NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 16, 2020

by | Mar 16, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 16, 2020

The NHL could be shut down until May, the latest on the potential effect upon the salary cap, and much more in today’s morning coffee headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending the cancellation or postponement of all events consisting of at least 50 people for eight weeks throughout the United States. That would mean the NHL is unlikely to return to action until mid-May at the earliest.

NHL arenas could remain dark until mid-May.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the league still intends on finishing the regular season and staging a full playoff schedule, the Stanley Cup wouldn’t be awarded until probably late July or early August.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Summer Olympics (July 24 – Aug. 9) could be the “drop-dead” period when resuming the NHL season no longer makes sense. He doubts the league wants the Stanley Cup Final going up against the Olympics. He also feels the NHL won’t drag out a decision if it gets a strong sense it cannot continue the season.

Citing multiple sources, LeBrun feels the league and the NHL Players Association won’t let teams fall into salary-cap hell by allowing the cap to drop by millions of dollars for 2020-21. In this exceptional circumstance, both sides can agree to an artificial cap that makes sense for all sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I and others (including LeBrun) have pointed out, the league and the PA agreed to an artificial cap for 2013-14 after coming out of the 2012-13 lockout, keeping it at the ’11-’12 level ($64.3 million). I expect they’ll at least maintain it at this season’s level ($81.5 million) if necessary.

TSN: LeBrun also reports it’s business as usual for college free agents hoping to sign NHL contracts. Colleague Mark Masters, meanwhile, interviewed two experts in the field of athletic performance over how the players can remain in shape during their period of self-quarantine.

Speaking of business as usual, the Anaheim Ducks yesterday placed forward Kiefer Sherwood on waivers.

SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reports the league wants its players to remain in the cities where they play for their protection and to make it easier to assess the overall health of the NHL community.

All five of Toronto’s professional sports teams combined to create a special assistance fund for event staff affected by the suspension of all major sports in the city.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens announced a support plan to assist game-day employees dealing with income loss during the pause to the NHL season.

WINNIPEG SUN: Following considerable public backlash, Jets chairman Mark Chipman announced the club would compensate part-time arena employees full pay for missed events.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames also reversed course under public pressure and will compensate their part-time and hourly employees.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps the Flames ownership was shamed into action after it was reported their players were donating to a fundraising page to assist those employees. The Ottawa Senators are reportedly the only Canadian team yet to announce any support plan for their employees.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators center Nick Bonino took to social media to urge the city’s citizens to stay away from large gatherings to prevent spreading the coronavirus. “There is no excuse,” he wrote. “We have a chance to lock down our cities now, close restaurants and bars, or, if safe, only offer takeout/delivery, anything to slow the spread.”

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Swedish Ice Hockey Association canceled the remainder of its season.

THE SCORE: The KHL is defending its decision to continue its playoffs despite one of its best teams (Jokerit) dropping out over coronavirus concerns. “The (COVID-19) pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, and in this regard, KHL is in consultation with clubs and all relevant authorities to diligently manage the impact of this matter.”

DEADSPIN: Now that quarantines are going into effect, Jesse Spector is revisiting old video games like NES Hockey.










Grading the NHL Trade Deadlines – Metropolitan Division Buyers

by | Mar 16, 2020

Grading the NHL Trade Deadlines – Metropolitan Division Buyers

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 15, 2020

by | Mar 15, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 15, 2020

The latest league news, how some teams are looking after its arena workers affected by the pause in the schedule, how this unexpected break will help several banged-up rosters, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

 

 

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the NHL will do whatever it takes to return to action and award a Stanley Cup champion this season, even if it means playing just a shortened playoff schedule without spectators. Doing so would allow the league to at least collect media-rights fees from broadcasting those games,

Will the NHL award the Stanley Cup this season?

If the season is canceled, the full 2020-21 season will proceed as usual, though the 2020 NHL Draft could become a teleconference affair. Buyouts and free agency would continue as normal, though the league and the NHL Players Association would have to agree to an artificial salary cap. If the number is the same as last season or lower, amnesty buyouts might have to be implemented to make the system work.

Should the league return to action and the playoffs extend into July, next season’s schedule will have to change, as will the dates for contract buyouts, free agency and the draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rules regarding trades aren’t mentioned, but if the league returns to action in May or even June, I expect they’ll follow the usual off-season template. In other words, no trades over the rest of the regular season. When the post-season starts, non-playoff clubs will be allowed to make trades with each other, followed by clubs that are eliminated from post-season play. Once the playoffs are finished, everyone can get trade freely, though they’ll likely all wait until the salary cap for next season is determined.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: The Blackhawks are joining several NHL clubs in ensuring its arena staff adversely affected by the postponement of the NHL schedule receive compensation.

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula are also ensuring their arena staff continues to be paid. They’re also having their staff work from home if possible.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has committed to relief for his arena’s part-time employees. “They’re pulling together who works consistently, how many games are we actually going to miss,” Dundon said. “We’ll do something, though.”

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins parent company is “actively exploring support options” for their associates (arena employees). Meanwhile, several Bruins players have donated to a GoFundMe campaign to support TD Garden employees affected by the schedule postponement.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers announced plans to help its employees make up the difference between their regular salaries and what employment insurance covers. The Calgary Flames, however, indicated it won’t assist their part-time, hourly, and event staff who will be underemployed during the suspension of the NHL season.

 

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets ownership is doubling down on its decision not to pay their staff affected by the schedule shutdown.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not a good look for the Jets during a pandemic. The club’s billionaire owner could easily afford to compensate those workers. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s any significant backlash.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The pause in the NHL schedule could help the banged-up Blue Jackets get some players back in time for when (if?) play resumes this season. Among the sidelined are Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, and Oliver Bjorkstand.

DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche could also benefit from this layoff. “Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky and Matt Calvert all were on “mid-March” return schedules, and superstar center Nathan MacKinnon is already a week into his projected one- to two-week absence.”

VANCOUVER SUN: The Canucks could also have a healthier roster if the league resumes play in a few weeks. Their sidelined players include Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev and Jay Beagle.

SPORTSNET: The ECHL canceled the remainder of their season and playoffs.

NBC SPORTS: Jokerit has pulled out of the KHL playoffs over coronavirus concerns.










Looking Back at the Last Time A Pandemic Halted the NHL Season

by | Mar 15, 2020

Looking Back at the Last Time A Pandemic Halted the NHL Season

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 14, 2020

by | Mar 14, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 14, 2020

The latest roundup of the NHL’s plans during the postponement of this season and more in today’s morning coffee headlines.

HEADLINES

THE SCORE: The NHL distributed a memo to its players yesterday outlining its plans for the coming days during the postponement of its schedule over coronavirus concerns.

The players will continue receiving their paychecks for the remainder of the season during their normal pay period. They’re also asked to self-quarantine themselves for a week in their club’s city and avoid travel, though they will be allowed to see family outside of their respective cities provided they alert their general manager.

The NHL could re-open their training facilities in a week’s time.

They are to work out at home and avoid informal skates at public arenas. Players rehabbing injuries will be allowed if necessary to continue using team facilities. Following the quarantine period, the league hopes to re-open facilities for players to work on conditioning before introducing a training camp period.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said there would be no mandatory testing of players for COVID-19, but testing will be conducted if a player exhibits symptoms or becomes sick. He added the league will work in close conjunction with the NHL Players Association regarding the schedule, noting both sides can agree to extend existing contracts to accommodate the resumption of play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Jared Clinton believes the NHL will follow the lead of the National Basketball Association regarding the resumption of play. Both leagues share the same arenas. If the NBA returns in 30 days, the NHL could quickly follow suit.

A growing list of NHL teams will compensate their respective arena staffs for postponed games. They include the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Washington Capitals.

Florida Panther goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is pledging $100K to his club’s arena workers. His pledge will be matched by his teammates, with club ownership pledging to take care of outstanding amounts.

TVA SPORTS: No official word yet from the Montreal Canadiens regarding Bell Centre employees, but it’s expected they will also follow suit.

WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen believes the Jets must step up and do right by MTS Centre employees. Club chairman Mark Chipman said Thursday those employees aren’t full-time. “They work when we work. So, regrettably, to the extent that we’re not putting on shows and games, those people obviously would not have a call to work.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m willing to give Chipman the benefit of the doubt and suggest he was preoccupied with the fallout from the league’s announcement it was pausing the season. However, it won’t be a good look for the Jets if they won’t compensate MTS Centre workers when other NHL clubs are looking after their own.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is still counting on the 2020-21 season to begin on time and run its usual course.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Hockey Hall of Fame will be closed from March 14 to April 6 over coronavirus concerns.

LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL: Coronavirus concerns prompted the family of the late Henri Richard to close his funeral to the public. The Montreal Canadiens Hall-of-Famer passed away last week at age 84. His funeral will be Monday, March 16.

TSN: The Department of Player Safety determined New York Rangers winger Brendan Lemieux will be suspended for his hit on Colorado Avalanche winger Joonas Donskoi on Wednesday. “The precise parameters of the suspension will be determined and announced once resumption of play guidelines have been established.”










Road to the 2020 Stanley Cup Goes Through the Central Division

by | Mar 14, 2020

Road to the 2020 Stanley Cup Goes Through the Central Division