The NHL Players’ Association is voting on a return-to-play plan Friday that would begin a process potentially allowing the NHL to restart the 2019-20 season. The NHLPA’s 31 player representatives are voting on the conference-based “play-in” proposal.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston was the first to report the news.
The NHLPA's Executive Board is taking a vote on the 24-team return-to-play format proposal. The vote is ongoing and results aren't expected until tomorrow.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 22, 2020
If the vote passes, there are still details to be worked out with the NHL. Players are voting on the format @FriedgeHNIC reported last night: Having the top-four teams per conference play each other, while the other 16 participate in a play-in round.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 22, 2020
The NHL return-to-play format currently under discussion allows for some jockeying among the top-four teams in each conference (BOS/TB/WASH/PHI … STL/COL/VGK/DAL). It would see them play each other — three games, in-conference — with the outcomes helping determine seeding.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 21, 2020
TSN’s Bob McKenzie believes NHLPA President Don Fehr has enough votes to accept the return-to-play plan though it won’t be known until later today.
It’s my understanding NHLPA conference call tonight was spirited if not raucous. While exec committee voting won’t be finalized until Friday, some believe Don Fehr may already have or will get the mandate to accept NHL RTP plan but not overwhelmingly so. https://t.co/bZKaHU79jx
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 22, 2020
Which is to suggest that even if there are enough votes to pass, it may still be a tough call. Emotional issue, as one might expect. We should have more clarity in the next 24 hours.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 22, 2020
According to Elliotte Friedman, if things continue to progress, training camps will likely not start before July. That syncs with a source’s knowledge, who works for a major vendor to the NHL, that tells RMNB that the league is targeting the 24-team playoff to begin in late July – if all goes right.
While having the return-to-play plan agreed upon would be a major step forward, there are still a lot of details to figure out, including “testing, safety protocols, PPE sourcing, families”, according to Friedman. “If you’ve skimmed through Major League Baseball’s 67-page protocol for its players, it feels overwhelming,” Friedman added.
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