We have not had hockey in a full month. Back on March 12th, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended the NHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday he spoke to CNN’s Anderson Cooper in reference to the suspended 2019-2020 season and the possibility of getting hockey back.
“We’re exploring and want to be prepared for every option whenever the circumstances present themselves,” Bettman said. “So we haven’t ruled anything in, we haven’t ruled anything out, and we’ll be prepared to go in whatever direction makes sense at the time.”
Bettman is in a tough spot as are all-league commissioners. The resumption of the season is completely out of his control. In fact, the NHL has extended the self-quarantine until April 30th.
“When we’ll have an opportunity to return depends on things that we have absolutely no control over. It all starts with everybody’s health and well-being. Until there’s a sense that people can get together, not just to fill our arenas but even our players to get together to work out, we don’t know when we can come back. But it’s something we’re monitoring on a daily basis.”
There is the idea of the NHL resuming games in empty neutral site arenas. This is similar to what Major League Baseball has explored. However, Bettman was non-committal, simply saying that they are looking at all their options. To include this report from Pierre LeBrun:
Bettman did say that sports leaders had a call with President Trump on April 6th. hey discussed the idea of getting sports back was important for helping people heal:
“It’s something that, for the psyche of the American and, in my case, the Canadian public is very important,” he stated. “Sports can be part of bringing people together, can be part of healing. But we all agreed that until it’s the right time, there are other more pressing issues than when we come back. There are other more pressing issues than when we come back, and again, everything starts with people’s health and well-being.”
NHL to Houston is Trending
If you checked Twitter you would see #NHLtoHouston. What is important is that this is trending above all the political debates! This leads me to believe that although this education, the pandemic, and politics are important, hockey is more important. (Kidding, but it’s fun to see some buzz)
Of course, this has the debate of where should the next NHL franchise be located. But better yet, of the three cities, who had the best logo?
Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
