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“The white zone is for loading and unloading passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.”
At last report last night, the NHL and NHLPA continue to inch to a final MOU on a CBA extension and rules for the Return to Play, including rules on the “secure zone.”
Once the hubs (Edmonton and Toronto) are setup, each team can bring 52 individuals to their hub-city secure zone (including owners, staff, etc.), a maximum of 31 of whom can be players. So sorry, Gary from accounting, but you did not make the cut.
The players in the secure zone bubble will not be able to be visited by their families until the conference finals and Stanley Cup final, if they’re lucky enough to advance that far.
They hope to have details finalized soon. Then votes by the league and PA would take place this week. Presumably, training camps beginning a week from today (July 13) is “believed to still be within the realm of possibility.” Players who wish to opt out — without penalty or disciplines — would have three days after the agreement is voted on to do so.
The NHL-NHLPA negotiations to finalize a CBA extension and Memo of Understanding are not expected to be concluded with a tentative agreement this evening. The process will resume on Monday.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 6, 2020
- The best rundown of all of the in-bubble “secure zone” format for 24 teams in the playoffs/qualifying round (West in Edmonton, East in Toronto) includes how positive tests for COVID-19 will be handled. [TSN | Sportsnet]
- Brian Compton joins Hockey Night in New York to discuss the whole ordeal. [Spreaker]
- Meanwhile, Brock Nelson discussed the qualifying round matchup with the Panthers. [NHL | MSG]
- Debating the all-time All-USA team. [NHL]
- Not hockey, but great read here contextualizing our on-going and neglected societal issue, from a Canadian reporter who’s usually the only Black writer in the pressbox. [Sportsnet]