here is obvious: Marchand and Bergeron rarely play apart from one another, so when you bring Chara into the fold, you really are looking at the net goal differentials of all three skaters together. As a trio, there is no doubt this was the most dominant group in the league, and they have a Stanley Cup to boot. 1185291 World Leagues News Alex Killorn, the Lightning’s player representative said Sunday in an interview with The Athletic that his teammates opposed the format because of competitive imbalance between the top seeds and everyone else. National Hockey League Edges Toward Restart With Detailed Plans The Coronavirus Outbreak

Frequently Asked Questions and Advice By Andrew Knoll Updated May 20, 2020 May 25, 2020 How can I protect myself while flying?

If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect A game once played outdoors in subzero temperatures and wool yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your sweaters may soon crown its champion during the swelter of summer. face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a On Monday, the National Hockey League sent a memo to players and window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with members of the news media detailing a plan to resume its season with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your voluntary workouts as soon as early June after a layoff of more than two seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard months. surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the The announcement came after a vote last week in which the executive remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard board of the N.H.L.’s players association approved a proposal for a 24- and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. team playoff, scrapping the dozen or so games remaining in each team’s (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and regular season. Discussions are continuing between the league and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) union on how, and where, to resume play, which would almost certainly What are the symptoms of coronavirus? occur without fans in the arenas. Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty Even with the framework of the season’s finale taking shape, the plans breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with underscored the concerns that hockey’s stakeholders are weighing to those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy restart. sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle The league’s 22-page “Phased Return to Sport Protocol” would allow for pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell a maximum of six players at a time to meet in a team’s practice facility, as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after along with a small group of team personnel. On-ice workouts cannot exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many include coaches or trainers and players will have to wear face coverings as 14 days. elsewhere inside team facilities. Players and team personnel will be How many people have lost their jobs due to coronavirus in the U.S.? required to undergo testing in advance of returning to practice facilities or, if the local supply does not allow for widespread testing, to quarantine Over 38 million people have filed for unemployment since March. One in for 14 days before they can enter. five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal The league emphasized that these workouts would be voluntary — to Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly allow for safety concerns and any immigration issues for players concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers returning to the United States — and conducted only where local living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 jurisdictions have relaxed restrictions to allow gatherings. percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s Is ‘Covid toe’ a symptom of the disease? markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties,” the memo said. There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers The plan looks to be a starting point for vetting the logistics of the return or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection to play. The competitive and financial stakes of the league’s return and with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small the health risks associated with going back to normal, make any blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually discussion complicated. common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not The players’ union vote on the playoff format came after considerable include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some debate but received near unanimous approval, with 29 of 31 team dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe representatives voting to continue discussions. should be sufficient grounds for testing.

Under the format, the playoffs would expand from 16 teams to 24, with Can I go to the park? the top four teams in each conference earning byes. Those top four Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and teams would compete in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding, people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, while the other 16 teams competed in best-of-five series. N.H.L. rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that the games would be played sunshine, is a good idea. without fans and with limited travel. Competition would be confined to between two and four sites, the locations of which have yet to be How do I take my temperature? determined. Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it The representatives for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep Hurricanes cast the only two votes against pursuing the proposal. an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are “You look at teams that had a 10 percent chance to make it, now they’re other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 pretty much on a 50-50 playing field,” Jordan Martinook, the Hurricanes complications. representative, said in a conference call on Monday. Should I wear a mask? Martinook said his team believed that the teams that were seeded fifth through eighth would face a disadvantage because they would have to The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if play an additional five-game series under the new format. they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who “When you have to win four to win the Stanley Cup — I’m sure the Blues have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised would tell you that it’s hard enough — now that you’re going to have to that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and win five it’s obviously harder,” he said. coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.

What should I do if I feel sick?

How do I get tested?

How can I help?

New York Times LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185292 World Leagues News

Sport Fishing Is Back In New Jersey, But Be Prepared For Social Distancing Guidelines On Boats

May 25, 2020 at 7:44 , John Elliott

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed outdoors in New Jersey, including for sport fishing.

But as CBS2’s John Elliott reported Monday, some say salvaging the season will likely be impossible.

“Since this whole thing has started, this pandemic has started, we’ve been shut down for 25% of our season so far. I’m out almost $100,000,” Capt. Dave Riback said.

Riback has been in the sport fishing industry for over 30 years. In fact, like many, he started in high school. He said he has weathered many storms, but he’s never seen anything like coronavirus pandemic.

“The only thing that comes close in terms of work stoppage and loss of revenue is Hurricane Sandy, but with that you had a light at the end of the tunnel. It was bad for two to three weeks, then it quickly rebounded,” Riback said.

To keep everybody on board safe, the business of baiting, casting, and catching will have to be done differently.

“We’re trying to social distance, so as you can see we have this tape mark. This is where you’re supposed to fish, in this area between these two rods, so this is your area,” Riback said as he showed Elliott the safety precautions installed on his vessel. “Around the boat, this is the way we have it set up. If you pick this spot, this is your area. You don’t leave this area.”

One is called the pulpit. Normally, it’s a very popular spot on the boat as it heads out to those great fishing spots. But with the new social distancing guidelines, now you can only fit two.

“We’re asking everybody to come down with a mask. We’re telling people wear something like this; it’s a neck gator. Works out great, it covers everything,” Riback said.

Elliott also saw the prep area, where they clean and process the fish. They can still do that, cut ’em up and fillet them for the customers. But speaking of food, he also saw the galley, where normally they would serve hot and cold food. That’s closed. Thankfully, though, on the Queen Mary, the heads, or the bathrooms, are on the outside, so they’re opened and just constantly cleaned.

Things are going to change in the cabin as well. Normally, you can fit 40- plus in there comfortably. With the new social distancing guidelines, only 16 will be able to stay inside.

When asked how this year is going to rank, Riback said, “It’ll be the worst year ever.”

WCBS-TV / CBS 2 LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185293 World Leagues News

Blackhawks can soon begin small workouts as NHL plans first move out of coronavirus shutdown

By Ben Pope CST May 25, 2020, 4:15pm CDT

The Blackhawks remain in a complete coronavirus shutdown, but the NHL announced plans Monday that will soon begin to move them out of it.

A lengthy memorandum released by the league outlines rules for the second phase of its “Return to Sport Protocol,” which is now scheduled to begin in early June.

The most prominent changes will be reopening team practice facilities and permitting players to hold small-group workouts together in anticipation of an eventual resumption to the season.

Players also will be tested for the coronavirus twice a week and checked for symptoms and their temperature every day.

But an overwhelming amount of logistical challenges remain, such as where the playoffs will take place and how players, coaches and staff will be kept safe once they begin.

A Hawks spokesperson, reached Monday, deferred comment on the second phase progression to the league’s announcement.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 05.26.2020 1185294 World Leagues News The protocol calls for voluntary non-contact skates with no coaches or skating coaches or other club employees participating. Players who participate in Phase 2 won’t be allowed to work out or skate at other locations. Physical distancing will be required in the locker room and NHL will allow players to train together as part of its next return phase weight room. In addition, the protocol said, “Players shall be encouraged to shower at home wherever possible,” and they must leave their workout

clothes and anything they used during their workout at the facility. By HELENE ELLIOTT At each session only one athletic trainer, one strength and conditioning MAY 25, 20209:44 AM UPDATED 9:57 AM coach, one equipment manager, up to two locker room attendants, one team physician and one goalie coach are permitted to be present. Players won’t be permitted to use hot and cold tubs, saunas, or steam rooms and they have been advised not to carpool or take public The NHL and NHL Players’ Assn. issued a careful and sobering plan for transportation to a club facility. Shared meals are banned but teams can the next phase of a return to play, vowing to put the health of players and provide prepackaged individual meals that players can take home with club personnel first but acknowledging the joint directive regarding them. Massage therapists, agents, chiropractors, players’ family reopening clubs’ training facilities to small groups of players and requiring members and media are among those prohibited from entering club temperature checks, enhanced sanitary procedures and other measures facilities during Phase 2. All personnel must wear face coverings except “while very comprehensive, cannot mitigate all risk” of contracting while exercising. COVID-19. Updated cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be observed by each In a 22-page document released early Monday, the league and the union team before their facilities reopen and each team must appoint a Club said the next phase in resuming operations will begin in early June and Facility Hygiene Officer to oversee sanitizing procedures. will be in effect for an undetermined amount of time. The NHL paused its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, they “As we have stated repeatedly, the health of the Players and Club agreed on the general outline of a 24-team playoff format and agreed to personnel is our top priority,” the memo said. It also requested clubs continue negotiating specific terms of the revised format for the Stanley respond to the memo with details about their ability to implement the Cup playoffs. Five members of the Ottawa Senators and three members newly required procedures and an estimated timing for each club to be in of the Colorado Avalanche are known to have tested positive for COVID- position to open its training facility. 19. Los Angeles Times LOADED: 05.26.2020 Under the terms of the Phased Return to Sport Protocol, a maximum of six players will be allowed in a club’s practice facility at one time in addition to a limited number of designated club personnel. Not all club personnel will be permitted to interact with players. Anyone who plans to visit a club training facility must undergo testing 48 hours in advance and receive a negative test result. All club personnel must participate in a remote educational meeting before Phase 2 begins, and all players will undergo a medical examination that checks for “any co-morbidities that may carry increased risk with COVID-19 infection” before participating in any activities.

The memo — which was signed by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, senior vice president and deputy general counsel Julie Grand and chief medical officer Dr. Willem Meeuwisse — said a list of high-risk environments will be given to clubs after the league and NHLPA consult. Teams are not permitted to require that players who are sheltering in place somewhere other than their team’s home city return in time to participate in Phase 2. 1185295 World Leagues News If a player gets injured during the tournament, then there are concerns that surgeries will be harder to schedule if hospitals continue to limit non- essential services during the pandemic. The recovery process, including physical therapy, could be similarly hampered. NWSL plans to be first American sports league back, but some USWNT players might not be on board For USWNT players, opting out of this tournament is surely an easier decision than for other NWSL players. The USWNT collective bargaining agreement — the one players have sued U.S. Soccer over — means 17 of them are still being paid $100,000 salaries by the federation even Caitlin Murray though the national team is not playing games.

Every player on the USWNT — even ones without national team The National Women’s Soccer League is on the cusp of announcing it contracts — also earns a salary of at least $72,500 for NWSL allocation. will return with a tournament-style competition in late June, making it the Per the USWNT’s CBA, the federation has to keep paying those NWSL first American sports league to return during the COVID-19 pandemic. salaries even if the 2020 season features no games as long the league still exists. But there are still more questions than answers, even as sources told Yahoo Sports an official announcement could come as early as Tuesday. For non-USWNT players, the NWSL does not have a union that collectively bargains player contracts, but the NWSL Players Association The tournament, sources said, would begin the last week of June and run does offer strength in numbers. until late July in Utah. The first part of the tournament, which would feature the same round-robin format of a World Cup group stage, would NWSL contracts do not have specific language that covers a pandemic, be hosted at Zions Bank Stadium, home of the USL’s Real Monarchs. and if the NWSL declined to pay players who opt out of the tournament, a The semifinals and final to crown a league champion would be played at legal tussle could follow. So far amid the NWSL’s suspension, players Rio Tinto Stadium, home of the Utah Royals NWSL team. have continued to be paid and there has not been an indication the league is looking at halting payments. Under the proposed plan, teams would take charter flights from their home markets to Utah and players would be tested for COVID-19 upon But for young rank-and-file NWSL players eager to break into their arrival, multiple sources said. A few days later, they would be tested national teams or attract the interest of European clubs, the incentives again, and continue to be tested twice per week throughout the may be enough for them to opt into this proposed tournament in Utah. competition. Antibody tests to identify which players have had COVID-19 Why kick off so soon? already are also being evaluated, sources said. Some players and stakeholders support the plan but have expressed While questions still remain, like what would happen if a player gets concern it is coming together too quickly and should be postponed. But COVID-19 during the tournament, the league and stakeholders have there are a number of factors, multiple sources said, that are driving the been working at a furious pace over the last several days to provide league’s push to kick off in June. satisfactory answers. Even just a week ago, sources were skeptical this plan was feasible, but now they say this tournament is expected to First, the Premier Lacrosse League has a similar tournament planned at happen. the same Utah venues running from July 25 to Aug. 9, according to three sources. That means the NWSL would have to play into September if it NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird had an all-player call on May 15 where wanted to use those facilities but wait until after June. (The PLL has an initial plan was outlined. Since then, there’s been a series of meetings publicly announced the dates for its “Championship Series” tournament, and calls with various stakeholders to iron out the finer details, with more but has not yet confirmed where it will be played.) discussions planned in the coming days. Dell Loy Hansen, owner of the Utah Royals and a real estate mogul, has Where NWSL and USWNT players stand offered tournament facilities to the NWSL on what sources described as The plan will only move forward if players are on board. All NWSL a subsidized basis, making Utah the most attractive site over the other players have the choice to opt out, sources said, and several USWNT host options available. veterans are expected to decline to participate. Additionally, the NWSL is also eager to be one of the first sports leagues At least five USWNT players have opposed the plan internally, sources back when there will be few other live sports commanding public said, while at least three others have voiced support. But most players attention. remain undecided and are waiting for additional details before making a Arnim Whisler, owner of the Chicago Red Stars, said in April the NWSL final decision. wanted to be the first pro sports league to return, and multiple sources The divide of players who don’t want to participate tends to grow by age said his comments reflect sentiments shared by others within the league. — the older players who are at greater risk of injury and are aiming for a Other owners were more reticent initially, but have been swayed by the spot at next year’s Olympics are less likely to participate. safety measures proposed and because governors are allowing states to re-open. One player-side source expressed hope to Yahoo Sports that U.S. Soccer would refuse to give its blessing to the tournament, giving CBS Sports, which holds the television rights to the NWSL, is excited USWNT players an out without being subject to criticism from fans. But about the plan, multiple sources said, but the broadcast rights for the U.S. Soccer, which has been accused in the past of meddling in league NWSL are not valuable enough on their own to make staging the scheduling too much, is leaving it up to the NWSL to develop and tournament worth it. The sources said the NWSL has lined up new, execute this plan. significant sponsorships around the tournament and Baird has done well to court high-level partners since coming on board in March. U.S. Soccer’s medical staff raised early concerns to the NWSL about the proposal, which the NWSL has responded to, a source said. Federation It’s unclear if new sponsors would be as enthusiastic about a tournament officials will make sure players are aware of any remaining concerns the staged in a more crowded sports landscape. A source said the federation has, but will ultimately let players decide on their own whether tournament will be a test run for sponsors who may be considering a to participate or not. longer-term deal.

The Bundesliga saw a rash of injuries in its first week back, raising the The appetite for live sports may still be strong by the fall, especially if concerns that NWSL players will be even more susceptible playing on sports leagues turn to one-off tournaments, rather than sustained the artificial turf fields provided in Utah. The players might also have to seasons, which would be over by then. But some decision-makers have play games as often as every three days at altitude, leaving some also expressed a latent fear that a resurgence of the novel coronavirus in worried about fatigue and load management, sources said. the fall could trigger a spike in cases, as is seen in the seasonal flu. That could lead to another shutdown that would again put all sports on hold. FIFA has increased the number of per-game substitutions from three to five because of schedule congestion related to the pandemic. The NWSL That possibility underlines the key caveat in this proposal: There are no also has a minimum roster size of 22 players this season, per the definitive answers or blueprints for the NWSL to follow. Much about the USWNT’s collective bargaining agreement. But some players are coronavirus remains unknown because it’s new to humans, and the concerned that won’t be enough to prevent injury. testing landscape in the U.S. is very different than other countries that have already welcomed back sports. Even as countries like Germany and South Korea bring sports back, it’s clear the NWSL and other American leagues need to find their own way forward.

But sources connected to the NWSL have for weeks said that the league’s return would be dictated by advice from health experts, and it appears enough players, owners and administrators are comfortable enough with that advice to move forward.

Caitlin Murray is a contributor to Yahoo Sports and her book about the U.S. women’s national team, The National Team: The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer, is out now. Follow her on Twitter @caitlinmurr.

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UFC makes changes to coronavirus protocol, including stricter self- isolation policy

Chris Cwik

The UFC is making some changes to its coronavirus protocol. In anticipation of Saturday’s event in Las Vegas, UFC will implement stricter self-isolation rules to ensure fighters remain safe, according to MMA Junkie.

While fighters were expected to self isolate in preparation for UFC’s events in Jacksonville, the terminology has been tweaked for Las Vegas. Once fighters arrive at the host hotel, they’ll receive antibody tests. While they wait for their results, fighters will be required to self isolate.

The new policy goes into more detail on how UFC expects fighters to self isolate for UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, according to MMA Junkie.

“This means you should not leave the Athlete Hotel or have physical contact with anyone other than the members of your camp until you have received your test result.”

Fighters and their cornermen will have to follow a similar policy between Friday weigh-ins and Saturday’s event. During this period, no member of the fighter’s team will be allowed to leave the hotel unless he or she receives approval.

“During this time, no athletes or cornermen will be permitted to leave the Athlete Hotel without express prior approval from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”

Based on that last statement, it’s possible the UFC altered the wording surrounding its self-isolation policy at the behest of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Bringing the sport to a new state will provide the UFC with new challenges. It’s possible the NSAC wanted the UFC to be more specific about self-isolation expectations in preparation for Saturday’s event.

The UFC is among the first sports to continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company held two events in Jacksonville in May, and will finish out the month with UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on May 30. Before UFC 249, Ronaldo Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for the coronavirus. The event still went off as planned.

Following those events, UFC received criticism after Joe Rogan ignored social-distancing policy and shook hands with fighters. HBO’s John Oliver also ripped the company for its “Fight Island” idea. UFC president Dana White took issue with Oliver’s segment.

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Skiing in Colorado to resume amid coronavirus pandemic

By THOMAS PEIPERT

May 24, 2020 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Time to dust off those boots and tune those skis. At least one resort high in the Colorado Rockies is planning to reopen after a more than two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus.

Arapahoe Basin will open Wednesday with restrictions, offering a sign of hope for a devastated industry and for mountain communities that were disproportionately affected by the disease early in the pandemic.

The resort near the Continental Divide west of Denver will limit the number of skiers and snowboarders by requiring reservations, and guests must wear a face covering if they can’t maintain social distancing.

A-Basin’s “beach,” the row of parking closest to the lifts, won’t host any parties this spring, and tailgating is barred in all the parking lots.

“This is going to be very different,” Alan Henceroth, the resort’s chief operating officer, wrote on his blog Sunday.

A-Basin’s reopening comes after the approval of Summit County’s request for a variance from the state public health order that closed resorts March 14. Gov. Jared Polis is expected to make an announcement involving all Colorado ski resorts Monday.

But the rapidly melting snowpack in the high country means most won’t be able to reopen. So far, only A-Basin, which tops out at 13,050 feet (3,977 meters) above sea level, is planning to fire up its lifts.

The resort usually stays open until early June and sometimes into early July, depending on the snowpack.

Melanie Mills, president and CEO of Colorado Ski Country USA, an industry group that represents 23 ski areas across the state, said reopening would do little to help financially battered resorts but would be a “a real shot of confidence moving forward.”

“It would just be a huge morale booster after this experience,” she said shortly after resorts were forced to close.

Still, some are choosing not to allow late spring skiing.

Breckenridge Ski Resort toyed with the idea of reopening, but owner Vail Resorts announced Thursday it would instead focus on getting its summer operations going in late June or early July.

“Our goal is not to win the race to reopen, it’s to look back one day with great pride in our track record on safety,” Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz wrote in a letter to employees.

He added that the “tremendous enthusiasm” to get in a few more runs this season, however tempting, could be challenging for the resort to manage.

A-Basin joins Oregon’s Timberline Lodge and Ski Area and Mt. Bachelor in reopening. The Oregon resorts opened in mid-May after Gov. Kate Brown signed an executive order allowing skiing and snowboarding to resume across the state.

“We believe that outdoor recreation, whether it’s skiing, snowboarding or otherwise, is good physically and psychologically for people,” Timberline spokesman John Burton said. “This is something that people need to move forward and be happy and healthy human beings.”

The resort opened with a new reservation system and requires guests to answer a COVID-19 questionnaire and wear glasses or goggles, as well as masks and gloves. They also must keep their distance from anyone not in their group.

Burton said the transition has been “going great” and offers the opportunity to teach other resorts how to operate if the coronavirus affects next winter’s season.

“It’s a good experience, but people need to be prepared for something very, very different,” Burton said. “It’s a new world.” 1185298 World Leagues News

China's football team 'more united' under coronavirus

AFP

Shanghai (AFP) - Coronavirus has indefinitely postponed the Chinese Super League (CSL) season but it has given the national team time to bond under coach Li Tie, the side's goalkeeper Yan Junling said on Monday.

China are approaching the end of a two-week training camp in Shanghai and on Tuesday will face CSL side Shanghai Shenhua behind closed doors, having defeated former champions Shanghai SIPG 4-1 in another warm-up match.

The CSL is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic but the national side have been together on and off for several weeks this year, both at home and abroad.

"I think actually for our team, because of the epidemic, we've had a longer time to train together and become more familiar with each other," said Shanghai SIPG stopper Yan.

"We can also get to fully understand what the coach wants and in fact the team has become more united."

China's World Cup hopes hang in the balance.

They are second in their qualifying group, with only the top team guaranteed to reach the next stage on the road to Qatar 2022.

China's next qualifier, against the Maldives, has been postponed because of the pandemic but could now take place this autumn.

The players emerged from their team bus wearing face masks on Monday before former Everton midfielder Li put them through their paces in humid conditions -- minus masks.

Yan said that Li, who took over from Marcello Lippi when the Italian World Cup-winning coach quit following defeat to Syria in November, has made clear that the friendlies against SIPG and Shenhua are essential to their preparations.

"One of the requirements that the head coach has been saying is that we have to take this training and these two games as getting in rhythm for the World Cup qualifiers," said the 29-year-old Yan.

"There is no way out for us -- we must win these two games."

Li has named three naturalised players in his squad, the first time that has happened in Chinese football history.

They are London-born midfielder Nico Yennaris and Brazilian-born strikers Elkeson and Aloisio.

China hopes they can boost a team that has reached the World Cup only once, in 2002, and sits 76th in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between Bolivia and Uganda.

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