NHL's 24-team Return to Play proposal
- Thread starter Kin
- Start date
Kin
New member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I agree, it makes very little sense to be doing it in the US right now. In Canada, where we're getting a couple hundred cases a day(and dropping) I think it changes things a little.
That said, I broadly agree that putting anyone's health at risk for a "playoffs" that nobody will take seriously is pretty irresponsible.
herman
Well-known member
Now I'm firmly in the FTS* camp
But let's lay out the thought experiment: NHL Playoff Enclave(s)
Step 1. Pick a location with the requisite infrastructure for multiple games (NHL surfaces, workout/treatment space, room and board for staff/players/limited media/support staff) that also has infrastructure for pop-up amenities (e.g. NBA picking COVID-hotspot Orlando's Disneyland)
Step 2. Establish protocols for bubbling off this space and all within from outside society; airlock quarantine all entrants 14-20 days, near-daily testing, emergency lockdown procedures, masks all around, etc.
Step 3. Play the tournament and as teams get knocked out, remaining teams have their families (optionally) added to the bubble (through the 14-day decontamination airlock process) to fill out the stands (along with amenities staff)
Step 4. Yay a Cup
Participants of this enclave would technically be safer than the outside world, which is at the mercy of inept governance and b-holes who feel masks are an infringement to their personal freedoms. Now, I know it reeks of rich folk hiding from a global crisis and forcing poor(er) folk to work at their beck and call... but that's really the only way something like this plays out.
As for why I think it won't work? People are liars. People cut corners. This is thousands of people hanging out in one little campus for 3 months, some of them are noted dumb-dumbs, and people get way dumber when bored together.
* this
But let's lay out the thought experiment: NHL Playoff Enclave(s)
Step 1. Pick a location with the requisite infrastructure for multiple games (NHL surfaces, workout/treatment space, room and board for staff/players/limited media/support staff) that also has infrastructure for pop-up amenities (e.g. NBA picking COVID-hotspot Orlando's Disneyland)
Step 2. Establish protocols for bubbling off this space and all within from outside society; airlock quarantine all entrants 14-20 days, near-daily testing, emergency lockdown procedures, masks all around, etc.
Step 3. Play the tournament and as teams get knocked out, remaining teams have their families (optionally) added to the bubble (through the 14-day decontamination airlock process) to fill out the stands (along with amenities staff)
Step 4. Yay a Cup
Participants of this enclave would technically be safer than the outside world, which is at the mercy of inept governance and b-holes who feel masks are an infringement to their personal freedoms. Now, I know it reeks of rich folk hiding from a global crisis and forcing poor(er) folk to work at their beck and call... but that's really the only way something like this plays out.
As for why I think it won't work? People are liars. People cut corners. This is thousands of people hanging out in one little campus for 3 months, some of them are noted dumb-dumbs, and people get way dumber when bored together.
* this
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1275835201013325827
Friedman says that up until recently it seemed like Vancouver and Vegas were near locks to be picked but that something might be holding up Vancouver being picked. The speculation is that it's due to bubble/quarantine issues that still need to be worked out.
He also says that despite the growing numbers in the Vegas area there's confidence that they'll be able to create a safe bubble there.
Friedman says that up until recently it seemed like Vancouver and Vegas were near locks to be picked but that something might be holding up Vancouver being picked. The speculation is that it's due to bubble/quarantine issues that still need to be worked out.
He also says that despite the growing numbers in the Vegas area there's confidence that they'll be able to create a safe bubble there.
Arn
Active member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
So I've been watching some of the English Premier League (and also German Bundesliga and a couple of Spanish games).
My initial impressions are that I think they should have just scratched this season and waited for next when fans can come back and start from scratch.
The intensity of the games is down for definite. That's understandable - players hadn't played in 3 months, a lot of them aren't "match" fit. Also there's no supporters. There's no atmosphere. There is a definite lack of an edge to the games that comes from fans, be it someone making a full blooded challenge and the reaction that helps with momentum etc.
Now, consciously I think the players are being fully professional and trying as hard as they can. I think subconsciously they're not getting that extra couple of per cent that being fully fit and having a proper home crowd behind you.
On top of that the injury lists are piling up - Arsenal have almost an entire full first team injured after the first 2 games. They had 2 players off injured in the first 20 minutes of the first game back.
I can see the same issues, if not more, in hockey.
Kin
New member
https://twitter.com/richardzussman/status/1276175086051975168
If the implication here in the thread, which is worth reading, is that Vancouver is out and Toronto is a possibility because BC is insisting on stricter precautions in the event of a positive test, I really hope Ontario tells the NHL to pound sand and adopts all of the precautions BC is taking.
If the implication here in the thread, which is worth reading, is that Vancouver is out and Toronto is a possibility because BC is insisting on stricter precautions in the event of a positive test, I really hope Ontario tells the NHL to pound sand and adopts all of the precautions BC is taking.
Damn, I was afraid of that. Crazy that during a pandemic where the NHL claims they're doing everything possible to keep the players safe they pass on a preferred site because... it's too safe.
I don't really expect Ontario to take the same stance. We'll see I guess.
I don't really expect Ontario to take the same stance. We'll see I guess.
I think some would say well there's no need to quarantine if you're constantly doing testing but iirc you can be infected and present as PCR negative in the early going. If everyone just shut the hell up and quarantined asap they could get this part over with.Nik said:
The NHL: How do we have our cake and eat it too?
Phileas Fogg
New member
CarltonTheBear said:
Vancouver: During the playoffs if anyone on any team tests positive the team has to quarantine for 14 days, along with the opponent in the series.
League: How about we give them all echinacea and get them back on the ice
Vegas/LA/Chicago: sounds good
Vancouver: seeya
Toronto/Edmonton:?
So a 6% positive rate while players are still only skating informally in small groups. That doesn't sound great.
bustaheims
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
Seriously. Sports should just be cancelled this year. It sucks, but it's the safest choice.
Phileas Fogg
New member
bustaheims said:
There seems to be some concern of late that even asymptomatic carriers can end up with long term lung and organ damage. I'm really surprised the NHLPA hasn't put the brakes on.
https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/1278299086651822083
Looks like the NHL is heading toward the 2nd more seasonable option and selecting Toronto and Edmonton as the hub cities.
Looks like the NHL is heading toward the 2nd more seasonable option and selecting Toronto and Edmonton as the hub cities.