The NHL sent out a memo with encouraging news to its players and teams on Wednesday.
The memo advised its players who are currently living outside of their NHL team's city to "consider whether to plan to return to their Club cities," and that if the coronavirus situation continues to "trend favorably," the league could potentially reopen its facilities in the "mid-to-later portion of May."
The NHL and NHLPA released a joint statement on Wednesday evening with the current state of discussions:
"Despite numerous reports and speculation over the last several days, the NHL and the NHLPA have not made any decisions or set a timeline for possible return to play scenarios.
"Given recent developments in some NHL Clubs’ local communities, we are now looking ahead to a Phase 2 of the transition period that would follow the currently recommended Phase 1 period of “self-quarantine” by Players and Hockey Staff.
"The precise date of transition to Phase 2, during which Players might return to small group activities in NHL Club training facilities, remains undetermined. However, provided that conditions continue to trend favorably – and, subject to potential competitive concerns as between disparately situated markets – we believe we may be able to move to Phase 2 at some point in the mid-to-later portion of May. Specific guidelines governing Player and Hockey Staff activity would be provided at that time. In the meantime, we expect Players and Hockey Staff to continue to adhere to the recommended guidelines put in place when the season was paused on March 12.
"The Return to Play Committee will continue to meet regularly."
The NHL would be following in the path of the NBA, which is expected to reopen its facilities for voluntary individual workouts as early as May 8.
The NBA created some guidelines for the workouts, aiming to create a safer environment for players and staff. No more than four players will be permitted in the building at one time, and only one team staff member can be at the facility. Players must wear face masks in the facility except when participating in physical activity and stay at least 12 feet away from each other. Players must also complete a resting ECG and troponin test before working out in the facility, which is standard for each player to complete before the start of every new NBA season.
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