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NHLPA tacitly approves right-to-play format, work still remains

May 23, 2020, 10:23 PM ET [3 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The NHLPA, in a somewhat oddly worded announcement, authorized further negotiation with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format. Many decision remain, but at least we have a first step forward to seeing hockey back on the ice. The decision was fairly close to unanimous amongst the 31 player representatives, with the two dissenters not who was rumored originally.

NHLPA announcement:



What has yet to be decided includes the games per round in the play-in round and beyond as well as if the brackets will be re-seeded following the completion of a playoff series. Other issues facing the league include a definitive timeline, hub city locations and plans for housing families, and the financials of a return. In addition, the draft, which unless a ridiculous turn of events occurs in the very near-term, will not be in early-June. But beyond just the date, decisions loom there as well, as indicated by Larry Brooks in his  Slap Shots column.

We have heard some talk that the league is kicking around the concept of including the eight losers of the preliminary round of the tournament in a 15-team weighted lottery similar to the preceding four years in which separate drawings were held for the top three picks.


If this is to be the case, those teams, beyond the seven who will not be in the playoffs based on the current format, should be limited as to how far they can move up. In addition, as Brooks notes, consideration must be given to allowing all seven teams a shot at the first overall prize of Alexis Lafreniere. Prior speculation centered on teams having the ability to only move up a maximum of four spots with Detroit having a heavy edge of staying in one of the first two spots. This may end up an area of negotiation between the NHL and NHLPA.




The two teams dissenting on the plan were clearly not who we first thought. Reports trickled out that Pittsburgh had voted no, which would have explained all consternation that was revealed on a best-of-three series and facing Carey Price. The other rumored no vote was by Buffalo. But, presuming you believe Nick Kypreos, the two nay votes came from Tampa Bay, who in the current proposal would have a first round bye and face the winner of NYI-FLA, and Carolina, who would take on the Rangers in the play-in round.

We now have a better sense why Tampa voted no. Their concerns are those mentioned by others but they exercised their right to vote against the proposal. But, as seen in the column, the team still wants to play.




Carolina must be taking their cues from their regular season performance against the Blueshirts, forgetting that means nothing come the post-season. Perhaps the historical numbers of Henrik Lundqvist - which will be part of a different blog - is on their heads. Maybe the concern that Igor Shesterkin might dominate swayed their vote. Whatever the reason, I don't think any of us expected the 'Canes to be one of the no votes.




I am all for getting athletes back from overseas and able to play as soon as possible. But to me, that ruling is ridiculous. Many are in countries that relaxed the rules very early and could have been exposed to the virus. Getting them over early and verifying that they are not infected, by use of quarantine, seems to be the right way to go. We still don't know how the league would handle a positive test. Mixing in athletes from other countries right from the get-go could result in inflecting others, throwing a monkey wrench into all the ongoing planning. The NHL and/or NHLPA could have a different view and require a quarantine before athletes are able to resume team activities.

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