Sam Hitchcock: Observations for a Potential Lightning-Leafs Matchup

This is going to be a great series if the playoffs do happen. It will also be fun to watch one of our division rivals get bounced in the first round again.... I'm not even sure who I would root against in this one.

Since players technically don't get paid for playoff work, I'd expect the Leafs to fold like a cheap tent, as usual. Matthews can work on his tan in Arizona. Nylander can strut around Sweden showing off his hair. Tavares and Marner can just count their cash thanks to Dubas overspending.

Since players technically don't get paid for playoff work, I'd expect the Leafs to fold like a cheap tent, as usual. Matthews can work on his tan in Arizona. Nylander can strut around Sweden showing off his hair. Tavares and Marner can just count their cash thanks to Dubas overspending.
- Kooleus

16 teams are against the cap but who's counting...

I know we want things to talk about, but let's cut the fantasy. It's not happening.

Trump's call top sports commisionaires was hilarious yesterday. He told them 1 thing, then said a completely different thing to the press in his daily Covid update.

Not sure the man can keep track of his b.s.

Imagine if he had to translate everything he said like Trudeau?

I know we want things to talk about, but let's cut the fantasy. It's not happening.

Trump's call top sports commisionaires was hilarious yesterday. He told them 1 thing, then said a completely different thing to the press in his daily Covid update.

Not sure the man can keep track of his b.s.

Imagine if he had to translate everything he said like Trudeau?
- RogerRoeper

My dog would be better at managing this crisis. At least my dog is not a Nazi or a pedophile and believes in science. Enough said about Mango Mussolini.

I seriously doubt we see any hockey in 2020. Once the vaccine comes out sometime in mid-2021, we might see some sports. Until then, it would be stupid to even try it.

This is going to be a great series if the playoffs do happen. It will also be fun to watch one of our division rivals get bounced in the first round again.... I'm not even sure who I would root against in this one.


- Mahewman

Yeah, Toronto versus Tampa is a win-win for Boston.

If I am a Bruins fan, I am hoping that series goes to seven games and every game is triple-overtime.

My dog would be better at managing this crisis. At least my dog is not a Nazi or a pedophile and believes in science. Enough said about Mango Mussolini.

I seriously doubt we see any hockey in 2020. Once the vaccine comes out sometime in mid-2021, we might see some sports. Until then, it would be stupid to even try it.
- GalacticStone

I've never seen such a mess the way the big orange man is handling things.

Yeah, Toronto versus Tampa is a win-win for Boston.

If I am a Bruins fan, I am hoping that series goes to seven games and every game is triple-overtime.
- GalacticStone

I honestly think if NHl returned there are 16 cup contedeers (If 16 teams played). I don't buy it';; be the same contenders as before this break,

My dog would be better at managing this crisis. At least my dog is not a Nazi or a pedophile and believes in science. Enough said about Mango Mussolini.

I seriously doubt we see any hockey in 2020. Once the vaccine comes out sometime in mid-2021, we might see some sports. Until then, it would be stupid to even try it.
- GalacticStone

There will be sports in 2020... the leagues can't sustain if they don't play. It might be fanless and in Arizona for Baseball, North Dakota for Hockey but they need the television revenue. Whether I agree with it or not I would be shocked if there are not sports by the fall regardless if its good or bad due to the virus.

There will be sports in 2020... the leagues can't sustain if they don't play. It might be fanless and in Arizona for Baseball, North Dakota for Hockey but they need the television revenue. Whether I agree with it or not I would be shocked if there are not sports by the fall regardless if its good or bad due to the virus.
- stammerman

That's what I thought at first, but when you really start to examine the logistics of it, it becomes extremely problematic. For example, if you get rid of fans, that greatly reduces potential exposure by limiting crowds. But, an NHL team brings a big retinue of staff, interns, and contractors. All of these people will need lodging, transportation, and services while they are in town. If there are still social distancing guidelines in effect, that becomes very difficult. Work-arounds and exceptions could be made, but that opens up legal and liability issues as well.

Revenue is going to take a beating either way you go. The NHL, MLB, NFL, and NBA are built to be spectator sports. Their entire team and league revenue models are built on fans, whether it's ticket sales or merchandising. Take away live venue ticket sales and it puts a lot of pressure on streaming services and merchandising (not good in a recession).

With an effective vaccine on the market, everything can return to quasi-normal and we can have sports again without worrying about localized outbreaks when the anti-vaxxer hotdog vendor sneezes into the ketchup. Until there is a vaccine, it is asking players to take a huge risk to do something that is a passion, but it is a non-essential entertainment. If a player decides sitting a bench with more than 10 people is a risk to their own life, it could open a legal can of worms with safety and oversight regulations on state and federal levels. Also, two countries with two different legal systems are involved, and a lot of players are scattered across the world in Europe and Russia right now as they wait out this pandemic.

Look, if it can be done safely and responsibly, then I am all for resuming the season and having sports sometime in 2020.

Honestly though, I think it's wishful thinking until something changes.....

I would love to be wrong.

That's what I thought at first, but when you really start to examine the logistics of it, it becomes extremely problematic. For example, if you get rid of fans, that greatly reduces potential exposure by limiting crowds. But, an NHL team brings a big retinue of staff, interns, and contractors. All of these people will need lodging, transportation, and services while they are in town. If there are still social distancing guidelines in effect, that becomes very difficult. Work-arounds and exceptions could be made, but that opens up legal and liability issues as well.

Revenue is going to take a beating either way you go. The NHL, MLB, NFL, and NBA are built to be spectator sports. Their entire team and league revenue models are built on fans, whether it's ticket sales or merchandising. Take away live venue ticket sales and it puts a lot of pressure on streaming services and merchandising (not good in a recession).

With an effective vaccine on the market, everything can return to quasi-normal and we can have sports again without worrying about localized outbreaks when the anti-vaxxer hotdog vendor sneezes into the ketchup. Until there is a vaccine, it is asking players to take a huge risk to do something that is a passion, but it is a non-essential entertainment. If a player decides sitting a bench with more than 10 people is a risk to their own life, it could open a legal can of worms with safety and oversight regulations on state and federal levels. Also, two countries with two different legal systems are involved, and a lot of players are scattered across the world in Europe and Russia right now as they wait out this pandemic.

Look, if it can be done safely and responsibly, then I am all for resuming the season and having sports sometime in 2020.

Honestly though, I think it's wishful thinking until something changes.....

I would love to be wrong.
- GalacticStone

The PODUFUS wanted the country open by this Sunday at one point a couple weeks ago. I am sure if the leagues want to play and the players agree (they aren't getting paid so they might want to play) this government who caters to big business wont step in and they will figure out a way to play. Again whether we agree with it or not. Interesting times ahead.

The PODUFUS wanted the country open by this Sunday at one point a couple weeks ago. I am sure if the leagues want to play and the players agree (they aren't getting paid so they might want to play) this government who caters to big business wont step in and they will figure out a way to play. Again whether we agree with it or not. Interesting times ahead.
- stammerman

I have to wonder about how some player contracts are worded or how the player-owner agreement is worded to address a prolonged stoppage. Are some contracts guaranteed? If the season is cancelled, how does that impact the disbursement of lost bonuses? And then there is insurance. Will team premiums increase to cover the risk to players who come out to play?

Indeed, these are interesting times. I am not a lawyer or economist. I don't have a dog in the fight other than being a long-time hockey fan. I don't follow any other sports, college or pro. I honestly don't know what to expect, so I am just running on gut. And my gut is frequently wrong. LOL.

I have to wonder about how some player contracts are worded or how the player-owner agreement is worded to address a prolonged stoppage. Are some contracts guaranteed? If the season is cancelled, how does that impact the disbursement of lost bonuses? And then there is insurance. Will team premiums increase to cover the risk to players who come out to play?

Indeed, these are interesting times. I am not a lawyer or economist. I don't have a dog in the fight other than being a long-time hockey fan. I don't follow any other sports, college or pro. I honestly don't know what to expect, so I am just running on gut. And my gut is frequently wrong. LOL.
- GalacticStone

I read an article that the NHL Players Union is going to vote weather or not to take every players last check due April 15th and put it into escrow to help offset future loses due to the 50/50 split with owners and most likely it will be approved. The players will not be happy with that, that is a lot of lost salary. I agree with you I don't know the whole situation but I do know big business will always try to make money first. Strange times all around.