The NHL Is Planning a Return for Playoffs in Summer & Fall Amid Pandemic

The National Hockey League is plotting its return.

Gary Bettman, the NHL’s Commissioner, addressed the return of the sports organization on Tuesday (May 26).

According to the official, teams might return to play in the summer and fall, with a plan to have post-season playoffs and the Stanley Cup in two “hub cities” to be announced.

“Let me assure you that the reason we are doing this is because our fans are telling us in overwhelming numbers that they want us to complete the season. While nothing is without risk, ensuring health and safety has been essential to our plan so far, and will remain so,” he said in a statement.

With the current plan, the NHL would consider regular season play completed, and would have “24 of 31 teams try to start training camps no earlier than July 1.”

If that went well, teams would compete in two different cities, where they would have “secure transportation and lodging, as well as a venue for play.”

This will depend on “conditions of players as well as policies set by various local authorities,” according to Variety‘s report.

Here’s what other major events and organizations were postponed amid the pandemic.