Finishing the NHL Regular Season “May Not Be Possible”
It’s been almost a full month since the NHL suspended the rest of its season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With 189 regular-season games left on the slate, we may not get to see any of them.
In a video interview with NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico, Gary Bettman gave some insight into how he believes the rest of the season will play out.
Here’s the full interview.
Don’t feel like watching the video?
Here are the four major takeaways from the interview.
1) The NHL Is Still Waiting for More Information Before They Make Any Decisions
When asked about the conference call between President Trump and all the sports commissioners and whether a timeline is starting to come together, Bettman responded:
“I think right now there’s too much uncertainty. Hopefully, we’ll all know more by the end of April. From an NHL standpoint, and I’m sure this is what the other leagues are doing, we’re viewing all of our options. We want to be ready to go as soon as we get a green light. And the green light may not be crystal clear because there may still be some places in the country where you can’t play and other places you can.
We’re looking at all options. Nothing’s been ruled in. Nothing’s been ruled out. And it’s largely going to be determined, what we do, by how much time there is because we have next season to focus on as well and the health of the country — both Canada and the US obviously.”
2) Players Will Get a Period of Time to Get Back up to Speed
“First and foremost, we have to give the opportunity for the players to get back into game shape. And they’re going to need to tune-up. And that’s something we’re consulting and will be continuing to consult with the Players Association on.
As important as health and well being is right now and that’s paramount over everything, but when we come back we have to make sure we don’t do anything to jeopardize the players in terms of their ability to play and making sure they’re in game-ready shape. And that all goes into the equation. Yes, we need at least a couple of weeks for that.
3) The NHL Playoffs Could Go Well Into the Summer
“But I do believe we can play into the summer — well into the summer. And even on NBC platforms, since the Olympics have been postponed, gives us a broader window to focus on when and how we can play. Nothing has been ruled in and nothing has been ruled out.”
4) The Regular Season May Be Over
When discussing how fair it would be to jump right into the playoffs, the Commissioner gave this insight:
“Our clubs are incredibly competitive and whatever we do, it has to be fair, which is why there’s been some public speculation in the media about neutral site games in remote parts of the country. That’s just part of considering all of potential options depending on how we find the circumstances. But when you talk about fairness, we also have issues about if we get to play a playoffs, who gets in if we can’t complete the regular season. I think we had seven teams on the bubble and they all thought they would have had a chance.
We have to deal with the lottery and the order of selection in the draft. So the best thing and the easiest thing is that if some point if we can complete the regular season, and then go into the playoffs as we normally do, we understand that that may not be possible.
And that’s why we’re considering every conceivable alternative to deal whatever the eventuality is. But again, it doesn’t even pay to speculate because nobody in any of the sports knows enough now to make those profound decisions.”
For the Flyers, who sit comfortably in a playoff spot and just a point behind the Capitals for first place, it would be disappointing for them not to get the chance to claim the division crown.
On the other hand, it wouldn’t give them the chance to collapse in the last dozen games of the season and secure them a playoff spot.
Either way, I think we can all agree: we just want Flyers hockey back.
Featured Image: NHL.com
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