Per several reports, the NHL has extended its self-quarantining period through April 15.
This is the second time the NHL has extended its self-isolation date since originally giving guidance to stay at home through March 27. Last week they extended it to April 4 and now they have pushed it 11 days later.
No surprise the NHL has again pushed back the period of self-quarantine to April 15. Bill Daly recently said "we’re biting this off in chunks" — meaning they're setting target dates and making decisions as each approaches while consulting the latest available information.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 31, 2020
So, unless there's a huge flattening of the curve with COVID-19 in the next 10 days or so, that self-quarantine period will likely be extended by the NHL again.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 31, 2020
Four NHL players (two on Ottawa, two on Colorado) have tested positive for coronavirus since the outbreak forced the suspension of the NHL season. Over 179k people have tested positive in the United States while tragically over 3,500 have died.
The NHL has asked its teams to secure home dates into July and August. NHL deputy commissioner Billy Daly still believes it may be possible to conclude the season.
“I will say that it remains our hope, if not our goal, to be playing hockey sooner than then,” Daly said to NHL.com. “Depending on how things play out, we’d love to be playing sometime in the spring, and then if we have to leak into early summer, we’d love to have that problem. But I don’t think we’re far enough along in understanding where this is going to know what’s possible at this point in time. …
“We think if we were required to, we might have the ability to play in August. If we have to fit games in, we’ll find ways to fit games in.”
Meanwhile, the NHL expansion franchise Seattle has shown interest to host next year’s NHL Draft, meaning Montreal – who was set to host this year’s event but it was postponed – may not get to until 2022.
Seattle has shown interest in hosting next year's NHL draft (June '21) given that it could be paired with its expansion draft. NHL was supposed to be in Seattle this week or next for a look at things but obviously that's on hold now during the health crisis.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 31, 2020
Montreal, as we reported last week, should get its full draft either next year or in June 2022…. Seattle makes sense for next year but not clear if they can pull it off at this stage (rink, hotels, etc)
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 31, 2020
