During this indefinite suspension of the 2019-20 season and the rest of the professional sports landscape, the NHL is working to stay relevant and provide some content for their fans around the world. One way they’ve done that is to provide player access to reporters by way of conference video calls, where they can give their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Today’s players were captains from the Pacific Division, including Connor McDavid, Mark Giordano, Bo Horvat and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
The quartet of stars were asked how they would go about resuming play and whether the teams could step right into the playoffs once they’re allowed back on the ice. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet relays McDavid’s answer, which noted that a “fair season’s a full season” and poked fun at the Calgary-Edmonton rivalry.
Horvat, the captain of the Vancouver Canucks, agreed that in order for the season to be deemed “fair” more regular season games would have to be played. As Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press points out however, the Canucks are technically outside the playoff picture at the moment but would get a wildcard spot if the league decided to use points percentage to determine seeding.
While those two focused on how to maintain the season’s credibility, Giordano had a different take on the situation. The Flames’ captain is excited about the idea of the playoffs this year, noting that they would be extremely competitive because every team will be relatively healthy. The 36-year old defenseman has dealt with injuries of his own this season and knows exactly how much of a toll the playoffs can be on a player’s body.
It’s hard to know what the future holds for the NHL at this point, but if the playoffs do ever played you can bet it will be a tournament to watch closely. Not only will health be a factor, but players won’t have a lot of time to shake off the rust before they’re playing elimination games. It could be some of the most compelling hockey in a long time, but we’ll have to wait to find out if it even happens.
Problem is, as long as certain Governors and Mayors continue to keep their states and cities in lockdown mode, there’s really no feasible way for any sports league to resume play. For instance, the Mayor of Los Angeles says he expects to keep his city in lockdown for another two months. The Kings obviously can’t play hockey under those conditions.
He never said 2 months. The “lockdown” is until April 19th
Better read again. He’s stated that it may even be longer than that. I’ll let everyone ponder why he and others are taking those actions.
Giordano’s certainly on to something there. playoffs might be better than ever if they skip right to them.
August is shaping up as one busy sports month. Golf majors, Stanley cup finals, nba playoffs, Wimbledon, MLB baseball with regular season games that actually mean something. , champions league soccer finals, NFL preseason, college football. Or of course we might still be watching repeats of 2013 steel cage matches.
Maybe MTV will bring back Celebrity Death Matches , am hoping all the major sports will resume by then but have heard so many reports I don’t know what to believe anymore. I am hoping and praying that this pandemic will dwindle down so we can enjoy games on tv, computer, radio , and all outlets as am sick without hockey which I monitor on hourly basis 365 days a year on many sites. and allow the fans to attend without people , staff and players getting sick, and return to enjoying games , right now would watch Tiger Woods win US Open if it was happening or when it is played.
I think the regular season games should be waived, and 1 point be awarded to each team for each of the number of games they have remaining for the regular season. After that math has been applied, you go ahead with the normal playoff process.