Hurts so good
The pro hockey hiatus is over.
If you’ve been dismayed by prospects of a long winter spent socially distancing and, for many, stuck working from home — and you like hockey — the good news is the NHL opens its abbreviated 56-game season tonight.
We know that not everyone’s a fan. But for literally millions of Canadians, rooting for their favourite NHL team has been a lifelong passion, often passed down from generation to generation.
When the puck drops tonight, the games will definitely look different.
To try to minimize COVID-19 outbreaks — and, frankly, in an attempt to save money — during the season, NHL teams will only play divisional rivals in one of four regional groups: East, West, North and Central.
On this side of the border, most eyes will be on the North, aptly nicknamed “Canadian” Division, made up of Canada’s seven NHL teams — Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. For now, all will play out of their home rinks.
Most teams will not be allowing fans into the buildings, at least in the beginning.
Each team will be allowed to carry a taxi squad of four to six extra players above the 23-player limit, to draw from in case of COVID-19 positive tests.
It looks like the league has done as much as reasonably possible to keep players and fans safe, while also allowing both to enjoy the game.
According to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, playing the 2021 season will cost the league more than cancelling it outright.
Roughly half the league’s revenues come from gate receipts, Bettman says, so playing in mainly empty rinks — for now, only Dallas, Florida and Arizona plan to allow small numbers of fans to attend games — will cost the NHL billions.
You’ll notice players’ helmets will sport advertising for the first time, but that is only expected to raise a modest $15 million. The critical question is whether it’ll work. Bettman says the league has a dozen carefully constructed COVID protocols based on consultation with medical authorities — available to view on Nhl.com — but they’ll no doubt have to adjust as they go along.
Cross your fingers and let the games begin.