While we may know what the NHL season will look like when it returns, we still do not know when that may actually happen. But with restrictions continually evolving and beginning to ease up in many cities across North America, it looks like the league could transition to Phase 2, voluntary activities at team facilities, possibly sometime in June.
Because of Phases 2 and Phase 3, training camps could be on the horizon, and we may start to see more players begin returning to Washington in the coming days. Just what the timeline may be for those transitions or for the players returning, however, remains very fluid.
"We have people that are in contact with certain officials within the government," general manager Brian MacLellan said in a video conference Friday. "Most of our conversation is with the NHL, the executives at the NHL. Some of our players - a lot of communication with trainers and team doctors. I think that's where our main focus or my main focus has been. We're trying to comply with what we believe are regulations that are continually evolving."
MacLellan added he was "Waiting on direction from the league but trying to be prepared for whatever day they open it up for us."
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But even when the facilities open, that does not mean MacLellan is expecting everyone to be back anytime soon and acknowledged that the varying comfort levels of each player regarding the coronavirus would largely dictate who returns for Phase 2 activities.
"I think the level of comfort varies across the board, just like it would I think anybody else in society," MacLellan said. "Some players are very concerned. Some players, their comfort level's high and they're ready to go. The communication, a lot of it comes from trainers, team doctors, the PA communicates to players. There's a negotiation between the league and the PA on certain concerns players have. The player reps voice concerns of individual players. I think it's all over the map. I think our job is to listen to the experts, listen to the league, listen to the concerns of the PA and the players and try and create an environment that we can continue to move forward in."
MacLellan made clear the team would not force or pressure anyone to return for Phase 2. But after Phase 2 comes training camps. While Phase 2 may be optional, the training camps are not.
MacLellan said he wants the players to do what they are comfortable within Phase 2 and anticipates some will remain at their current location and time their workouts and two-week quarantine to be ready for the start of camp.
"European guys, guys coming from out of town, I think they'll filter in as we get closer to the July 10th, if that's the actual date for training camp, I think guys will try and time it where they work out at home, kind of schedule in their two-week quarantine and a little bit period to skate, and then go to training camp," MacLellan said. "I would assume that's the way they would approach it."
The current situation stands in stark contrast to the normally regimented schedule of the NHL and the offseason. There's no set return date for workouts, there's no set return date for training camps and there is no set return date for the playoffs. The world continues to grapple with a pandemic and MacLellan has to prepare the team to make a run at the Stanley Cup while also being cognizant of the players' health concerns and he has to do it all without knowing if or when the league will progress through each phase.
It's a confusing time.
MacLellan said the team was "Trying to do the best we can to prepare to open up the rink and to allow guys to work out, and I think most importantly, to allow guys to feel comfortable with the environment that we're creating, that they can come in and work out and are reasonably protected from being infected from the virus."
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