The NHL announced this morning that nine more players have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 35 confirmed cases since testing started on June 8. Frequent testing for the virus has been a large part of the NHL’s plan to safely restart the season.
NHL statement on COVID-19 testing results: pic.twitter.com/NDWmOwnvnf
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 6, 2020
Edmonton and Toronto have also been announced as the two hub cities that will be used for the remainder of the season. The NHL is still finalizing it’s plans for phase four of the NHL restart however, formal training camps and phase three will begin on July 10. Players are being given the opportunity to opt out of the season, with no consequences, if they do not want to participate for health concerns.
It’s my understanding that even with the timing of this opt-out window, the targeted date of July 13 is still in play...at this time anyway.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 6, 2020The Minnesota Wild started their Phase two voluntary training at Tria Rink in St. Paul last week. The Wild were announced to be one of 24 NHL teams competing in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Players present at Tria Rink included Zach Parise and Ryan Donato.
Let's go get it.#mnwild pic.twitter.com/052HLXLjZV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 2, 2020So far no Wild players have announced their plans to sit out for the playoffs, but the team announced that top prospect Kirill Kaprizov would not be eligible to participate in the playoffs if the Wild were able to sign him during the pause in play. With his contract situation having been up in the air for the past few seasons, many are worried he may resign with his current team in the KHL instead of making the jump to the NHL.
While the pandemic has made headlines during the pause in play the NHL has also been having talks about racism following the public death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Former Wild winger J.T. Brown and current Wild defensemen Matt Dumba have been sharing their own experiences with racism in hockey.
This as well as statements released from other players has led to the formation of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. It was announced that San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Aliu will be the coheads of the HDA and Dumba was named as one of several players on the executive committee for the HDA.
We are proud to announce the formation of the Hockey Diversity Alliance -- ✊-- pic.twitter.com/MLkm1Lqx7U
— Matt Dumba (@matt_dumba) June 8, 2020Much has been going on around the league as the restart gets closer. The Wild are set to play the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of this year's Stanley Cup playoffs when the league restarts later this summer.
