The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) have finalized phases three and four of the leagues return to play plan. According to ESPN they are also in the process of finalizing an extension to the collective bargaining agreement.
Phase three includes the beginning of training camps which was originally scheduled for July 10 but has now been pushed back to the 13th, so the two sides can not only agree on the return to play protocols but also the extension of the bargaining agreement. According to a document ESPN obtained, “all individuals shall maintain physical distancing (a minimum of 6-foot distance) at all times throughout Phase 4, to the extent possible.” Players will also be expected to wear face masks except when they’re exercising. Coaches don’t have to wear face masks while on the bench.
Once the league does return, it’s expected that teams will head to their respective hub cities around July 25 or 26 and games could begin as early as Aug. 1. The NHL is yet to announce the location of the hub cities yet, but it’s being reported that Eastern Conference teams will be in Toronto while Western Conference teams will play in Edmonton. Players will still have the option to opt out of playing in the postseason tournament and no player will be penalized for doing so. There is a 5 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday for players to inform the league if they’re planning on not participating in the tournament.
In other news of recent days, due to racial injustice and the movement that has followed the death of George Floyd two professional sports teams are looking at name changes.
The Washington Redskins are the first and are a guarantee to be changing their name. Also according to the Washington Post, businessmen Robert Rothman, Dwight Schar, and Frederick W. Smith who own almost 40% of the team have hired an investment banking firm to look at possible buyers as they stated they no longer want to work with principal owner Daniel Snyder.
The Cleveland Indians have also said they will be looking at a possible name change. The team did remove the Chief Wahoo emblem from their uniforms prior to this at the start of the 2019 season. Manager Terry Francona said Sunday it is time for the organization to move forward and totally supports a team nickname change.
