Following in the steps of the NBA, the NHL has decided to pause their 2019-2020 season amid coronavirus concerns.
“In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019‑20 season beginning with tonight’s games,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettmen said in a statement issued Thursday.
The move comes as no surprise as a flurry of cancelations and postponements have hit pretty much every major and minor sports leagues in the course of the past 24 hours. As early as yesterday afternoon, the NHL had been noncommittal about not only postponing games, but allowing fans into stadiums to watch games. The Washington Capitals, for example, had, at first decided to allow fans into the building for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, despite D.C. declaring a state of emergency and advising against large gatherings.
The decision to cancel the season was made during a Board of Governors call and after consulting with the NHLPA.
The Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert testing positive for coronavirus, or COVID-19, has helped nudge the NHL in the same direction as the NBA, to postpone all games for the time being.
“Following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus – and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point – it is no longer appropriate to try to continue to play games at this time,” Bettmen said.
It’s not clear how long the season will be postponed, but ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski reports it could last around 2-3 weeks.
Source on NHL players’ side thinks “best case” would be a 2-3 week suspension, a short continuation of a sub-82-game reg. season and then a truncated playoffs with shorter opening series. But playing into July is an option. Again, one person's informed speculation.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 12, 2020
Teams have also been told no travel will be allowed and meetings and practices have been canceled.
More details on the NHL suspending play. No travel allowed. No meeting. No paractices. However, it’s a rapidly changing environment. For now it’s go home, go home and stay home until further notice.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 12, 2020
Sports coming to a grinding halt right before playoffs isn’t what any fan expected, but for the most part, people seem to be taking the news in stride with larger world events.
Me after seeing that the NHL season is suspended pic.twitter.com/9B9KErp8tP
— Because It's The Cup (@CauseItsTheCup) March 12, 2020
Mood until the NHL resumes pic.twitter.com/ClypMxuyXv
— Adam (@OilersAdam) March 12, 2020
Live look at the #NHL community now that the season is on hold pic.twitter.com/5yOFSEJiR9
— WabbaPlays (@WabbaPlays) March 12, 2020
But seriously though what is everyone going to do?? No sports on TV?!?!?! I guess Netflix??? pic.twitter.com/nuUveSykCW
— stubs (@adamthestub) March 12, 2020
Flyers have been the best they've been in a decade and the NHL season is about to be postponed pic.twitter.com/gYN7CGr7Fo
— Stephanie R (@BroadStGhoulie) March 12, 2020
me when the nhl, the only thing left that brings me joy, inevitably suspends their season because of coronavirus
— julia (@zibanejams) March 12, 2020
Breaking News:
The 2019-2020 NHL season has been suspended. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/iHsU5FVHFj— Stars Nation (@StarsNationDAL) March 12, 2020
Me being told the NHL season is suspended pic.twitter.com/3WkWdCVh8S
— Lil Yuuuzi Vert (@TheNewYuuuze) March 12, 2020
It’s tough out there guys, but we’ll get through it. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. Help others.
[lawrence-related id=901694,901661,901597]