The only game for time being is waiting

League has not ruled out playing into summer

The NHL updated its board of governors Monday afternoon, but there may have been more questions about the coronavirus pandemic than answers.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly held a conference call with the 31 owners as well as senior management to update them on what route they may take with the rest of the schedule, depending on when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control gives them the go-ahead to return to play and where the league stands as a result of this shutdown.

Losing the rest of the season and playoff revenues if those games can’t be played would be a big hit financially, but Bettman and Daly remain focused on trying to finish the season and awarding the Stanley Cup, if at all possible.

While Bettman and Daly have spoken with teams individually since the league’s board of governors decided to pause the season March 12, this was the first chance they’ve had to speak as a group. A disease control expert from New York addressed the group, as well.

The general managers will hold a similar call Tuesday.

The CDC recommended earlier this month there be no mass gatherings for at least two months, and the NHL indicated in a news release Monday it remains hopeful it can reopen with a training camp at the end of next month.

“The form and format of resumption of play scenarios will depend entirely on what transpires between now and when we are permitted and able to resume — and, ultimately, on timing and taking into account logistical constraint,” the league said in the release posted Monday. “We’re going to have to be flexible and react to events as they unfold as well as the best medical advice available.”

And, the league hasn’t ruled out playing in empty arenas for television purposes if health authorities say it’s OK to play but without people in the stands.

“It’s premature to say what the circumstances would be for resumption of play, but we are prepared to follow the direction of relevant health authorities,” the release said.

At this point, two unnamed Ottawa Senators are the only confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the league.

The NHL indicated in the release the two Senators that tested positive had only “mild symptoms” and both are “currently in isolation.”

The league said the Senators reached anybody who may have come in close contact with the infected individuals and that all necessary precautions are taking place.

“The Senators medical staff identified persons who might have had close contact with the athletes during the relevant time period (just before and during the period when the players were symptomatic),” the league said. “Senators players and staff have been isolated and instructed to monitor their health and to seek advice and care, as necessary, from club medical staff.

“The health of the NHL’s players, fans and community remains the league’s highest priority. The NHL will continue to do everything it can to ensure its players, staff, fans and the greater community remain safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty.”

No, the league isn’t making sure every player is tested and only those who have symptoms are contacting their local health authorities to get tested. Eight of the 52 people — including players, staff, media, guests and the Air Canada staff — on the Senators trip to California from March 7 to 12 have had testing because they were showing symptoms.

“Our medical experts do not recommend mass-testing for all NHL players,” the statement said. “Besides the fact that there would be insufficient testing resources to accommodate such a direction, the medical community does not believe that such testing is medically indicated, or in accordance with the parameters issued by applicable health authorities.”

The league indicated it told all of its players to remain in self-quarantine until March 27. At that point, the league will re-evaluate the situation, but officials do hope at some point the players will be able to return to the rink in small groups to begin working out. The NHL won’t do that if there’s any risk involved of anybody becoming ill or spreading the virus.

“At the end of the self-quarantine period — and depending on developments regarding COVID-19 between now and then — consideration will be given to allowing the opening of club facilities to players in scheduled and coordinated small groups for voluntary training and club care,” the league said.

The NHL hasn’t ruled out playing into July or August. If that’s the case, they’d have to negotiate the expiration of contracts on July 1 with the NHL Players Association, but they expect to have full co-operation. As Daly noted in an interview with Postmedia last week, the league doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the 2020-21 campaign if the decision is made to resume play.

“Any decision we make on the schedule and critical dates calendar during the off-season ultimately will be done in conjunction with the NHLPA and, in that context, the parties will discuss how best to accommodate the resumption of play determinations that are ultimately made,” the statement added.

Bill Daly