NHL & COVID-19: Testing to Happen Daily After Game Resumes

With suggestions coming from players, and on its own discretion, the league has floated around the “daily COVID-19 testing” under its safety protocols. Whenever the NHL resumes, these safety protocols will be strictly implemented. Players have also recommended returning to the ice with proper preparations for COVID-19 — and it will be similar for everyone participating through any funnel of the play including players, athletes, and other staff members.

What the Owners have to Say?

The owners had clarified on a number of occasions that testing is not going to be a real problem, as the league is already working out for the best ways to get testings done properly and safety measures floated around with utmost sincerity and precision.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said, “We will have a rigorous daily testing protocol where players are tested every evening and those results are obtained before they would leave their hotel rooms the next morning, so, we’ll know if we have a positive test and whether the player has to self-quarantine himself as a result of that positive test. It’s expensive, but we think it’s really foundational element of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Total Cost of Testing Throughout the Season.

The owners also talked about the total cost of these testings to be done throughout the play. It will cost millions of dollars to get the testing protocols at the place. Each testing costs around $125, and around 25,000-35,000 tests need to be conducted through the payoffs.

Last week the league announced its return-to-play with two hub cities hosting the game with 24 teams in a unique playoff format. The names of the cities are yet not finalized, but a list of top 10 cities are being considered to take the final decision. From each of the conferences, four teams will be playing, according to the game format, and they will play for seeding. While others from the club will be competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the final spots in the “play-in” rounds.

Training camps start.

Although the NHL has its safety protocols almost ready, the training camps would start only on or after 10th July. It is being assumed that if the training camps begin on the 10th of July, the games would be played as early as August. At least a month, before the game starts, would be required by players to get back in shape and do other related preparations for the game. Most teams have supported a 24-team playoff format idea, but Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning were not in favor of the format, quoting it as “unfair.” But that was their opinion — now that almost everything is set — they are also looking pretty excited returning to the ice soon.