NHL: MLSE offers to help with testing if Toronto becomes hub

Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment is willing to pay for all the testing of its players, and help others in the city with testing, if Toronto becomes a hub city in the NHL’s plan to resume the 2019-20 season.

That’s according to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was asked whether testing millionaire athletes would negatively impact the public’s ability to get tested during the coronavirus pandemic. The province has yet to reach its stated goal of 16,000 tests a day.

“What I understand, all tests will be supplied by MLSE,” Ford told reporters during a Friday briefing. “The cost will be absorbed by MLSE or the NHL, whoever it might be. And I guess through that, when they set it up, then they’ll actually donate some of the time of the testing area to the public, as well.

“So they’re giving back to the public on top of testing their own players, which I thought was very thoughtful of them for doing that.”

MLSE is already using its staff and space at the Scotiabank Arena and BMO Field to prepare and deliver up to 13,000 meals a day for front-line workers during the pandemic.

The NHL is considering separating its teams into four groups in four cities to finish its regular season and playoffs, or perhaps to go straight to the post-season. The players would be in a COVID-19-free bubble, with frequent testing.

Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton are among the cities hoping to host what is left of the season. The issue will be bringing players in from other jurisdictions.

“We have had conversations with (MLSE) and it’s all based conditionally on following the chief medical officer’s protocol,” Ford said. “People that aren’t in the country right now, if they do come back, they’re going to have to be quarantined like everyone else for two weeks. I understand with the Raptors, the NBA and the NHL, (they) have super stringent restrictions and protocols in place.”

The NBA suspended its season after one of its players tested positive on March 11. The NHL followed suit the next day.

The Raptors have the goahead to use their practice facility, starting Monday. Only one player, with one coach, will be permitted on the court at any time.

The Leafs do not have any such go-ahead. Most NHL players haven’t been on skates since March 12, and are scattered across North America and Europe.

When the leagues do return, it won’t be with fans in the stands, Ford said.

“I don’t even know when they plan on starting the season, but they’re gonna be playing in empty stadiums,” Ford said. “Everyone wants to see a little bit of sports, if they’re doing it responsibly. You know, I love watching any sports, be it the NHL or Raptors or the Blue Jays. But those rules will apply for all those teams.”