1) The National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association have reached a tentative agreement on Phases 3 and 4 of the return-to-play plan as well a tentative agreement on the extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement though the 2025-26 season.Both need to be ratified before becoming official.
In terms of key dates for Phases 3 and 4 of the return-to-play plan, they are follows:
* July 13 -- Start of Phase 3 (formal training camps)
* July 26 -- Teams travel to their assigned hub city
* Aug 1 -- Start of Phase 4 (qualifying round)
The tentative agreement is now subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors, as well as the NHLPA’s Executive Board followed by the full NHLPA membership. The respective review and approval processes will take place over the next few days. It has been reported that players who wish to opt out (without penalty) of Phases 3 and 4 have to express that intention within 72 hours of ratification.
Key Policies for Phase 3
During Phase 2, players engaged in small-group workouts with no coaches on the ice. Phase 3 will be very similar to a typical pre-season training camp, both on and of the ice, including direct interactions with social distancing and other cororonavirus risk-reduction measures -- including enhanced testing -- in place.
Roster size: Maximum 30 skaters with an unlimited number of goaltenders. All Players who attend the Training Camp at the Club facility for Phase 3 must be eligible to play in the 2019/20 Stanley Cup playoffs.
With the exception of players with Covid-19 related health concerns or complications from active infections -- or with family members dealing with similar situations -- all players on the active roster will be expected to be on hand with their team for Phases 3 and 4 unless they opt out of participation.
For more on the protocols that will be followed during Phase 3, including testing procedures, quarantining regulations and the handling of positive tests,
click here.
The Phase 4 protocols, among other specifications, list the requirements for personnel admitted to arenas, travel arrangements, testing, players' families, expectations within and departure rules from the "secure zone" bubble and more:
Click here.
2) Kevin Hayes is the winner of the
2019-20 Gene Hart Memorial Award, selected by the official Flyers Fans Club in honor of the player who displays the most "heart" during the season.
“I’m humbled that the fan club chose me to receive this award, especially considering all of our success has come from an entire team effort and the willingness to give everything we have to win,” said Hayes. "This being my first year, I felt right at home from day 1. I love this team, organization, fan base and city. It’s hard not to love playing at the Wells Fargo Center every night in front of the best fans in the league.”
Each day this week, the Flyers will announce one additional team award winner. The schedule is as follows:
* TUE: Yanick Dupre Memorial Award
* WED: Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy
* THU: Barry Ashbee Memorial Trophy
* FRI: Bobby Clarke Trophy
3) Defense prospect Wyatt Kalynuk has reportedly elected to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks.
4) July 6: Happy 77th birthday wishes go out to Flyers Hall of Fame defenseman Joe Watson.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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