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mll

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Everything posted by mll

  1. Except the league can't force players to enter phase 2. It's only at phase 3 scheduled for 10 July that testing will happen for everyone. A player in the US can stay where he is and travel to his US team only for 10 July. Staal and Parise are skating in Minnesota but not as part of phase 2. There's also no ice at the Wild's because none of the NHLers skating in Minnesota are looking to enter phase 2. Weber was telling Montreal media maybe last week that he was not looking to return to Montreal because he had access to all he needs in Kelowna. Maybe those positive cases changes things and some might elect to enter the protocol to get tested. Some players are still undecided to return and want more details before taking a decision. It's unlikely that the league will be able to test everyone before the start of phase 3.
  2. Vancouver has emerged as a favourite already last week. They have the upscale hotels that the league is looking for unlike Edmonton. Everyone would be stationed in Vancouver though and not playing all over the province like you were suggesting. They can create a bubble in Vancouver.
  3. Bettman shutdown the idea of playing games in non NHL arenas months ago. Doesn't matter if BC or elsewhere. The league insists on playing in NHL arenas because of all the infrastructure they need to make it work. They want to create an air tight bubble - players won't be allowed outside. The initial plan was for them to just to go the rink and back in their hotel rooms and even eat in their rooms. There was considerable push back. It's still the same idea. They want to create a bubble where there is no access to the exterior. Creating the kind of air tight bubble they want all over BC is not realistic.
  4. Feels unrealistic. Phase 2 is voluntary. Only 200 players have been tested. Assuming each team brings in 30 players, there's over 500 more that are not in phase 2 and haven't been tested. Would think that many more players are going to test positive. For the bubble to be safe they have to ensure that anyone entering the bubble is virus free. They need the testing and the necessary quarantine time. Not all players had the same access to ice. There's the risk of injury if training camp is too short after such a long time off.
  5. That idea was shutdown months ago already by Bettman. There's not the infrastructure. It would cost far too much to put them at NHL standard and set up all the cameras. The difference between pre-season games at non NHL arenas is visible - eg the game at Abbotsford game in pre-season. Theres' no fans in the stands so it's all going to be about the quality of the broadcast. There's sanitisation issues too where NHL arenas have the procedures, technology and personnel in place. They are setting up 2 hub cities to eliminate travel. They want all teams in the same location and isolated from the rest of the world. They are trying to create a bubble where everything will be sealed off and that includes hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Players need things to do during downtime. Creating bubbles all over the province has a cost - they need people to run that bubble and security to ensure there's no breach. Some of those locations don't offer much to do either. Players can't just go from the ice to their hotel rooms. Some of those locations don't even have the hotel standards - they are looking for high end luxury hotels with all the amenities. The league is worried about the players' psyche/moral as they are going to be kept in isolation. They want them to have things to do during downtime. That's also why Vegas is high on the list of the players' preference - they can seal off more amenities than many other locations. Setting up in Vancouver and then traveling to those provinces to play is unpractical. They want to have the play-ins in about 8 days. They can't be on the road all that time. Players aren't going to be allowed outside the bubble. Setting up a bubble is already considerable work and costs - adding more is not realistic. That's also in part why they went down to 2 hubs rather than 4.
  6. It's the opportunity to showcase themselves and also the chance to play for a Cup. Not sure UFAs would see it differently than other seasons in respect to injuries.
  7. He doesn't sound particularly convinced that there will be a compliance buyout. When asked he answered that last time that there was one there was a drop in the cap but discussions here are to keep the cap flat. He says that it's been discussed but they are talking of adjusting escrow. If there is one it would have to be part of the CBA negotiations. It's not the same situation as last time. The audio is with about 20 minutes to go: https://post.futurimedia.com/ckstam/playlist/10/listen-25143.html Shannon, Friedman believe that the league does not want compliance buyouts. For players it increases their escrow so probably not in favour either.
  8. Per McKenzie on Insider Trading the league would be announcing testing results rather than teams going forward. Players and teams won't be disclosed. 11 players tested positive on over 200 tested in phase 2.
  9. Or the opposite effect. Teams/the league want their players to be safe. Players testing positive shows that they haven't been. The league has no control over players until they enter their protocol. Phase 2 is voluntary and many are still training outside of it. Sweden never went in lockdown. Players have been skating in groups for months now. Minnesota is the state with the most NHLers. The Wild don't have ice up because none wish to enter the NHLs protocol. It's significantly more restrictive than what players can do outside of it. NHLers including Boeser are skating in groups at rinks all over town. It feels unlikely that they would all be virus free. The risk of spread is probably higher than in the NHL protocol, where there is testing and very strict social distancing measures. Would think that teams want to get their players back in the fold and tested. The bubble they intend to set up is very restrictive and probably safer than what some players have been doing up to now. If the league doesn't resume players can continue to do whatever they want. They are probably not going to self-isolate - several haven't despite the NHLs recommendation. There will be rinks open where they can continue to skate and train in groups. There's no testing and likely not the same sanitisation process at these rinks vs the NHLs either. Those are often shared facilities. They are more exposed than they would be in the NHLs bubble.
  10. Not essential but people are looking for things to watch. Sporting events are drawing new viewers. Not all might stay once their preferred sport is back on but getting exposure can draw new fans and the NHL could use it. Most players have not entered phase 2 of the NHL's protocol. It's significantly more restrictive than what players can do outside of it. No contact, no more than 6 on the ice at the same time, etc. In Minnesota ice is not back on at the Wild's facilities because players based in Minnesota prefer to make their own arrangements. It's the state with the most NHLers - cf the Beauty League participants. Players are skating all over town including Boeser. Several players who have entered phase 2 have tested positive. It seems improbable that the players who are outside the protocol are all virus free and they are following far less stringent rules. They are more at risk in that setting than in the NHLs phase 2 protocol. Next season won't start before 2021. Several owners question whether the league should even resume without fans in the stands. It's unlikely that they would give up this season and lose well over 1 billion and then play next season without fans in the stands. TV revenue is worth 650M per Renaud Lavoie but they need revenue of 5 billion to operate. It's not really viable without fans in the stands. Completing this season will allow them to mitigate their losses.
  11. The league is trying to complete the playoffs also at the players' request. For those reluctant to return there will apparently be an opt out option. It affects more than just owners/players when a 5 billion dollar league is shut down. Teams have cut back staff salary (including the Canucks), furloughed employees or even fired them. Media is also letting people go - there's no sports to cover. Hotels/restaurants aren't getting that income either. There is less tax revenue when the league is not up and running and people losing their jobs are probably filing for unemployment. As for hockey in the summer, that might become the new normal. The networks believe it would increase viewership to start the season later. Hockey is competing with too many major sports in October. The league needs to agree on a new US TV deal. With the losses piling up adjusting the dates of the season could be part of it.
  12. Tampa Bay temporarily closed their training facilities after several players and staff tested positive.
  13. The pool is 16M this year per the CBA. The NHLPA decides on the distribution key among all participating teams with league approval. Wasn't sharing my thoughts but more taking a neutral view to try and have a complete overview of the situation and why some players might be reluctant to return and decide to opt out. Opting out wording is being prepared which suggests that some players are considering it. Fwiw given all initial indications I believe that it's probably going to be safer in the NHL bubble than outside and have argued in that direction. I can accept though that some players won't feel that way. Some might not want to enter the bubble for personal reasons. It's apparently going to be very restrictive. Btw Horvat's wife is also due in the 2nd half of July. He hasn't commented on his plans as far as I know.
  14. Krueger is getting an increased managerial role and will have his say on roster construction. He seems to have more experience than Adams. Given his increased role and his recent comments on Ristolainen it seems doubtful that he would be available. “He’s a centerpiece of what we’re doing here. The National Hockey League is a world of moving pieces. I want to coach Risto next season, I would enjoy coaching Risto next season so that’s probably all I need to say to you,” Krueger said on a zoom call with reporters on Friday. “Risto always comes with a little bit of bite but that’s what we love about him and I’m expecting to see him as a centerpiece and a core player in our group next year.”
  15. The regular season is over and players are only paid over the regular season. In the post-season there is what the CBA calls a "player fund" that gets distributed based on results. The CBA foresees prize money of 16M total this year and the NHLPA has to agree on a distribution key among the different participating teams. Players will have the option to opt out. Players opting out won't be entitled to a share of the player fund but there are no other financial consequence per LeBrun. Players who agree to play have to abide by the protocol which looks to be very strict.
  16. Players only get paid during the regular season. The regular season is officially over. Players are sharing the losses through the 50% split of hockey related revenue (HRR). They have to return part of their salaries. The escrow that has been retained over the season is insufficient to cover their share of the losses. Playoff revenue is part of HRR. If they don't agree to the extended-season they have to give more money back. Jordie Benn's child is due in the 2nd half of July. He has already said that he won't miss the birth and won't accept to be kept away from his child and fiancée. He either has to be allowed out of the bubble to visit them or they have to be part of it. Some players or their families have medical conditions which puts them more at risk of complications and/or lasting effects, others have young kids at home, some have their partners expecting. Players worked to become NHLers. The pandemic changed the framework of their job and it's not what they signed up for. We already had that discussion in the other thread on why some players could be reluctant to return. Players are probably going to be offered the option to opt out. Friedman in his 31 thoughts: "The NHL and NHLPA are working on opt-out language for anyone who may feel uncomfortable about playing. But part of their pitch might be that the bubble will be safer than parts of North America. In some places, it looks like social distancing no longer exists." It doesn't seem fair to force players to do something they don't feel comfortable with, and/or having players risking the health of others by breaking the bubble because it's too restrictive. It's probably also more of a detriment to teams to have players who don't want to be there and/or aren't focused.
  17. There has never been a sign and trade in the cap era.
  18. That's the official twitter account of his new team. RFA only if the Canucks qualify him which seems unlikely. As part of the return to play all dates are going to be extended until after the playoffs. The KHL season starts earlier. Canucks didn't have him on their list of black aces.
  19. The league actually wants a hub in Canada. The exchange rate is favourable and they are already losing so much money. Players are going to vote on the whole return to play package - including the 2 hub cities. The NHLPA is involved in the selection process. Vegas can probably be more easily sealed off than other locations. The league is trying to create an airtight bubble where players won't be allowed outside of that bubble.
  20. My understanding is that it's the NHL that doesn't want families part of the bubble. They want it as air tight as possible. Each team can bring 50 people max. That's still 600 people for the play-ins + all the leagues' staff. It's hard to imagine bringing families on top of that. They want the play-ins in 8 days about - pretty much a road trip. They would then be down to 8 teams. Still 400 people + league. Once down to 4 teams (after the 1st round) they would be left with 200 people vs the initial 600. It's hard to imagine that players would agree to be cut from their families past the play-ins maybe 1st round but not sure if they would accept much beyond.
  21. It's probably the NHL's proposal. When they asked cities to bid they most likely had to describe the framework of their protocol. The cities have to know what they are bidding on, whether it's feasible and meets health standards. Phase 2 of the NHL's protocol is so restrictive that quite a few players have decided to continue to skate outside of it rather than enter the protocol. Players who entered the protocol are talking of how the league is doing all their possible to keep players safe. They apparently want to do the play-ins in about 8 days. Would think that families would not be allowed to join - it's pretty much a road trip. It's probably not going to be feasible to keep players completely isolated for up to 2.5 months though. Jordie Benn has already declared that he will not respect the bubble. His fiancée is due end of July and he has no intention of being separated from his family.
  22. ESPN has a different version where families wouldn't even come over. The NHL wants to keep players' quarantined inside an air tight bubble with no contact with the exterior to preserve the bubble. If families go in and out of the bubble there's a risk they bring it inside the bubble. From ESPN: Officials such as Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer for British Columbia, have indicated that players would not have interactions with family members once inside the hub. Players' access to their families is a chief point of negotiation between the NHL and the NHLPA, as the players have yet to approve an actual return to the ice this summer.
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