Hybrid bubble could ease concerns
The fine points of NHL's return to play for 2020-21 have yet to be hammered out
Edmonton to the rescue?
Rogers Place once again could be a hub host and prevent Canadian clubs from being forced to play their 2020-21 games in the U.S., if provincial health officials don't sign off on a return-to-play plan.
According to a report, an agreement has yet to be struck to ensure all COVID-19 safety measures and protocols can be met in seven cities that would comprise an all-Canadian division. There are special exemptions for teams to train and skate at respective facilities, but staging games is in question.
The NHL and the players' association are attempting to reach logistical and health agreements to open camps Jan. 3 and begin a 56-game season on Jan. 13. For European and U.S. players, a mandatory 14-day quarantine period must start Sunday to meet the camp target.
Whether it's an NHL pressure tactic or COVID-19 reality, the goalposts keep shifting.
On Thursday, the Montreal Canadiens were close to approval to use their practice facility in suburban Brossard for camp. Premier Francois Legault also said the club could create a bubble there and that visiting teams could be contained in hotel bubbles near the Bell Centre for league play. The NHL obviously wants to stage games in home arenas and slowly introduce a fan plan to boost revenues. However, a hybrid bubble concept has been broached that makes safety sense.
What would that mean for the Vancouver Canucks?
They would rotate into the hybrid bubble with other clubs for a two-week period. They would then return to Vancouver for a week to be with families before returning to the Alberta capital for another two-week slate of games.
It would result in about a dozen games a month until there's approval for clubs to host games and introduce a graduated fan plan, depending on the particular jurisdiction. As for flying between Edmonton and Vancouver, it would be less travel and reduce virus exposure.
“From a public health point of view, bubbles are the safest approach — it worked well over the summer,” Dr. Brian Conway of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre said Thursday. “If they are to return to their families for a week, the families must have no symptoms, have been strictly adherent to the public health rules in place. While the player is home, there must be strict adherence to the public health rules including no socializing outside the immediate family.
“If anyone gets symptoms at any time, there must be rapid access to testing, test all the contacts, and if there are any positives during the family time, figure out quickly where they came from. This must not be perceived as a compromise or special treatment of professional athletes, but as something that is fully consistent with what the rest of the population is doing.”
CANUCKS GAIN SUPPORT FOR ORCA LOGO
Indigenous experts had their say on the Canucks' logo controversy.
When a university professor suggested this week the club scrap its orca logo out of respect — believing the franchise has been profiting from branding that is appropriating an art style that contains elements of Haida design and is hurting Indigenous people — the Canucks did their due diligence before responding to the claims.
On Thursday, the club released the following statements of support for the logo designed by Brent Lynch in 1997.
■ Team owner Francesco Aquilini, who is also managing director of the parent Aquilini Investment Group:
“We consult with the First Nations on many issues around our teams and businesses and value their wise counsel. Most recently, we collaborated on the Vancouver Warriors lacrosse team branding. We understand that not everyone embraces the Canucks logo, but are very pleased that so many people do, including our First Nations friends. We're grateful for this show of support and all the positive feedback we've received.”
■ The Three Host Nations chiefs of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations:
“For over a decade, we have worked side-by-side with the Canucks to build a long and meaningful relationship based on respect and family-to-family values. The Aquilini family has supported the communities by honouring the Nations, creating space in their organization for our people, and ensuring the Nations are represented at their events. We will continue to strengthen this relationship and support their endeavours.”
■ Canucks chief operating officer Trent Carroll:
“The Aquilini family has also worked closely with local Nations on a wide range of development projects and other opportunities for decades. The orca logo has been on a Canucks jersey longer than any other logo in team history and has many supporters from across B.C., including our First Nations friends. The majority of feedback has been very positive over the past few days and we look forward continuing our strong relationship with First Nations communities across B.C.”
OVERTIME: The Canucks have signed restricted free agent winger Justin Bailey, 25, to a one-year, two-way contract that pays US$750,000 in the NHL and US$225,000 in the AHL. He had a career-high 28 goals in 53 games with the Utica Comets last season. His 47 points ranked 19th in league scoring and he had three hat-tricks in a four-game January span.