If the 2019-20 season is able to resume, Arizona Coyotes star Taylor Hall hopes the NHL stages some kind of qualifying event to determine the final playoff teams.
“I think there should definitely be a play-in to the playoffs,” Hall said, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "I know I’m biased in saying that but if there are two to three exhibition games and then a mini-series to see who goes into the playoffs, maybe that’s smart.
When the NHL suspended play on March 12, Hall's Coyotes sat four points back of the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 12 games remaining. If the league went straight to the playoffs and awarded the final seeds based on points percentage, the Coyotes would still miss out.
"Maybe we try and play eight regular-season games and make wins count as three points," Hall said. "I’m not really sure. You can make the games worth more. But you can’t go right into the playoffs. There’s no way, I think that’s obvious.’’
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the league's return would need to fair to bubble teams, which had all played varying amounts of games before the season was put on pause.
Several other players on those clubs, including Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov and netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, said it would be unfair if the league jumped right into the playoffs. New York Rangers superstar Artemi Panarinshared the same sediment.
The Coyotes acquired Hall in December in an attempt to end their seven-year playoff drought, the NHL's second-longest postseason dry spell.
Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss Jon Cooper insists he doesn't give much thought to last spring's embarrassing first-round sweep against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but with the current season suspended, he's hoping his 2019-20 squad gets its shot to compete for the Stanley Cup.
"That's, gosh, over a year ago," Cooper said of the sweep, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith. "There has been a lot of time in between. To be honest, I haven't even thought about that until you brought it up.
"We're a pretty focused group. For some teams, the season ending abruptly is just a turn of the page for next year. And there are a bunch of teams that this season stopping is getting in the way of people's unfinished business. I say we're in that group, but there's others too."
With the NHL campaign currently on pause, Tampa Bay sits second in the Atlantic Division. And after winning the Presidents' Trophy before bowing out last year, Cooper says his club hasn't taken its success for granted this time around.
"I just think our mentality was a little bit different. Last year, we had more of a feeling of, 'Oh, we’re bulletproof.' And this year, we don’t feel like that at all. There was an urgency level to this team that's heightened."
The season was officially suspended on March 12, and its status remains unclear. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is continuing to explore all options, and that players would need at least two-to-three weeks of training camp if the campaign does resume.
Colby Cave, a forward in the Edmonton Oilers organization, died Saturday after suffering a brain bleed earlier in the week.
The 25-year-old was remembered through an outpouring of warm messages and memories from family, friends, teammates, coaches, and others around the hockey world.
Janet and I are so sad to hear of Colby’s passing. He was a wonderful hockey player with a bright future, but an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emily and his entire family. 🙏
Colby was a terrific teammate with great character, admired & liked everywhere he played. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his wife Emily, his family & friends at this very difficult time.
The bond between a brother and sister is a special one. It remains unchanged by time and distance and is the purest form of friendship I’ve ever had. You will now, and forever, be my special angel Colb💙 pic.twitter.com/WsbmDrP2BD
I don’t understand any of it. What I do know is that Colby will be deeply missed. A great person with a great attitude who brought a smile to the rink every day. Deepest condolences to his family. I am so sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace Caver.
Colby not only brightened up the hockey world but every person he graced with his presence. We love you Caver, and the entire Cave family we are here with you. We are so sorry for your loss. R.I.P Caver, I’ll meet you at the pearly gates,I’ll bring the beers, I’ll bring the beers https://t.co/MyzB0pI6tv
Devastating news today. Going to miss that infectious smile of yours Caver. Thankful I got to live with you in Providence and see firsthand your hard work & dedication to hockey. You taught me more than you know, but the best part was you were an even better person. RIP Colby ❤️
RIP Colby. Here’s a photo I took the day the Bruins visited the Great Wall of China. He was wearing a Humboldt Broncos hat and a permanent grin. pic.twitter.com/RBqdbSIuIU
Colby was just such a phenomenal person to be around. He was the epitome of what a professional hockey player should be: caring, driven, focused & serious. Our thoughts & prayers continue to remain with Emily & the entire Cave family.
Rest In Peace caver, always enjoyed our time together. Was a pleasure and honor to play with you. You always had a positive mindset and could light a room with your smile and laugh. Praying for your family
One staff member recalls that every time Cave was recalled from the AHL he would come to the rink and head straight to the staff offices to give everyone a hug. Only player they can recall doing that. "A truly decent and loving person."
Blessed to call you a teammate and close friend. I know you’ll be always be watching over us. So grateful for the time we got to spend together. Rest In Peace Caver https://t.co/9C0z3AGaxO
The best guy around would always show up with a smile and make his surroundings better. Can’t believe this happened. Prayers and thoughts to Emily, and the family. RIP caver, you will always be missed. https://t.co/ai20Nba0Tc
Gone from us way too early. Was lucky enough to sit next to you all year in the dressing room always bringing a positive attitude and big smile to the rink. You were a warrior on the ice and a gentleman off it. Thanks for being a great teammate and friend. Rest In Peace Caver https://t.co/xeeXWL7WRZ
RIP Colby Cave... heartbreaking to hear the news this morning, he was always a player that competed hard and played the right way in my time playing against him. Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones during this time 🙏🏼
Talk of Colby Cave's exemplary character is not overstated. Here he was going out of his way to make the experience memorable by talking to my boy and his teammates during pre game. He didn't have to do it, but he wanted to. His wife and family can be proud. pic.twitter.com/EQdudnXv2k
Man this 2020 just ain’t it. Tragedy after heartbreak and the cycle seems to just continue. As tough as it is our only choice is to persevere. I just truly hope and pray the Lord is with the Cave Family today and helping them through this unimaginable loss. 💔🙏🏽
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson could have returned to the ice in March despite being ruled out for the remainder of the season following mid-February thumb surgery.
"If the season would have been on, I probably could have played a couple weeks ago if I had to," Karlsson told NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday, according to NHL.com.
The Sharks sat last in the Western Conference when the season was suspended March 12, making them a near lock to miss the playoffs for only the third time in the last two decades.
Despite the disappointing season, Karlsson explained he's developed a fresh outlook on life while stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"I think something like this makes you realize that there's a lot of things out there that are more important, even though hockey is one of the biggest parts of my life and something that I enjoy to do," Karlsson said.
He added, "It puts a lot of things in perspective and you get to discover a lot of other things outside the hockey world which you otherwise might not have been able to. This is something we all have to go through."
Before suffering the injury, the 29-year-old rearguard tallied six goals and 40 points through 56 contests in his second season with San Jose.
The end of every NHL seasonforces some players to ponder whether it's time to retire. With the 2019-20 NHL campaign currently suspended - and potentially finished - this is certainly not the way that the players wrestling with this decision wanted to go out.
Several ageless wonders - including Zdeno Chara, Jason Spezza, Andy Greene, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau - have already made it clear that they intend to play next season, so we can cross them off the list. There are some others, however, whose future remains unclear.
If the season is officially canceled, here are six players who may have played their final game in the NHL.
Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Career numbers (regular season)
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1264
320
477
797
16:53
Williams began 2019-20 on the sidelines while contemplating his future in the league, so if the campaign is ultimately canceled, it's hard to imagine him coming back for a full season.
The 19-year veteran didn't rejoin the Hurricanes until January but showed he still had some game left when he did return. Williams contributed eight goals and 11 points through 20 contests and boasted positive possession numbers at five-on-five. If this is it, "Mr. Game 7" will go out as one of the most clutch performers of his generation, taking three Stanley Cup rings with him.
Ryan Miller, Anaheim Ducks
Joe Hrycych / National Hockey League / Getty
Career numbers
GP
W
L
T/OL
GAA
SV%
SO
780
387
281
86
2.61
.915
44
Goaltenders of Miller's ilk can almost always find work during the tail end of their careers. Though his days as a starter are behind him, if the 39-year-old wishes to continue, he'll likely be able to do so.
Miller's current deal with the Ducks is about to expire, however, and he turns 40 in July. Perhaps he'll seek a one-year deal with a team in need of depth between the pipes? The 6-foot-2 puck-stopper is only two years removed from posting elite numbers as a backup, and his .907 save percentage behind an injured and inexperienced blue line in 2019-20 shows he's got something left in the tank. He could potentially be of great value in that role with a more veteran group in front of him.
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
Timothy Hiatt / WireImage / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1114
103
361
464
18:09
There's no questioning Seabrook's toughness and determination to continue playing, but the soon-to-be 35-year-old underwent three surgical procedures - one on his right shoulder and one on each hip - at the beginning of 2020.
Considering his performance was already declining and the heavy workload he's handled throughout his career, there's cause for concern. The 6-foot-3 rearguard has logged the 16th-most regular-season minutes and fifth-most playoff minutes this decade. Entering 2019-20, Seabrook had only missed 32 contests over 14 seasons.
Seabrook's contract situation is unique on this list, however. With four years remaining on his deal, a buyout would cause headaches down the road for the Blackhawks. Seabrook will likely have a chance to determine his own fate in the coming months. Knowing his never-say-die attitude, he'll probably be back on the ice, but only time will tell.
Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Career numbers
GP
W
L
T/OL
GAA
SV%
SO
648
289
251
69
2.84
.913
42
The Senators' all-time winningest netminder could be at the end of the line. Anderson turns 39 in May, isn't under contract for next season, and his stats have been below average over three straight campaigns.
It doesn't appear as though Marcus Hogberg is ready to command the starting role, however, so Ottawa could bring Anderson back to share the crease with the 25-year-old and serve as a role model amid the team's rebuild. With a platoon system becoming the norm in nets around the league, it's not inconceivable that Anderson could get a one-year deal somewhere else should the Senators move on.
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
Len Redkoles / National Hockey League / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1028
205
504
709
19:11
Koivu, who turned 37 in March, is in the final year of his current deal and has seen significant decreases in both his production and ice time over the last three seasons. It's possible a team could bring him in on a minimum deal to add depth and experience, but it's hard to envision his journey ending outside the city where he's spent his entire 15-year NHL career.
If it's truly the end of the road, the Wild captain will ride into the sunset as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points, and assists, with each of those records far from being threatened.
Jay Bouwmeester, St. Louis Blues
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Career numbers
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
1240
88
336
424
24:07
Most importantly, it's great to hear Bouwmeester is doing well after he collapsed on the bench during a February game in Anaheim. However, the combination of his medical episode, his age, and his expiring contract could spell the end of the defenseman's career.
There is a silver lining, though: After 16 seasons in the NHL, Bouwmeester reached hockey's summit last June, helping the Blues capture their first-ever Stanley Cup. The 36-year-old rearguard will also be remembered as one of the game's true ironmen. He ranks 25th all time among defensemen in games played, and only Chara has logged more minutes on the blue line since 1998-99.
Ottawa selected the 21-year-old in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Draft.
"Since being drafted just last June, Mark has worked hard to earn this contract," general manager Pierre Dorion said. "We were pleased to see how he progressed in his overage season in Calgary, where he served as Hitmen captain for two consecutive seasons, and where he was on track to post his most productive major junior season. He's a solid two-way center who shows strong attention to detail in his play."
The 6-foot-3 pivot led the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen in both goals (38) and points (68) through 58 games in 2019-20, his fifth season with the club. Kastelic finished his major junior career ranked third in franchise history with 126 goals.
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith confirmed Wednesday that the six members of the club - five players and one staff member - who fell ill to the coronavirus have fully recovered.
"I'm really glad that everybody in our organization and on that plane is now doing well, but it's certainly a scary time," Smith said, according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.
Smith said seeing the virus firsthand allowed the organization to appreciate its severity and act accordingly.
"Yeah, it hit us, but at the same time, it probably saved a lot of us because unless you see it up close that quickly, we probably got a little bit of a jump on this," he explained.
Smith also admitted that when his team was in San Jose ahead of its March 7 contest against the Sharks, the city felt different after Santa Clara health authorities recommended the game be played without spectators. The Sharks did not follow that warning and went along with the game as planned.
"In San Jose, it was kind of weird, we got onto Santana Row and there wasn't really a lot of people out," Smith said. "Guys usually like to try and go for a walk and dinner - at that point, no one knew what we know now. Guys were aware, but I don't think there's any way of telling that it would have gotten to this level, certainly for us, anyway."
The NHL season was officially suspended March 12. Since then, eight players in total - five Senators and three from the Colorado Avalanche - have tested positive for COVID-19.
"I think it's not really fair, because it's still, I believe, 12 or 13 games (remaining)," Bobrovsky said Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "Lots of games, and we're right in the mix. We have the opportunity to be in there, and if they just cut it off, I don't think it's fair."
Barkov shared the same sentiment in March. With the season on pause, the Panthers sit three points shy of a postseason berth with 13 games left. If the league decided to end the campaign and award the final playoff seeds based on points percentage, Florida would still miss out.
"From a sports standpoint, the season is 82 games and then the playoffs start," Bobrovsky said. "You just can't cut off where we are and move right into the playoffs."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that the league continues to explore all options, though he admitted that completing the regular season "may not be possible."
Bobrovsky inked a seven-year, $70-million pact with the Panthers in July, but has struggled to find his game in Sunrise. The 31-year-old puck-stopper owns a .900 save percentage through 50 games.
Florida is in danger of missing the playoffs for a fourth straight campaign and the 17th time in the past two decades.
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
Former Team Canada captain Hayley Wickenheiser and Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds are stepping up to help provide Canadian frontline health care workers with personal protective equipment as they continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wickenheiser, who is in her final year of medical school, said she'd been receiving texts from her friends in the field expressing their concerns about the shortage of equipment. When the Hall of Fame forward turned to social media to ask for help, Reynolds, a close friend, offered to help spread the call.
"It's been amazing," Wickenheiser told TSN's Gino Reda on Tuesday. "Some people have a lot to give and some people don't. Whether it's a dollar from a young student in India, to 200,000 masks coming up from Denver, people from all around the world have really (reached out). We've had 700 emails in 24 hours from folks that have legitimate things that they want to donate."
The pair teamed up with Conquer COVID-19, a grassroots organization that's helping Canadian health care workers access PPE and other supplies to treat patients. Physicians and frontline workers can log onto the website to list what they need and the organization will try to deliver those items.
To facilitate this initiative, Wickenheiser coordinated a weekly Saturday drive at XYZ Storage in Toronto where donations such as N-95 masks, gloves, baby wipes, and sanitizers can be dropped off.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist says the response has been incredible so far and they expect to gather even more equipment over the weekend.
"It's in the hundreds of thousands of items that we've physically brought in and it's going to be into the millions by the time our Saturday drive happens," Wickenheiser said.
Several professional sports teams, organizations, and athletes have made efforts to assist frontline medical workers over the past few weeks, including the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry, and NASCAR.
Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot and teams in the city are making it clear where they stand on the potential return of sports in the near future.
On Monday, Lightfoot and all professional sports franchises in Chicago unveiled a new awareness campaign, "We Are Not Playing," which encourages the public to comply with stay-at-home restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports ESPN's Michele Steele. Those teams have agreed to use their platforms and players to communicate the messaging.
"We'd rather be here in Soldier Field, or Wrigley, or Sox park, or at the United Center, or Wintrust (Arena), cheering on our players and having a good time with our friends, but this crisis has changed almost everything - and particularly our sports," Lightfoot said. "Coming to these parks would be dangerous and deadly to ourselves and our city."
When asked about the chance of playing games without fans in the stands, Lightfoot spoke to the complexity of the situation.
"We're not there yet," she responded. "Various sports leagues are talking about a number of different options."
The mayor went on to recognize teams that have announced plans to compensate day-game staff over lost revenue.
"I want to commend the team leaders who have announced their plans to continue supporting these employees despite games being canceled," Lightfoot said. "It's these kinds of actions that will allow our city to get through this crisis and get back on track as quickly as possible."
On March 11, the NBA became the first professional sports league to suspend its season. The majority of other North American leagues followed suit shortly after.
