I don't know about you, but I'm actually finding some solace during these strange times in the NHL's rather optimistic and forward-looking approach to the COVID-19 situation.
Compared to the many other sporting events that have been cancelled or shut down for very specific periods of time, the NHL's "pause" and continued planning toward attempting to finish the season and awarding the Stanley Cup helps my brain believe that all the oddness will be in the rearview mirror sooner rather than later. I certainly don't hate the idea of hockey in July, either, if it comes to that!
NHL.com posted a handy FAQ on Saturday morning which covers many of the logistical questions I was freaking out about when the "pause" came into effect on Thursday.
Players have been asked, for the most part, to return to their home cities. Different arrangements can be made for players whose families are in other locations — such as players who were traded at the deadline.
While it is not mentioned on NHL.com,
Columbus Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline from The Athletic is reporting that players have been directed to self-quarantine.
From Portzline:
“While ‘self-quarantine’ will undoubtedly impose lifestyle limitations and may seem like an overly precautious measure,” reads a memo from deputy commissioner Bill Daly to the league’s board of governors, general managers and players, “adherence to the principles for the relatively brief period of time that our medical experts deem important should allow us to be in the best position possible to assess next steps regarding the potential resumption of play.”
I expected that players would be advised against gathering at their rinks to work out or skating elsewhere together. I imagine this will be a very tough directive for the players to follow — they're used to being so active, to travelling constantly and to being in groups, in a routine, with their schedules laid out for them.
It's said that's one of the reasons that a lot of players have a hard time adjusting to retirement, when all that structure goes away.
I hope teams are offering suggestions on how players can stay busy, keep active, and keep their brains engaged so that they don't get depressed or anxious — something I think we're all struggling with to some extent right now. I also hope teams are arranging for meal service of some sort. I can't imagine how the single guys, especially, would be able to fend for themselves!
The Canucks' new sponsorship deal with GoodFood.ca may well provide the solution to that issue:
The gamers around the league have a tool at their disposal that could help keep their heads on straight. Logging on to play Fortnite or NHL20 with teammates and other players — and maybe even fans — could help feed their competitive fire and keep them socially engaged.
As for working out:
"Until facilities reopen, players are encouraged to work out at home or outside, but not at public gyms."
Women's players are in the same boat — now adrift when they'd normally be in the heart of their training for the women's world championship.
Hilary Knight and Hannah Brandt of Team USA got creative and decided to try to combine a little at-home activity with Netflix's "Love Is Blind."
Protocols for injured NHL players are being determined in conjunction with team medical staffs. Word is that some sessions may be conducted using tools like FaceTime where possible, but it sounds like arrangements will be made for players who need hands-on treatment. Like Jacob Markstrom?
If the NHL is able to get back to work, the landscape will be very different if some of the injured players who had been listed as week-to-week are able to return to action. That's something I'll discuss more in a future blog.
Though it hasn't been across the board, a number of teams around the league — and in other sports — have implemented programs to help their part-time event employees who will be missing out on hours and paycheques while arenas are shut down.
Vanessa Jang has a detailed Twitter thread of teams that have made commitments.
The Canucks appear to be stopping short of what some teams are offering — but are making a gesture that exceeds what's happening in Calgary and Winnipeg, where no compensation is available.
Players are also stepping up in some markets with donations — $100K from Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida, for one.
Brad Marchand is publicizing a GoFundMe for TD Garden employees in Boston on his Twitter.
While the players are being paid through the end of the season, the fact that their salaries are ultimately determined by that 50/50 revenue split with the owners means that if the league's overall revenue drops — which it certainly does, when there are no games — the pool of Hockey Related Revenue will shrink, and money will be clawed back from the players.
This offers a very clear window into how and why escrow exists. The escrow deduction — which I believe is 14% this year — is made from players' cheques in the event of a possible shortfall compared to the initial revenue estimate for the 2019-20 season. If the players' share of HRR ends up being higher when the final accounting is done — usually about a year after each season ends — they get some money back. If the number is even lower than the escrow withholding, they'd have to pay even more money back to the league.
They're certainly still very well compensated in the big picture, but this situation will impact their bottom line just like for people in many other sectors.
The Canucks' FAQ is mostly focused on information for ticket holders.
Interesting to note that while the rest of Rogera Arena is closed, the Canucks Team Store currently remains open.
As
Ek posted on Friday, a big part of the reason why HockeyBuzz exists is because of the fans who still wanted to talk about hockey when there were no games during the 2004-05 lockout. He has some fun ideas for things we can discuss and argue about during this shutdown — even more necessary this time around, when we don't even have other sports to turn to for distraction.
So keep watching this space — I'll be around.
And — I liked this advice from Elliotte Friedman on the "31 Thoughts" podcast this week:
Make good choices.
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