The National Hockey League and its Players' Association released a joint statement on Wednesday night, saying that despite numerous speculations of how the 2019-20 season will be restarted from the coronavirus stoppage, they have not made any decisions or set a timeline for any scenarios.
The @NHL and @NHLPA Issue Status Update on Pause in 2019-20 Season. https://t.co/tX9XYQR71u pic.twitter.com/C4hxIj1y5m
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 29, 2020
The league is currently still enforcing its self-quarantine period through the end of the month of April, but it is expected that the league will extend that period at least through mid-May.
However, the NHL and the NHLPA did say in their statement that after their Return to Play Committee met on Wednesday, they are exploring a Phase 2 of their transition period that would allow players the chance to return to "small group activities" at team facilities.
"Provided that conditions continue to trend favorably – and, subject to potential competitive concerns as between disparately situated markets – we believe we may be able to move to Phase 2 at some point in the mid-to-later portion of May," the league and the Players' Association said in their statement. "Specific guidelines governing Player and Hockey Staff activity would be provided at that time. In the meantime, we expect Players and Hockey Staff to continue to adhere to the recommended guidelines put in place when the season was paused on March 12."
The statement also said that their Return to Play Committee will continue to meet regularly.
