The majority of hockey enthusiasts throughout the World are hoping for the season to reconvene at some point. Talks throughout the league continue to ensue weekly, with the NHLPA and NHL working together, hand-in-hand to see that this happens. Well, a historic vote Friday paved the way for hockey to return at some point. The NHLPA BOG voted yes to a 24 team playoff format, that consists of the top 4 teams in each conference to play each other for seeding purposes in a three game round robin, followed by the 8 extra teams (Making 24 teams total) would play a best of five series with the winners of course advancing to a 16 team play-in playoffs.
This does not mean that hockey has returned YET!!! However, this is every indication that the NHL is serious in returning in July-early August. This historic vote by the NHLPA BOG lays the groundwork for other logistics to follow for hockey to reconvene as planned. Some questions still remain like bubble life, hub cities, and testing of course. However, a 29 page memo of rules and protocols is at the bottom of this page for your reading pleasure, as the NHL and NHLPA plan to enter into Phase 2. Here are some highlights, per Pierre LeBrun:
- The NHL is targeting early June to move into Phase 2 (Re-opening of facilities). These workouts are voluntary, and there could only be a total of six players max at practice.
- Players do not have to wear face coverings while on the ice or exercising, but they must be worn at all times otherwise when social distancing does not allow.
- No coaches or other personnel are allowed on the ice when the six players are practicing.
What does this mean for the Flyers? Well, Ivan provorov will be on the ice everyday, as one of the six participants. Provorov is a work-horse, a beast, all in all he’s a machine. The young defenseman has been living and has been working out with his billet family in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania since the start of the pandemic.
The Flyers would instantly be Cup contenders, yes not just contenders, but Cup contenders. Some may not agree with this format for hockey to reconvene, but in the end Flyers fans will be cheering their team from their couches or chairs to hopefully bring the Lord Stanley’s Cup back home to Philadelphia where it belongs.
This 24 team playoff format is gaining momentum, and it appears to be the most logical way for the season to ensue. It would also give people around the World hope, and a sense of normalcy. At the end of the day dollars and cents matter in sports, but so does the health of players, coaches, trainers, broadcasters, and media, as well. 30 minute Covid-19 tests are being made available now, so a possibility of sports reconvening without spectators is becoming more of a possibility.
Here’s the 29 page memo on it’s entirety:
