National Hockey League discussing ways to resume the season

By: Ryan Kelsey

On March 12, the National Hockey League decided to put a halt on the season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman are discussing possible ways to resume the season sooner rather than later.

The NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman are looking at multiple ways to resume the season with one of the most recent ideas being having four NHL arenas host three games each per day. Although this could be a way to start up the season once again, this scenario being discussed would still not allow fans to attend the games. 

On the other hand, the idea that has been ruled out is playing in non-NHL arenas like college ice rinks. This idea is being eliminated because Commissioner Bettman feels that the NHL arenas are best equipped to handle the essential needs required to resume the season.

Commissioner Bettman stated, “We can’t play in a small college rink in the middle of a smaller community, because if we’re going to be centralized, we need the back of the house that NHL arenas provide, whether it’s multiple locker rooms, whether it’s the technology, the procedures, the boards and glass, the video replay, the broadcasting facilities…”

Despite the fact that having four NHL arenas host three games per day is an idea that is being strongly considered, this idea still comes with concerns. One of the biggest concerns that Commissioner Bettman noted was the fact that there needs to be strict safety measures and precautions such as ways to move teams in and out of the arenas. 

Although Commissioner Bettman is focused on resuming the season, the locations of the arenas has not been decided yet. Likewise, Commissioner Bettman made it known that even though the goal is to resume the season at some point, there is no rush in doing so.

Rather in fact, the final decision is ultimately up to medical and government authorities as Bettman states “We’re not going to do anything that’s crazy. We’re going to try and do something, under the circumstances at the time, that is sensible.”

For now, fans and players alike must remain positive, and hopeful that the season resumes by summer time.