NHL and NHLPA agree on protocols to restart season (part 1)

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) agreed on protocols to restart the season, a key step toward the resumption of hockey this summer.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told The AP that there was an agreement between the NHL and NHLPA on protocols for training camps and games and the two sides are still negotiating an extension of the bargaining agreement, which is crucial to the process.

A person knowing of the situation said that the return-to-play protocols would only go into effect if each side agrees to vote to approve the full package of the CBA extension as well as the return-to-play agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity since CBA talks are still ongoing.

In order to complete a return, two-thirds of the NHL’s board of governors and majorities of the NHLPA’s executive committee and full membership must vote in favor.

In case that everything is ratified, it will end a pandemic-forced postponement that started in mid-March. Games may resume in late July or early August with 24 teams participating in an expanded playoffs, finishing with the Stanley Cup awarded in October.

The agreement was first reported by TSN.

The 47-pages protocols outline the safety and health measures the NHL and NHLPA agreed to after negotiations for several weeks. Each player has until 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday to notify his team if he is choosing to opt-out of taking part in training camp and games, with a deadline expected after the ratification of the agreement.

For those who are playing, each team is limited to only 30 skaters and an unlimited amount of goaltenders for camp as well as total roster of 31 players for games. Each team is limited to 52 personnel in its game city, including a doctor, two trainers, and a compliance officer in addition to coaches, players, and management.

They are also expected to be quarantined from the general public during playing at least for the qualifying and the first two traditional playoff rounds. Family members will be allowed to join as play is moved to one city for the Stanley Cup Final and conference finals.

All team, league employees, hotel, restaurant, and arena staff coming in contact with players will be daily tested in the two ”hub” cities.

One player’s positive Covid-19 test result is not expected to entirely shut down play. The NHL has said they would isolate any player or staff member testing positive, acknowledging an outbreak would threaten the rest of the season.