Stoppage of the NHL season has happened. Stoppage of life as we know it has happened. When do we get back to normal? That is the question on everyone's mind.
The players have been sent home. This has triggered some speculation that the shut down in longer term than expected. Could it mean the end of the NHL season for 2019-2020? When the 'pause' in the season was announced the NHL stated that they would award the Stanley Cup this season and intends to play again.
New Proposal
As reported on TSN.com the players have proposed the following timeline:
July: Training Camp and Finish to Regular Season
August & September: Playoffs
Draft & Free Agency: October
Start of 2020-2021 Season: November
Several questions spring to mind right away?
Will the finish to the regular season include all scheduled games or just enough games to get the teams even in games played? I would expect each team would get to play games, but not likely the entire remaining schedule.
Can the arenas handle having the playoffs in the summer? Warmer climate teams struggle with this during the regular season, I can only imagine what may happen in older buildings. Temp control will work, but I bet we get some interesting fog conditions at the start.
How does the short off season impact players for next season? Does player safety come into play? A short off season coupled with a more-than-likely compressed 2020-2021 may result in fatigue and injury. Players need to consider those impacts on their health and length of playing career.
Scheduling concerns. The NBA will need to restart around the same time as will other events that share those buildings such as concerts. Does this mean day games for either the NHL or NBA? It could, in order to accommodate both. Given that the NBA and NHL try to extend their season and playoffs past a normal time frame, scheduling concerns continue in 2020-2021 with compressed schedules for both leagues.
The world is changing everyday, more now than ever. Things we never though we would see cancelled have been and life has been put on hold. Is it unthinkable that the NHL should just cancel the remainder of the season and start again in 2020-2021?
The fact is that there is not an end in sight for this pandemic. I'm not trying to be alarmist, but no one has said that we can begin to restart regular life or that we have the 'all-clear'. In particular it is going the other direction. Schools are still being cancelled, restaurants, bars, gyms and churches are being closed. What indication is there that we can start planning for the end of this NHL season?
On the optimistic side, it is good that people are thinking about getting back to normal. The importance of health and safety have been thrust into the forefront of life and it has shifted everyone's priories. Sports have become an extracurricular activity once again. While I will not go as far as to say sport is unimportant or unnecessary, we have all gained a little perspective. People have begun to understand what it takes to educate our children and the real value of schools.
Hockey will be back, sooner rather than later. Hang in there gang and keep safe and healthy...
Good Luck to everyone.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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