Hockey's back, or is it? N.H.L. Announces Plan to Return Straight Into the Playoffs, the New York Times reported yesterday, noting it was the largest league to announce such a plan.It involves jumping right to the playoffs, in two pending hub cities (none in New York, of course), with the end of the tournament in the fall, suggesting a later start for the next season.
Each Conference will be assigned a "hub" city with secure hotels, arena, practice facilities and in-market transportation.
"Let me assure you that the reason we are doing this is because our fans are telling us, in overwhelming numbers, that they want us to complete the season if at all possible," Bettman said in a video. See screenshot above.
"Let me assure you that the reason we are doing this is because our fans are telling us, in overwhelming numbers, that they want us to complete the season if at all possible," Bettman said in a video. See screenshot above.
That's not so clear.
What the fans think
The New York Islanders, in a press release, touted the return to play and the upcoming series against Pittsburgh Panthers.
It noted a timeline, from the current Phase 1 of self-isolation, progressing to Phase 2, in early June, with the expectation of voluntary, small group training at teams' home facilities.
In Phase 3, not earlier than first half of July, training camps would begin, after guidance from medical and civil authorities. For the Phase 4 playoffs, well, that's "Timing TBD."
Teams will be limited to 50 personnel in the "hub" city with only a small number of support staff permitted to enter the event areas.
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| From FiveThirtyEight/Ipsos |
Yes, a Seton Hall poll (my coverage), said 76 percent of sports fans said they'd would watch broadcasts of the games with the same interest as before.
A FiveThirtyEight/Ipsos poll (my coverage) suggested that 62 percent of respondents would be somewhat or very likely to watch sports on TV, even if nearly half think sports should not return until the coronavirus is under control, with about a quarter urging a wait until a vaccine.
When asked about hockey (see screenshot), only 10% of fans said it should restart immediately and 18% after the government gave the okay. A further 45% of fans said "once the coronavirus outbreak is under control," which is something of a moving, fuzzy target, different from government approval, while 26% wanted to wait until a vaccine is available.
Even the latter metric challenges the notion of "overwhelming" numbers.
What the players think
"And our players and our teams are clear that they want to play and bring the season to its rightful conclusion," he continued. "Although we are anxious to get back on the ice, we will not do anything until we are assured by medical professionals and the relevant government authorities that it is safe and prudent to do so."
While the players' union may be on board, and prominent players have served as advisors, surely some have doubts.
"And our players and our teams are clear that they want to play and bring the season to its rightful conclusion," he continued. "Although we are anxious to get back on the ice, we will not do anything until we are assured by medical professionals and the relevant government authorities that it is safe and prudent to do so."
While the players' union may be on board, and prominent players have served as advisors, surely some have doubts.
Another Times article quoted former player Georges Laraque, who's recovered from Covid-19, as saying league financial considerations trumped risk. “This year, the guys are not playing for the Stanley Cup, they’re playing not to lose $1.5 billion next year,” Laraque said. “Whoever’s going to win the Cup this year, there’s going to be an asterisk marked on it. It’s a joke.”
He previously said in a TV interview, as quoted by USA Today that, given the lack of fans and thus game conditions, it wouldn't be a true Stanley Cup. He added that, "To be asking guys to be tested and be quarantined for two to three months away from the family during this crisis is unfair and inhuman," noting the complications if family members back home get sick.
Two hubs
The season was suspended after March 11, with about a dozen games per team remaining in the 82-game season. There would be 24 teams (including the New York Islanders) in the playoffs, with seven not qualifying.
He previously said in a TV interview, as quoted by USA Today that, given the lack of fans and thus game conditions, it wouldn't be a true Stanley Cup. He added that, "To be asking guys to be tested and be quarantined for two to three months away from the family during this crisis is unfair and inhuman," noting the complications if family members back home get sick.
Two hubs
The season was suspended after March 11, with about a dozen games per team remaining in the 82-game season. There would be 24 teams (including the New York Islanders) in the playoffs, with seven not qualifying.
As the Times reported:
The hub cities, one hosting the Eastern Conference and one the Western Conference, will be chosen from a list that includes Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Edmonton, Alberta; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Pittsburgh; Vancouver; and Toronto. Bettman did not say whether fans would be allowed to attend the games, which would be broadcast on television.It's hard to imagine that fans would be allowed in. And even with a steady protocol of testing, there have to be question marks.
Timing questions
The New York Islanders, in a press release, touted the return to play and the upcoming series against Pittsburgh Panthers.
It noted a timeline, from the current Phase 1 of self-isolation, progressing to Phase 2, in early June, with the expectation of voluntary, small group training at teams' home facilities.
In Phase 3, not earlier than first half of July, training camps would begin, after guidance from medical and civil authorities. For the Phase 4 playoffs, well, that's "Timing TBD."
Teams will be limited to 50 personnel in the "hub" city with only a small number of support staff permitted to enter the event areas.
The 2020-21 season? Well, that could start, not in October, but in December or January.
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