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Cities and venues across North America have started pitching themselves as potential hosts for neutral-site NHL playoff games, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan on Friday.
"We do have people putting together the comprehensive laundry list of what we would need from facilities and evaluating some facilities on some level," Daly said. "But I can't tell you we've even finished creating a list (of potential sites), much less narrowed it down."
Locations that have been reported so far include Grand Forks, North Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
It's unclear what a potential return of hockey would look like for 2019-20. Among the options being discussed are playing out the regular season, jumping into the playoffs immediately, or even modifying the playoff format to include more teams or make series shorter.
"I've always had the caveat that everything is on the table and nothing is out of the question," Daly said. "I would say there would be a strong opposition to ever creating a playoff where it was a single elimination. I think best-of-three is more possible, not preferred, but more possible than a best-of-one scenario."
Daly added that he's aware of several concerns that could arise if the league does resume its season during the coronavirus pandemic.
"My sense of the players is that they're very anxious to return. Obviously, they want to be healthy and safe," Daly said. "If a particular player had a particular concern, we've had similar situations in the past and we as a league have been sensitive and receptive to that situation. Obviously, if it becomes too widespread, then it becomes more problematic in terms of our ability to get back. But that will be handled up front."
While a return to the ice is the goal, Daly also indicated that the top priority for the league is "what is safe and is going to protect the health and well-being of our players and obviously the general public."
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
Cities and venues across North America have started pitching themselves as potential hosts for neutral-site NHL playoff games, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan on Friday.
"We do have people putting together the comprehensive laundry list of what we would need from facilities and evaluating some facilities on some level," Daly said. "But I can't tell you we've even finished creating a list (of potential sites), much less narrowed it down."
Locations that have been reported so far include Grand Forks, North Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
It's unclear what a potential return of hockey would look like for 2019-20. Among the options being discussed are playing out the regular season, jumping into the playoffs immediately, or even modifying the playoff format to include more teams or make series shorter.
"I've always had the caveat that everything is on the table and nothing is out of the question," Daly said. "I would say there would be a strong opposition to ever creating a playoff where it was a single elimination. I think best-of-three is more possible, not preferred, but more possible than a best-of-one scenario."
Daly added that he's aware of several concerns that could arise if the league does resume its season during the coronavirus pandemic.
"My sense of the players is that they're very anxious to return. Obviously, they want to be healthy and safe," Daly said. "If a particular player had a particular concern, we've had similar situations in the past and we as a league have been sensitive and receptive to that situation. Obviously, if it becomes too widespread, then it becomes more problematic in terms of our ability to get back. But that will be handled up front."
While a return to the ice is the goal, Daly also indicated that the top priority for the league is "what is safe and is going to protect the health and well-being of our players and obviously the general public."
"I don't think there's been too much communication (with Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello), and not because there's anything negative or anything, it's just Lou's getting ready for a playoff run right now, and I'm still worried about this season as well," Barzal said, according to NHL.com's Brian Compton. "I'm not too too worried about it, just because I don't think the season is over yet. I think we're still going to be playing."
Barzal is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason. Lamoriello said in March that the Islanders are prepared to match any offer sheet given to the dynamic forward.
With the Islanders in the playoff picture, he is still anticipating having a chance to return to the ice this season. However, he does admit the ball is also in Lamoriello's court to get things rolling on working out an extension.
"There's bigger things we've got to worry about right now in terms of heading to the playoffs this year. But at the same time, whenever we're ready to sit down and get it done, I'd love for that to happen," Barzal added. "At the same time, I'm not a person that's just going to rush this thing or get nervous about it or whatever. I'm just going about my day, and it'll happen when it happens."
The 22-year-old, who was taken 16th overall in 2015, is in the final year of his entry-level contract. He's amassed 59 goals and 207 points in 234 games with the Islanders and took home the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2017-18.
The end of every NHL seasonforces some players to ponder whether it's time to retire. With the 2019-20 NHL campaign currently suspended - and potentially finished - this is certainly not the way that the players wrestling with this decision wanted to go out.
Several ageless wonders - including Zdeno Chara, Jason Spezza, Andy Greene, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau - have already made it clear that they intend to play next season, so we can cross them off the list. There are some others, however, whose future remains unclear.
If the season is officially canceled, here are six players who may have played their final game in the NHL.
Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Career numbers (regular season)
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1264
320
477
797
16:53
Williams began 2019-20 on the sidelines while contemplating his future in the league, so if the campaign is ultimately canceled, it's hard to imagine him coming back for a full season.
The 19-year veteran didn't rejoin the Hurricanes until January but showed he still had some game left when he did return. Williams contributed eight goals and 11 points through 20 contests and boasted positive possession numbers at five-on-five. If this is it, "Mr. Game 7" will go out as one of the most clutch performers of his generation, taking three Stanley Cup rings with him.
Ryan Miller, Anaheim Ducks
Joe Hrycych / National Hockey League / Getty
Career numbers
GP
W
L
T/OL
GAA
SV%
SO
780
387
281
86
2.61
.915
44
Goaltenders of Miller's ilk can almost always find work during the tail end of their careers. Though his days as a starter are behind him, if the 39-year-old wishes to continue, he'll likely be able to do so.
Miller's current deal with the Ducks is about to expire, however, and he turns 40 in July. Perhaps he'll seek a one-year deal with a team in need of depth between the pipes? The 6-foot-2 puck-stopper is only two years removed from posting elite numbers as a backup, and his .907 save percentage behind an injured and inexperienced blue line in 2019-20 shows he's got something left in the tank. He could potentially be of great value in that role with a more veteran group in front of him.
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
Timothy Hiatt / WireImage / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1114
103
361
464
18:09
There's no questioning Seabrook's toughness and determination to continue playing, but the soon-to-be 35-year-old underwent three surgical procedures - one on his right shoulder and one on each hip - at the beginning of 2020.
Considering his performance was already declining and the heavy workload he's handled throughout his career, there's cause for concern. The 6-foot-3 rearguard has logged the 16th-most regular-season minutes and fifth-most playoff minutes this decade. Entering 2019-20, Seabrook had only missed 32 contests over 14 seasons.
Seabrook's contract situation is unique on this list, however. With four years remaining on his deal, a buyout would cause headaches down the road for the Blackhawks. Seabrook will likely have a chance to determine his own fate in the coming months. Knowing his never-say-die attitude, he'll probably be back on the ice, but only time will tell.
Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Career numbers
GP
W
L
T/OL
GAA
SV%
SO
648
289
251
69
2.84
.913
42
The Senators' all-time winningest netminder could be at the end of the line. Anderson turns 39 in May, isn't under contract for next season, and his stats have been below average over three straight campaigns.
It doesn't appear as though Marcus Hogberg is ready to command the starting role, however, so Ottawa could bring Anderson back to share the crease with the 25-year-old and serve as a role model amid the team's rebuild. With a platoon system becoming the norm in nets around the league, it's not inconceivable that Anderson could get a one-year deal somewhere else should the Senators move on.
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
Len Redkoles / National Hockey League / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1028
205
504
709
19:11
Koivu, who turned 37 in March, is in the final year of his current deal and has seen significant decreases in both his production and ice time over the last three seasons. It's possible a team could bring him in on a minimum deal to add depth and experience, but it's hard to envision his journey ending outside the city where he's spent his entire 15-year NHL career.
If it's truly the end of the road, the Wild captain will ride into the sunset as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points, and assists, with each of those records far from being threatened.
Jay Bouwmeester, St. Louis Blues
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1240
88
336
424
24:07
Most importantly, it's great to hear Bouwmeester is doing well after he collapsed on the bench during a February game in Anaheim. However, the combination of his medical episode, his age, and his expiring contract could spell the end of the defenseman's career.
There is a silver lining, though: After 16 seasons in the NHL, Bouwmeester reached hockey's summit last June, helping the Blues capture their first-ever Stanley Cup. The 36-year-old rearguard will also be remembered as one of the game's true ironmen. He ranks 25th all time among defensemen in games played, and only Chara has logged more minutes on the blue line since 1998-99.
Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney echoed defenseman Torey Krug's recent comments, saying Friday he hopes the star defenseman doesn't find a new home in free agency this offseason.
"I dearly hope Torey (Krug) hasn't played his last game (with the Bruins) this year or going forward," Sweeney said on a conference call, according to Conor Ryan of the Boston Sports Journal.
Krug made headlines Tuesday after expressing his desire to stick with the Bruins despite his pending unrestricted free agent status, while being candid about the uncertainty of the situation.
"I can't put any assumptions on it, but I can only guess that things are going to look different from a salary-cap perspective next season," Krug said. "Team structures as well are going to be affected by it, but I have no clarity about it. ... It's just the reality of the situation."
Krug added there hasn't been any contract negotiations since the NHL went on hold March 12, but Sweeney said there's previously been productive conversations between the team and Krug's agent.
"We've had very good discussions with Torey's group - we just haven't found a landing spot yet. ... We're hopeful that we'll find a resolution," Sweeney said.
Krug is in the final campaign of a four-year contract that carries a $5.25-million annual cap hit. Since joining the Bruins in 2012, the soon to be 29-year-old has racked up 337 points in 523 games, adding another 46 points in 62 career playoff contests.
Boston College forward Alex Newhook is this year's recipient of the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA Division I Men's Rookie of the Year, the university announced Friday.
Newhook is the first Eagles player to earn the honor since it was initially awarded in 2007.
The 19-year-old Colorado Avalanche prospect led all NCAA freshmen with 19 goals and collected 42 points in 34 games, ending the season on a 12-game point streak.
He ranked ninth in the nation in points per game and became the school's first rookie since Colin White to produce 40 points. White, who now plays for the Ottawa Senators, accomplished the feat in 2016.
Boston College also became the first NCAA program to sweep the national Rookie of the Year awards. Hannah Bilka won the women's honor earlier in April.
A few weeks ago, Newhook reiterated his desire to remain at the school for his sophomore season. He told The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark, "I think for me, the plan has not changed as of now," and added that he considered himself in a position of "not being rushed and not being forced out of a good spot."
The Avalanche drafted Newhook 16th overall in 2019.
Colby Cave's hockey brethren are hoping for the best as the forward remains hospitalized following a brain bleed.
"This is devastating news," Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said Thursday. "Colby is such a strong guy, he's a good Saskatchewan boy, so he's as tough as they come and if anyone is going to get through it, I think it's going to be Colby Cave. I think all the fans out there (and) everyone needs to keep Colby, Emily his wife, and the entire family in their thoughts and prayers and send out good vibes for them because that's all we can do. ... We can just think and pray that he comes out of this and pray that the family can get through it as well. ... I can't imagine how hard it is on them."
McDavid added, "Colby is a guy that's so well-liked in our dressing room and I’m sure he's been so well-liked in any room he's been in, he's such a good guy. ... You just pray that he wakes up and the family is OK."
Cave played his first five pro seasons with the Boston Bruins organization before Edmonton claimed him off waivers in January 2019. Many Bruins players sent cards, gifts, and supplies to Emily and the family, judging by an image she posted to her Instagram story Thursday.
Cave, who has spent the majority of this season with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, is in a medically induced coma. He was admitted to hospital Monday and was later airlifted to Sunnybrook in Toronto. The 25-year-old underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a cyst that was causing pressure on his brain, the Oilers said Thursday.
"If we were playing today, we would've sped up that on-the-ice performance over the last couple of weeks, so he's ready to go," Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said, according to The Associated Press. "And just a matter of time before we put him on the ice and move forward from there. But yes, he'll be ready to play when we drop the puck."
Hamilton fractured his fibula in January and underwent surgery. The 26-year-old was having a career season before the injury, posting 40 points in 47 games to earn a trip to what would have been his first All-Star Game.
The Hurricanes sat in the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 81 points when the league went on pause March 12.
