Hockey faces border hurdle

Senators reportedly cleared to return to ice with safety restrictions

The NHL is still more than a week away from determining a return-to-play format, a source familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

And what that plan includes could be complicated further should the U.S. and Canada extend border restrictions to nonessential travel into July.

The person, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the discussions are private, spoke after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced border limits will stay in effect through June 21 — the second time they have been extended since March 18 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am hopeful that today’s announcement will not have a material impact on our return to play discussions and timeline,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly wrote in an email.

Though the NHL has left open the possibility of training camps opening as late as early August, it was unclear what effect further border restrictions will have on a league with seven of its 31 teams based in Canada.

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Sun reported that the Senators had received provincial approval to skate at a local rink — a maximum of five at a time, with physical distancing and other safety measures.

There’s also a question of how travel restrictions will affect players, many of whom have returned to their off-season homes — including about 17 per cent of players currently selfisolating overseas.

In a separate development, the NHLPA’s executive board voted to defer the final payment of players’ regular season salaries through the end of May. Players were owed their final cheques on April 15, before voting to defer those payments for a month.

The decision provides temporary relief to the NHL’s bottom line, opening the possibility of players foregoing some or the entire remainder of their final cheques. The players stand to lose some or all of what they are owed under the collective agreement.

Players and owners split hockey-related revenue on a 50/50 basis, with a percentage of players’ salaries placed in an escrow fund. Owners can draw from the fund should their share fall below 50 per cent, which is projected to happen this season.

Owners considered the players’ previous decision to defer payment as a sign of good faith. The decision on when and how to resume the season is being left with a committee made up of representatives of the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.