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Forums :: Blog World :: Ryan Wilson: Most players not comfortable with NHL restart plan
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Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Rochester, NY
Joined: 06.13.2013

Jun 30 @ 12:34 PM ET
Ryan Wilson: Most players not comfortable with NHL restart plan Most players not comfortable with NHL restart plan
i'mjustafan
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: United States, PA
Joined: 05.15.2007

Jun 30 @ 12:41 PM ET
I just dont get it. Its def about $. Why would vegas and toronto be the sites? vegas? Where the mayor never required masks? where people fly in/out everyday? where a bunch of millionaires with no family around for months are going to be with so many distractions readily available? but vancouver actually held an olympics and was never considered a hot spot is out.

as an side, the draft results are classic and totally deserved.

abcpens10
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 02.21.2018

Jun 30 @ 1:01 PM ET
Other sports leagues around the world have started and have had almost no cases of players testing positive. If the players stay in the bubble they have basically no chance of getting it. However, if they want to go out and do what they want then of course people will test positive.

The owners could say we aren't playing, but the cap is going down, we are rolling back salaries 30% and see how many players complain. It is strictly financial, but it impacts both the players and owners based on the 50-50 revenue split.

I'm so sick of the players complaining about being away form the families, you have been home with them non-stop for almost 4 months, 16 of the teams will be done with the playoffs in 30ish days, with the remaining 8 being longer than that. Either play or don't, but quit complaining and if your salaries drop significantly because you don't want to play then don't complain about that.

MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Jun 30 @ 1:18 PM ET
Few of us have been saying from the get go a lot of things would have to go right/not go wrong for this to start up at all again. When I look to our neighbors to the south its not looking very good. Up here in my neck of the woods we're almost completely opened back up. No active cases in like 3 weeks, country on a whole is doing great, but when the travel totally opens again I expect sh!t to hit the fan.

This 75% of players stat....how many were asked about this? From what teams? Could one player, who's sour grapes about returning, be the one who said 75%?

There's like 27 players in Pittsburgh right now looking eager for some hockey and ready to rock....
BRUINS11
Joined: 05.08.2012

Jun 30 @ 1:50 PM ET
How many of these players were on the Canadiens or some other team that doesn't really have a realistic chance of winning? If you polled players from the top teams who have a legitimate chance, I'm sure the numbers look quite different. Players know if the team they are on are in a position to get to and hopefully win the cup. After all the chance to win it all doesn't come every year with things like the salary cap restrictions, free agency and injuries possibly throwing a monkey wrench into those plans every year. So to be able to start the playoffs with a mostly healthy team, I'm sure the top contenders are chomping at the bit, while the "also rans" are going to be far less enthusiastic. If Engels wants to breakdown where these "source players" fall on that spectrum I'm sure it would be very revealing. Plus the guy is a Habs reporter, so I'm sure most people in Montreal are more excited about the chance for the 1st overall pick (who happens to be French Canadian by the way) is of far more interest to them than trying for a Stanley Cup that is virtually impossible for them to win.
pens4life-66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: BC
Joined: 10.01.2013

Jun 30 @ 2:09 PM ET
Seems like its also players being greedy. From talking to the only 3 players I know in the league they pretty much all said the same thing but the 2 that are in the playoffs said they are 100% gonna play because of money, a cup and the one said "f*ck im playing because im f*cking board of spanking my meat and playing video games all day."
One player pretty much said the "culture" excuse thing going around is complete bs and if they are that scared of opting out then that says more about there personal values and them as a person then anything.
The one said "if we think its to dangerous to play now who in there right mind thinks its gonna be safe to play in october, november and december when we have been told by doctors it could be the 2nd wave along with flu season to complicate things!? Give me a f*ucking break with this sh*it that we are scared to opt out. Not 1 of 700 players is willing to opt out because they are scared of the culture? thats laughable"
OfManNotMachine
New Jersey Devils
Location: PA
Joined: 05.29.2020

Jun 30 @ 2:34 PM ET
masks? Really? Cause wide spread rioting/looting/protesting isnt a reason at all for the rise in cases right?

Come on man.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jun 30 @ 2:44 PM ET
Imagine the NHL blog-osphere going bananas if the Pens somehow lost to Montreal and ended up with pick #1.
Certainly dont want to lose the Playoffs but what a consolation that would be.
Truthfully, as Long as NYR, NYI, and NJ dont get it, its all good.
Cant Stand Philly or Washington, but they cant win. So as long as he can avoid the NY markets, I'll call it a win

- Amanion

I don't want the Pens to lose either, but even picking 15th would be a great consolation prize. We weren't expected to have a 1st or 2nd this year and certainly not that high.
Coburns_Nose
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Coburn's face
Joined: 11.16.2012

Jun 30 @ 2:52 PM ET
masks? Really? Cause wide spread rioting/looting/protesting isnt a reason at all for the rise in cases right?

Come on man.

- OfManNotMachine



its logical to assume those mass gatherings are contributing to the spread

that being said, I'm seeing more masks there than I am at bars, restaurants, beaches and political rallies
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Jun 30 @ 3:06 PM ET
Seems like its also players being greedy. From talking to the only 3 players I know in the league they pretty much all said the same thing but the 2 that are in the playoffs said they are 100% gonna play because of money, a cup and the one said "f*ck im playing because im f*cking board of spanking my meat and playing video games all day."
One player pretty much said the "culture" excuse thing going around is complete bs and if they are that scared of opting out then that says more about there personal values and them as a person then anything.
The one said "if we think its to dangerous to play now who in there right mind thinks its gonna be safe to play in october, november and december when we have been told by doctors it could be the 2nd wave along with flu season to complicate things!? Give me a f*ucking break with this sh*it that we are scared to opt out. Not 1 of 700 players is willing to opt out because they are scared of the culture? thats laughable"

- pens4life-66


But Ryan Wilson, champion of the people, said so.
ChrisMaze
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Punxsutawney, PA
Joined: 09.19.2014

Jun 30 @ 3:06 PM ET
Well of course there's going to be an increase in cases when you increase testing. A large number of people could NOT get tested before unless you were in severe respiratory distress or had a fever that could not be controlled. So an untold number of thousands if not millions had the virus before or were exposed and their immune system fought it off. That is why the death rate was so high - the only people being tested were the most likely succumb to the disease. You will see a large increase of the total number of cases as testing increases. But a large increase in ACTIVE cases will likely only be seen in urban areas due to the ongoing "protests."
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Jun 30 @ 3:32 PM ET
Well of course there's going to be an increase in cases when you increase testing. A large number of people could NOT get tested before unless you were in severe respiratory distress or had a fever that could not be controlled. So an untold number of thousands if not millions had the virus before or were exposed and their immune system fought it off. That is why the death rate was so high - the only people being tested were the most likely succumb to the disease. You will see a large increase of the total number of cases as testing increases. But a large increase in ACTIVE cases will likely only be seen in urban areas due to the ongoing "protests."
- ChrisMaze


My wife, my friend's wife, and one of my daughter's friends almost certainly had it back in February. They probably passed it around to their family members as well, but we didn't know what it was and there was no testing. So yeah, multiply the number of actual cases by 10 (to be conservative) if you want an actual mortality rate.
Hardbalz
Joined: 06.08.2011

Jun 30 @ 3:35 PM ET
I would like to know the leagues contingency plans if this fails. Thanks for coming out boys but this is out of control so you best be on the first flight home? And yes we've just lost few hundred million more attempting this escapade so escrow is really going to sting. Lol. Oh my to have a millionaires problems
Nighthawk
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Canuckville, BC
Joined: 01.09.2015

Jun 30 @ 3:58 PM ET
Tavares 14.99m due tomorrow. He’s hurtin bad
SuperHenderson13
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined: 10.13.2008

Jun 30 @ 5:23 PM ET
Vegas is absolutely puzzling. Things are not great there. There was just a worker on CNBC and he said at the casinos, 95% of the people there originally werent wearing a mask. Things are going to get worse there before they get better.

Canada isnt full of idiots so it seems like they have fought the virus better than us Americans have. Pick Toronto and Edmonton, I have been to Toronto, plenty of good hotels right there near the arena. Rent out the hotel and have a bus or something that can travel to and from the arena to keep the players safe.

It's a bad situation with no good option. A lot of players cannot afford to miss the final paycheck, the players who dont have a 10+ year career need to get every paycheck they can. I think the league as a whole needs to play more so than the NBA or NFL.

Two things:
1. Make playing conditional on the players going to the Olympics in 2022. That will get the stars interested even more.
2. Make sure NBC recognizes this plan when it comes to getting a new TV Deal next year.

I get the whole family thing, but lets be honest, how much during the playoffs are teams with their families for an extended period of time. Seems crazy to derail the league over sucking it up for a month or two.

The biggest question I havent seen answered is what happens when a team is in the middle of the Eastern Conference finals and half of a team tests positive? Is the season cancelled? Do they wait for a few weeks? Make the team send those guys home and bring in other players? That is the big question. If that gets the season cancelled, then just cancel it now. If you are going to play, it should be to crown a winner.
Mph6689
Joined: 12.19.2016

Jun 30 @ 5:31 PM ET
Valid point.

Not sure what to think any longer.
Hockey66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 07.05.2019

Jun 30 @ 6:01 PM ET
Totally agree with this blog. All of this talk about the "bubble" as if it's easily achievable. Well, all it takes is for one or more players (or really ANY of the support staff) to breach the bubble, and you're screwed (just ask the Orlando Pride of the NWSL). Worse still is that you won't know you're screwed until several days later when it has had a good chance to spread everywhere.

Imagine the impact on the league if scores of players contract this. They will also be on all of the good teams, so a lot of stars who might have their careers ended prematurely. I think it's absolute idiocy. And having it anywhere in the U.S. is the height of stupidity.
Izzo
Tampa Bay Lightning
Location: Tampa, FL
Joined: 12.20.2018

Jun 30 @ 6:03 PM ET
This 75% of players stat....how many were asked about this? From what teams? Could one player, who's sour grapes about returning, be the one who said 75%?


It's there in the article, one player was asked and one player's estimate based on his opinion resulted in 75% of all NHL players being against it. It's really sound reasoning.

About as solid reasoning for blaming it all on money. But then again if the league makes a decision around money that = bad, if a player robs his teams future in return for a big contract (basing decision around money), that = ok.
powerhouse
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Columbia , MD
Joined: 11.28.2006

Jun 30 @ 6:08 PM ET
Assuming players are staying in hotels that would be the likliest place where they could be exposed. It would take a significant logisitical effort of masks and gloves for all who come in contact with team members. It could be done but requires a lot of organization and discipline by all involved. Are there risks, of course.

Who among us has not worked and remained at home at all times? No one. We all take risks now with this virus but keeping things in small groups and minimizing exposure and making sure everyone needs to follow the rules and work together to ensure minimizing contact and exposure is key.
Hockey66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 07.05.2019

Jun 30 @ 6:10 PM ET
I don't want the Pens to lose either, but even picking 15th would be a great consolation prize. We weren't expected to have a 1st or 2nd this year and certainly not that high.
- Tojo.

It was a question the other day about whether you would rather have a shot at #1 or a shot at the Cup. The results were overwhelmingly that fans would rather have a shot at the Cup, no matter how slim.

HOWEVER, if they are holding this thing in Vegas, I want the Pens to get bounced as early as possible. I'd like to see Crosby, Malkin and Letang (among others) play out their careers unaffected by this. Unfortunately, if Price doesn't play (don't blame him at all), I give the Habs an almost zero chance of winning.

Victoro311
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: San Diego, CA
Joined: 06.17.2014

Jun 30 @ 6:38 PM ET
The speculations will continue until the league continues or it is finally canceled.
Tojo.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Joined: 11.11.2014

Jun 30 @ 7:08 PM ET
It was a question the other day about whether you would rather have a shot at #1 or a shot at the Cup. The results were overwhelmingly that fans would rather have a shot at the Cup, no matter how slim.

HOWEVER, if they are holding this thing in Vegas, I want the Pens to get bounced as early as possible. I'd like to see Crosby, Malkin and Letang (among others) play out their careers unaffected by this. Unfortunately, if Price doesn't play (don't blame him at all), I give the Habs an almost zero chance of winning.

- Hockey66

You never know if this is their last good shot though. Maybe next year with the condensed schedule they have a key injury to somebody like Crosby or Malkin like they would have had with Jake. Or they trade Murray and Jarry ends up being terrible long-term. So you have to root for them to win first.

My point being, even without the chance of winning 1st overall, getting the 15th pick this year instead of a likely later 1st next year is a nice consolation prize if they lose in first round. But I wouldn't take their shot this year over it.
MattStrat
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF
Joined: 12.12.2014

Jun 30 @ 7:56 PM ET
My wife, my friend's wife, and one of my daughter's friends almost certainly had it back in February. They probably passed it around to their family members as well, but we didn't know what it was and there was no testing. So yeah, multiply the number of actual cases by 10 (to be conservative) if you want an actual mortality rate.
- jmatchett383


Early March my family circle all had very bad fevers with different symptoms. Then friends we'd been around and the other kids' families in daycare with my little guy as well. In some cases one parent really sick, the other one not at all. My bro was almost hospitalized with what they thought was pneumonia. Doc put him on antibiotics and they didn't do anything. He actually became worse on them.

I remember reading about an unknown unidentified respitory disease is China in early November but when you google first case of covid everything says December 31st. I think it was around much earlier than December 31st and now knowing just how crazy f'n contagious it is plus the fact alot of people carry it with no symptoms, it's not far fetched to me at all that our families already had it in February or March.
Hockey66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 07.05.2019

Jun 30 @ 7:59 PM ET
You never know if this is their last good shot though. Maybe next year with the condensed schedule they have a key injury to somebody like Crosby or Malkin like they would have had with Jake. Or they trade Murray and Jarry ends up being terrible long-term. So you have to root for them to win first.

My point being, even without the chance of winning 1st overall, getting the 15th pick this year instead of a likely later 1st next year is a nice consolation prize if they lose in first round. But I wouldn't take their shot this year over it.

- Tojo.

Good points. But my main point is, my risk tolerance for playing in Vegas during a pandemic is very low. You talk about a major injury to a star next season, but imagine if a handful of important players are never the same players again, even if they are able to continue their careers. Not worth it, IMO. I'll take my chances in subsequent years with a non-infected roster.
Hockey66
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 07.05.2019

Jun 30 @ 8:01 PM ET
Early March my family circle all had very bad fevers with different symptoms. Then friends we'd been around and the other kids' families in daycare with my little guy as well. In some cases one parent really sick, the other one not at all. My bro was almost hospitalized with what they thought was pneumonia. Doc put him on antibiotics and they didn't do anything. He actually became worse on them.

I remember reading about an unknown unidentified respitory disease is China in early November but when you google first case of covid everything says December 31st. I think it was around much earlier than December 31st and now knowing just how crazy f'n contagious it is plus the fact alot of people carry it with no symptoms, it's not far fetched to me at all that our families already had it in February or March.

- MattStrat

You can get tested to know this for sure.
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