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Snapshots: GM Conference Call, SHL Playoffs, Kubalik

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NHL general managers held a conference call with the league this afternoon. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that much of the call revolved around the memo that the NHL sent out Friday regarding what teams can and cannot do during this self-isolation that the league has set due to the Coronavirus. There is a chance that players may be allowed to skate at team facilities in small groups at a later date, but nothing concrete has been set.

LeBrun added that there was no discussion on a potential schedule or playoffs when the NHL lifts its suspension. It is believed that it is far too early to begin discussing potential scenarios with not enough information available yet on when the season may begin again.

  • The Swedish Hockey League reported on their own website (translation required) that due to everybody’s health and safety due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the league has requested to the Swedish Ice Hockey Association that they cancel the SHL playoffs, which would end their season. The team announced earlier this week that they had postponed the playoffs until Mar. 24, however, the league looks to be reversing course like many leagues have done in the past few days. A decision is expected on Sunday. The Swedish Ice Hockey Association is responsible for competition rules and the playoffs, which is why the SHL must clear it with them first.
  • The Athletic’s Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus reported that the Chicago Blackhawks top priority this offseason is to lock up restricted free agent Dominik Kubalik to a new contract. The 24-year-old rookie signed a one-year entry-level contract this offseason out of the NLA and has seen his career take off with a 30-goal, 46-point season so far this season. While Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes have garnered most of the attention for the Calder Trophy this season, Kubalik is right up there as well. The scribes write that Kubalik’s agent traveled to Chicago this week to discuss a contract with general manager Stan Bowman in hopes of getting a deal done soon.

Jokerit Withdraws From KHL Playoffs

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While the KHL is hoping to continue on with their postseason as one of the last leagues standing, even that could possibly be in jeopardy.  Today, one of the eight teams still alive in the playoff picture, Jokerit Helsinki, announced that they were withdrawing from the postseason due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the recent recommendations from Finnish government officials.  Team chairman, NHL Hall of Famer Jari Kurri, released the following statement:

These are exceptional times and they call for exceptional measures. The well-being and health of the people and our society is paramount and Jokerit wants to shoulder its responsibility in the matter. We have held thorough discussions with our team doctors and players and together come to this conclusion. It is a very difficult but necessary decision.

Their series against SKA St. Petersburg was scheduled to begin on Tuesday and while Finland has a ban on large gatherings, it was being considered that Jokerit would play their home games without fans in attendance.  Clearly, they’ve now opted not to do so.

It will be worth monitoring over the coming days to see if any of the other seven squads decide to follow suit.  If that happens, the KHL may have no other choice but to suspend or cancel the rest of the Gagarin Cup playoffs.

Regular Season May Be Over For Non-Playoff Teams

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As things stand, the NHL fully intends to resume game action at some point.  However, although every team still has at least 11 games remaining on the schedule, it appears that not all of them will be lacing up their skates again in 2019-20.  Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports (subscription required) that it is widely believed that the season is now finished for teams that have no chance of making the playoffs.

This could mean a few different things.  One is that the playoffs will be set by the current regular season standings (perhaps by points percentage instead of points to account for the discrepancy in games played as some teams have 14 contests left on the schedule).  But that won’t go over well with teams that are just on the edge of being out and there are battles for top-three placement and Wild Card spots across the league.

If they do resume with an abbreviated regular season, how many teams will be allowed to play?  Technically, only one (Detroit) has mathematically been eliminated from a playoff spot.  A team like Chicago is six points out of a Wild Card position and while it’s unlikely that gap can be closed, it’s not impossible either depending on the number of regular season games played.  Another alternative that will be thrown around is a mini-tournament for playoff bubble teams.

Of course, a lot will depend on how this pause in the schedule lasts.  If they’re back in action within the next few weeks (their timeline for self-quarantine suggests they’re targeting a quicker return date than the NBA which has already ruled out 30 days), there’s certainly a possibility that a set of regular season games could still be done.  But if it’s a prolonged break, then that might not be the case.  At the very least though, it seems like some teams may be done already.

Key Points From The NHL’s Memo To Teams And Players

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With the speed of which things have transpired over the last few days, there were plenty of questions as to what the next steps would be for the NHL after their announcement that play was being suspended.  The NHL sent a memo to teams and players and TSN’s Frank Seravalli has (Twitter link) some of the key highlights.

Players have been asked to self-quarantine and avoid any informal skating which is in line with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly’s comments earlier today.  Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times adds (via Twitter) that the self-quarantine period is to last for six days.

Injured players (or those receiving some sort of treatments) will be allowed to report to team facilities for treatment beginning on Saturday.  However, the league is discouraging players from doing so if other methods of communication can be done.  Players looking to work out have been told to do so from home instead of using team facilities or a public area.

Following the self-quarantine period, the league hopes to open training and practice facilities to the players with an eye on holding a “training camp period” soon after.  TSN’s Darren Dreger notes (Twitter link) that players will be permitted to leave their club city as long as the team is notified.

NHL players will receive their full pays as scheduled.  There are three pay periods left in the regular season with the first of those being today.  It’s worth noting that there is a clause in the CBA that permits the league to potentially revise salary due to a “cause beyond the control of the League or of the Club” but for now, it appears that they won’t do that.

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