But the quality of the product will suck. No action for months, and then right into playoffs? Might as well watch a beer league, at least when the play sucks it is expected. There is a reason there is an exhibition season.
- powerenforcer

YUP, maybe in the FIRST game in each series, but after that most of the teams are getting back injured guys, and the rest of the players not laid up prior HAVE to be more healthy than these same guys at the shut-down, because the regular season always wears on the players...not so this time, right?

Saddest thing about it is they will surely engrave some team on the cup for "this" season.
- rpeters01

Why? The Hawks won a cup in a shortened season. What if the full season is played? The Hawks might suffer a major injury or two and never win the cup. Do we discredit that cup win? NO.

Teams still get a chance to go out and compete. If some players haven't been training then it is on those players. No different then certain players taking better care of themselves than others throughout a long season and the off-season.

At the end of the day sports is entertainment. Sports are around to entertain the masses. Let them play. These guys are highly paid professionals.

Good to have another Hawk fan in the Commonwealth.
- gmurban

Although I don't post often, I am another Black Hawk fan living in Virginia; there's quite a few of us around, judging by the HB posts.

Well exactly, at what point is it completely safe? Also, I imagine since the virus is still relatively new they are studying mutation rates and they still don’t know exactly what that looks like I would think.

So they do develop a vaccine and it’s effective against the original strain, will it confer immunity to a mutated one? Who the hell knows.

So yes I would have preferred they scrap the season but to Chunk’s point they probably won’t have a vaccine ready in the fall so why start then either?

Since it looks like they may play, please forgive me and anyone else for finding a shred of joy in it.
- HawkintheD

I do hope they play. Edzo said technically the start time of the camps since the layoff is equal to an entire off season?

So how would that work, SC playoffs, 1 month off, then start the next season?

Who am I?

I’m someone that’s had it up to (frank)ing here with all these miserable (frank)ing people and their pessimistic attitudes/outlooks. Seriously it’s taken it’s toll on me...(Incase you couldn’t tell). Every (frank)ing day I’m reading and listening to more and more negativity. It’s cancerous. If it’s not about the “sham playoffs” its about the virus. Or both.

And Incase you haven’t noticed cuz you’ve been too busy complaining and being miserable, there are PLENTY of sports leagues across the globe that are starting up again/not canceling their season. Why the hell would the NHL be any different? And why have these leagues been able to restart? Because the pandemic, believe it or not(I’m gonna guess in your case it’s “not”), is gradually going away. Things are improving, and if they keep trending this way what on earth is so wrong with the NHL resuming a unique post season format to crown a champ?
- SimpleJack

I disdain writing as the purveyor of negativity or unsettling news to you. I admit there is some room to take up a different attitude or belief about the pandemic. How you want to define it is your choice I feel it is very clear there remains serious concerns and perhaps only somewhat is the virus going away soon. The racial rioting is in itself another pandemic and that is also a problem

Both the covid19 and racial pandemic are going to linger even if remedial help alleviates some of the inherent problems

The world is going to be open for hits on both fronts maybe forever Another virus comes along (blame on China again?). Another film of police brutality crops up. Let me also say, school/mall/workplace shootings have not and probably will not abate either.

As far as the covid19, large group of Spanish and African American people throughout the country have experienced spikes. Too often there is lack of responsibility or proper care for kids and the poor within those groups. And you have homeless and all poor people too - is the government going to bus them to centers for testing? Right. Not until vivid remains an issue even while the number of cases could dwindle. And how long does it take for an entire country to get inoculated?

Health and racial issues are going to be around hopefully not as big a problem but still present forever iMHO. Society forever needs to be safe and cautious. It is what it is. And is there a recession coming due to the terrible impact upon society from both covid19 and racial tension - you better be ready to grasp that.

Both Trump and Biden have lots of issues so beware of leadership too.

So how would that work, SC playoffs, 1 month off, then start the next season?
- BetweenTheDots

Nothing I've read so far says anything about next year being discussed yet. The only thing I've found is that they were comfortable pushing the start of next year until late Dec (and one report even said early 2021).

Hey Duff. This whole situation comes down to a risk assessment. There is no guarantee that a vaccine will be developed and can be produced at the required scale. In that scenario, (I'm assuming) you would not be comfortable beginning next season.

In my estimation, virtually everything outside of video games is more important that sports. That doesn't mean that it is not important. Huge numbers of jobs, medical advancements (finding new ways to heal significant injuries), and tax revenue are only some of the important factors.

I'm not against what you are saying, but this is more than just a money grab (IMO). Should baseball, football, and basketball cancel their seasons? At what point is it safe to come back?
- Chunk

I am all for getting next season started safely . Just like every other hockey league in the world that has also shut down for this period . I am against a sterilized Stanly Cup playoff .The season has been over for 3 months starting a playoffs 4 months or more after the season has ended is not a true playoff it is equivalent of pre seasons hockey and has noting to do with last season . All other HOCKEY leagues see this .Not Bettman because he is not a hockey person he is nothing but a money curbing lawyer .Who has no concept of the NHL and it traditions and history . Bettman and his goon Daily had no problem shutting it down in the name of greed and a salary cap . All of a sudden he see's a chance to try and capitalize on a human tragedy and make some money and gain some market share he is ready to move heaven and earth to have Mickey mouse playoff to satisfies corporate America at any cost . Brutal

This is going to be the big problem. there is no such thing as completely safe. It is likely going to have to come down to what is considered "safe enough".
- Chunk

A head injury is probably a bigger risk for many of these guys as opposed to the virus.

I am all for getting next season started safely . Just like every other hockey league in the world that has also shut down for this period . I am against a sterilized Stanly Cup playoff .The season has been over for 3 months starting a playoffs 4 months or more after the season has ended is not a true playoff it is equivalent of pre seasons hockey and has noting to do with last season . All other HOCKEY leagues see this .Not Bettman because he is not a hockey person he is nothing but a money curbing lawyer .Who has no concept of the NHL and it traditions and history . Bettman and his goon Daily had no problem shutting it down in the name of greed and a salary cap . All of a sudden he see's a chance to try and capitalize on a human tragedy and make some money and gain some market share he is ready to move heaven and earth to have Mickey mouse playoff to satisfies corporate America at any cost . Brutal
- oldduffman

Nothing is even finalized yet. The restart is still very much in doubt because they have to see if the infection rate spikes again. As far as I know, they are going to do this in empty stadiums.

We obviously see this differently. I just don't understand the disdain for trying to start the business back up again.

Nothing is even finalized yet. The restart is still very much in doubt because they have to see if the infection rate spikes again. As far as I know, they are going to do this in empty stadiums.

We obviously see this differently. I just don't understand the disdain for trying to start the business back up again.
- Chunk

Saying re-start happens is creditable enough point - of- view; saying the cities Minnesota St Paul or Chicago as hub cities appears highly unlikely if twin pandemics of Covid19 and civil unrest is part of the equation

Game 6 vs Boston is on right now on NBCSC

Although I don't post often, I am another Black Hawk fan living in Virginia; there's quite a few of us around, judging by the HB posts.
- stanleyhawk

and one relocated from VA to NC

Nothing is even finalized yet. The restart is still very much in doubt because they have to see if the infection rate spikes again. As far as I know, they are going to do this in empty stadiums.

We obviously see this differently. I just don't understand the disdain for trying to start the business back up again.
- Chunk

With the protests going on logic says we will see a big spike in a month, but hopefully NHL still happens

I still can't believe Boston traded Seguin

Saying re-start happens is creditable enough point - of- view; saying the cities Minnesota St Paul or Chicago as hub cities appears highly unlikely if twin pandemics of Covid19 and civil unrest is part of the equation
- jhawk59

Civil unrest will rest. I imagine one hotel will be able to harbor all the teams. It can work here

Nothing is even finalized yet. The restart is still very much in doubt because they have to see if the infection rate spikes again. As far as I know, they are going to do this in empty stadiums.

We obviously see this differently. I just don't understand the disdain for trying to start the business back up again.
- Chunk

Hey Chuck there is nothing wrong with having alternative views here ,I just wish they would wait and get it going next year like every other hockey league in the world is doing . I don't believe a lot of players are real keen on playing anyway . The season being over for so long makes this just another tournament ,not a NHL playoffs . So not worthy of a Stanly Cup Champion . And therefore in my mind not worth the time and money being wasted . If there is a second wave and I can't see why there will not be all the expensive PPE will have been better used in hospitals then hockey rinks . .

I do hope they play. Edzo said technically the start time of the camps since the layoff is equal to an entire off season?
- BetweenTheDots

I could see that. They've been out for two solid months now so not that crazy.

I disdain writing as the purveyor of negativity or unsettling news to you. I admit there is some room to take up a different attitude or belief about the pandemic. How you want to define it is your choice I feel it is very clear there remains serious concerns and perhaps only somewhat is the virus going away soon. The racial rioting is in itself another pandemic and that is also a problem

Both the covid19 and racial pandemic are going to linger even if remedial help alleviates some of the inherent problems

The world is going to be open for hits on both fronts maybe forever Another virus comes along (blame on China again?). Another film of police brutality crops up. Let me also say, school/mall/workplace shootings have not and probably will not abate either.

As far as the covid19, large group of Spanish and African American people throughout the country have experienced spikes. Too often there is lack of responsibility or proper care for kids and the poor within those groups. And you have homeless and all poor people too - is the government going to bus them to centers for testing? Right. Not until vivid remains an issue even while the number of cases could dwindle. And how long does it take for an entire country to get inoculated?

Health and racial issues are going to be around hopefully not as big a problem but still present forever iMHO. Society forever needs to be safe and cautious. It is what it is. And is there a recession coming due to the terrible impact upon society from both covid19 and racial tension - you better be ready to grasp that.

Both Trump and Biden have lots of issues so beware of leadership too.
- jhawk59

Hey jhawk...a couple of thoughts on Covid. I have followed this pandemic rigorously from the medical and research angle. Keeping up with the latest posts and publications from journals...let me say this upfront the media coverage of this was a thorough disgrace of politcalization and misinformation. The data is clear. This was disease killer for those with co-morbidities above 65. .6% of the population (nursing home and assisted living) accounted for 43% of the deaths so far. The under 18 demo had almost no risk of hospitalization or death and largely asymptomatic. Under 35 slightly elevated risks...most severe cases involved co-morbities. New data coming out is showing this is more than a respiratory-pneumonia contagion and supports cardiovascular and other organ damage. Influenza viruses do not do this. Also its spread was asymetric geographically. New York has accounted for 50% of the cases and almost 30% of the death. In the county I live in Virginia (25,000 pop): 25 cases, 0 hosp and 0 death. https://elemental.medium....rom-covid-19-bc9251989bc8

Hey jhawk...a couple of thoughts on Covid. I have followed this pandemic rigorously from the medical and research angle. Keeping up with the latest posts and publications from journals...let me say this upfront the media coverage of this was a thorough disgrace of politcalization and misinformation. The data is clear. This was disease killer for those with co-morbidities above 65. .6% of the population (nursing home and assisted living) accounted for 43% of the deaths so far. The under 18 demo had almost no risk of hospitalization or death and largely asymptomatic. Under 35 slightly elevated risks...most severe cases involved co-morbities. New data coming out is showing this is more than a respiratory-pneumonia contagion and supports cardiovascular and other organ damage. Influenza viruses do not do this. Also its spread was asymetric geographically. New York has accounted for 50% of the cases and almost 30% of the death. In the county I live in Virginia (25,000 pop): 25 cases, 0 hosp and 0 death. https://elemental.medium....rom-covid-19-bc9251989bc8
- bogiedoc

And yet you left Chicago

And yet you left Chicago
- BetweenTheDots

left the great dystopia of chicago 5 years ago...very very happy to be out of there...

left the great dystopia of chicago 5 years ago...very very happy to be out of there...
- bogiedoc

Oh i misunderstood i thought you left cause of the Virus

left the great dystopia of chicago 5 years ago...very very happy to be out of there...
- bogiedoc

Yea Chicago isn't for everyone

Hey Chuck there is nothing wrong with having alternative views here ,I just wish they would wait and get it going next year like every other hockey league in the world is doing . I don't believe a lot of players are real keen on playing anyway . The season being over for so long makes this just another tournament ,not a NHL playoffs . So not worthy of a Stanly Cup Champion . And therefore in my mind not worth the time and money being wasted . If there is a second wave and I can't see why there will not be all the expensive PPE will have been better used in hospitals then hockey rinks . .
- oldduffman

Both bloggers have rationale good points and I feel both provide solid contributiion on this board

While I suspect next season begins and may be characterized as a weak checking style displayed more often Han ever, I feel like everyone should have a real vacation or off season no matter the plans for starting up in December. Any sport it is refreshening to have at least a little time off.

I do not want yo see porous hickey and that comes with out of shape, poor ice, thoughts elsewhere. Anything less than full throttle ahead is just a sham .

Oh sure I would enjoy hockey in the summer even if it was less than up to par. Yet after all we as a society currently endure regarding the pandemics z(plural), it is probably best to end the season now.

I just happen to believe the NHL will not accept that. Players might be divided on return to play; owners are wanting and want playoffs.

Yea Chicago isn't for everyone
- BetweenTheDots

You're still here. Why dont you leave.

I am all for getting next season started safely . Just like every other hockey league in the world that has also shut down for this period . I am against a sterilized Stanly Cup playoff .The season has been over for 3 months starting a playoffs 4 months or more after the season has ended is not a true playoff it is equivalent of pre seasons hockey and has noting to do with last season . All other HOCKEY leagues see this .Not Bettman because he is not a hockey person he is nothing but a money curbing lawyer .Who has no concept of the NHL and it traditions and history . Bettman and his goon Daily had no problem shutting it down in the name of greed and a salary cap . All of a sudden he see's a chance to try and capitalize on a human tragedy and make some money and gain some market share he is ready to move heaven and earth to have Mickey mouse playoff to satisfies corporate America at any cost . Brutal
- oldduffman

Please
Stop talking