CANUCKS PLAY IT SAFE
Waiting for OK to use home rink
In an uncertain and unprecedented year, there are no certainties amid a surging second wave of the coronavirus.
And while it's easy to get swept up in the euphoria of the NHL and NHL Players' Association announcing an agreement Sunday to begin a 56-game 2020-21 season on Jan. 13, the enthusiasm has to be tempered because vigilance must be maintained to combat COVID-19.
The Vancouver Canucks understand this better than most.
They're housed and profit in a city and province that has placed a premium on protocols to flatten the infection curve and protect the populace. It hasn't been easy. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has been cheered and jeered for various safety initiatives, but her steadfast stewardship has been instrumental in the recent reduction of B.C. cases.
And like the citizens of B.C., she simply can't let down her guard and allow the NHL to conduct its business without strict guidelines. They remain a work in progress as discussions continue for Return To Play approval. She knows it has to be health and then wealth and not wealth over health. The Canucks also know that.
If you're not convinced, the B.C. Ministry of Health isn't the only jurisdiction that has yet to sign off on the RTP.
Ontario reported a record 2,316 COVID-19 cases Sunday, of which 486 were in Toronto. Provincial health officials there remain concerned about how this would affect an NHL return with the city going into lockdown on Christmas Eve.
Quebec also set a record Sunday with 2,146 cases, of which 625 were in Montreal. That province has also yet to sign-off on the RTP. In B.C., there were 624 cases reported Friday of which 106 were in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region.
So, what does this all mean for the Canucks? They know it's hard to argue pucks over people.
They know the hardships businesses and families have endured during COVID-19.
They also know the NHL has placed extensive protocols on teams travelling to and playing in Vancouver. And, most importantly, they know they have to keep working in concert with provincial health authorities.
They have an exemption to train and skate at their facility, but games are a different animal — even without fans in the stands.
Visiting players and staff will be limited to Rogers Arena and their hotel. No strolls on the seawall, no restaurant or pub visits and all meals in the hotel. No guests, no gym workouts and assigned seats on the team charter flights and bus. And, of course, daily testing.
The Canucks remain hopeful of a resolution to host Major League Baseball style series — two games in a three-day span — to cut travel and costs. They also hope to eventually introduce fans, depending on health authority guidance. But they also have to understand how a Canadian division will unfold without the health authority's approval.
If Quebec, Ontario and B.C. don't sign off on the RTP, then expect a hybrid bubble concept in Edmonton. The Canucks would play eight games over a two-week span at Rogers Place, return to Vancouver for a week, and then return to the Alberta capital bubble.
If B.C. is the only province that doesn't receive approval, then the Canucks would have to relocate to another Canadian city until there's a resolution. Edmonton would again make the most sense because of its success hosting the 2020 post-season with zero test cases. There is also a provision for players to be joined by their families, if relocation comes to fruition.
In its press release Sunday, the NHL addressed the possibility:
“Depending on prevailing conditions both in local markets and across North America, the league will be prepared to play games in one or more neutral-site venues per division should it become necessary.”
The Canucks haven't explored the possibility of relocation in any depth because they remain committed to reaching a COVID-19 safety protocol that satisfies everybody.
Six months ago, the Canucks appeared destined to play hub host for the 2020 post-season, but negotiations hit a “snag” over provincial health concerns should a player test positive. It was more than putting a player in isolation and possibly stopping the tournament for proper contact tracing.
Back then, the pre-tournament concerns were: How did he get infected? Did he arrive at the facility affected? Did he acquire the infection while training in small (pre-tournament) groups? And as a result of becoming infected, did anyone else become infected and can we stop further cases from occurring?
Fast forward and we know so much more about the virus and how to contain its spread through improved protocols. Will that be enough to convince provincial health authorities?
The Canucks hope so. And if not, they're willing to listen.
OVERTIME
The NHL released the following critical dates Sunday: Waivers period start (Dec. 28), non-playoff teams camp (Dec. 31), other camps (Jan. 3), season start (Jan. 13), waving no-movement clauses for expansion draft (Feb. 1), trade deadline (April 12), regular-season ends (May 8), playoffs begin (May 11), last possible playoff date (July 15), buyout period (24 hours after final playoff game), expansion draft (July 21), NHL draft (July 2324), start of free agency (July 28).
The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs aren't the only NHL teams facing an uphill battle if they want to play in their own rinks this season. You can put the Vancouver Canucks in that category as well.
The NHL's board of governors were given the goods on the Return to Play agreement with the NHL Players' Association during a conference call Sunday afternoon and there wasn't any opposition from the league's 31 teams to begin play Jan. 13.
The NHL intends to start on that date with all seven Canadian teams playing in a newly-named North division in their own arenas, but many have serious doubts that will be the case with negotiations continuing between officials from the federal government along with the provinces and local public health authorities.
While deputy commissioner Bill Daly is leading those talks and B.C. is providing the most opposition, a league executive told Postmedia Sunday the province of Ontario has also raised “serious concerns” about the safety protocols the NHL has put in place to start a 56-game season that will run until May 11.
“Ontario has suddenly become a problem,” a league executive said Sunday. Media reported Sunday night the whole province of Ontario will be moved into lockdown Christmas Eve.
If the Senators don't get the green light to play at the Canadian Tire Centre and the same holds true for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, the league is considering moving all seven teams into a hub in Edmonton to at least start the season, with the hopes restrictions in Ontario will be lifted down the road.
The sense is Ontario health officials will eventually come around to allow the Leafs and Senators to play at home, but there are no guarantees. The lockdown in Toronto, along with rising cases of COVID-19, has left the province with plenty of questions in the last 48 hours about whether the NHL returning in Ontario is a good idea.
It's believed health authorities in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec all have questions, but they're willing to allow the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens to resume play in their rinks as long as all the proper safety protocols are in place.
As for B.C., there's major concern the health authorities there aren't willing to bend to allow the Vancouver Canucks to play at Rogers Arena. The province doesn't want visiting teams coming into the city despite the restrictions put on the staff and players by the league when they're on the road.
If B.C. can't be convinced, and it appears the officials there won't change, there's options available for the league, including relocating the Canucks to another Canadian city to start the season. Edmonton makes the most sense because the infrastructure is in place and Rogers Place could easily house two NHL teams.
It's believed the Canucks are studying their options for relocation just in case it happens.
However, if Ontario and B.C. both refuse to accept the league's plan then all seven Canadian teams may play out of a hub in Edmonton. This isn't preferable for the teams or players, but it may be the only option available. Teams would spend 10-to-12 days in the hub and then return home for a week to get some rest.
The NHL isn't the least bit pleased with the provinces not being willing to sign off on their plans, especially in Ontario.
The league successfully used Toronto and Edmonton as bubbles to hold the playoffs in the summer and there weren't any positive tests among the more than 30,000 administered.
The league told the governors they will continue to work with the provinces to try to get this resolved to everybody's satisfaction.
Since the Senators didn't participate in the playoffs in the summer, players will be allowed to report for medicals Dec. 30 and voluntary on-ice workouts begin Dec. 31.
As for the Leafs, they're scheduled to open camp Jan. 3 along with the Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Jets and Habs.
“It's the current plan to play games in the home arenas of participating teams while understanding that most arenas will not, at least in the initial part of the season, be able to host fans,” the league said in a statement. “However, depending on prevailing conditions both in local markets and across North America, the league will be prepared to play games in one or more `neutral site' venues per division should it become necessary.”
Commissioner Gary Bettman said he knows the NHL will have to have flexibility with its scheduling.
“The NHL looks forward to the opening of our 2020-21 season, especially since the Return to Play in 2019-20 was so successful in crowning a Stanley Cup champion,” Bettman said. “While we're well aware of the challenges ahead, as was the case last spring and summer, we are continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and play.”
NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said the players are excited to get back.
“The players are pleased to have finalized agreements for the upcoming season, which will be unique but also very exciting for the fans and players alike,” said Fehr.
“During these troubled times, we hope that NHL games will provide fans with some much needed entertainment as the players return to the ice.”