This morning 14 players for Florida Marlins, who just played a series in Philadelphia, tested positive for Covid 19. Their next series has been cancelled, they are not flying back to Florida yet, and the Philles vs. Yankees tonight is cancelled. Our thoughts are with all the players and their families for sure..
But can I just say something...
"Thank You NHL. Thank You Players. Thank You Canada."
The fact that the NHL is doing this the way they are doing this and that they are doing so in Canada, who has gone out of their way to be amazing in every way after Quarantining the right way...We are lucky.
I know this isn't about us fans (or those of us dependant on the sport for our livelihood) but the fact the NHL did this the way they are doing it...In a sealed area without travel allows the many fans out there a chance to look forward a little more to the desperately needed escape that this tournament is about to bring to our lives.
This whole thing has been horrible and made worse by the stress removal of our sports and entertainment. These are our escapes. There is a reason I don't allow politics to be discussed here in the team blog. There are plenty of places to go for political debate and other stuff that divides us. Hockey unites us in a common goal. Philly/NY, Montreal/Toronto, Calgary/Edmonton, Chicago/Detroit...We can hate each other on a fun and puffed up level....and that helps bond us in the end.
Had the NHL decided to travel around like MLB. Had the players played hardball like the baseball players, and most importantly had Canada and Canadiens NOT taken such good care, worn their masks, and respected this crazy virus.....we would not about to be launching into what might be the most intense and enjoyable tournament of hockey we have ever witnessed.
I will be back later with a rumor update and a chart update....but first, lets take an opportunity here to really thank the league, the players and Canada for saving us!
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017