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NHL will reportedly open training camps on June 1st

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Sam Hess, Operations with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, skates alone prior Detroit Red Wings playing against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Today the NHL announced is has suspended their season due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) with hopes of returning. The NHL currently joins the NBA, MLS, as well as, other sporting events and leagues around the world suspending play because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Sam Hess, Operations with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, skates alone prior Detroit Red Wings playing against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Today the NHL announced is has suspended their season due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) with hopes of returning. The NHL currently joins the NBA, MLS, as well as, other sporting events and leagues around the world suspending play because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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According to former NHL forward and All-Star Game MVP John Scott, teams will start having training sessions starting on June 1.

Ever since the novel coronavirus pandemic effectively shutdown the 2019-20 NHL season, the question on everyone’s mind has been when there will be hockey again. The league has remained optimistic and is reportedly targeting a return sometime in July. That’s the direction they appear to be heading in, as mini training camps will reportedly start on June 1st.

This is according to former NHL forward and 2016 All-Star Game MVP John Scott. The league has been shut down since March 12.

Additionally, European players will hopefully be back in North America shortly. A good portion of them are spending their quarantines in Europe.

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Now, it’s worth noting no insiders are parroting what Scott’s hearing. However, the timing seems about right if the NHL wants to get the season going in July. Players would need time to get back into game shape because they haven’t been on the ice much, if at all, since March 12. Giving them roughly a month seems about right.

Keep in mind, most players probably haven’t skated since March 12. If June 1st is when teams will have mini-training camps, that’ll be roughly two months (and nearly three full months). That’s roughly the same amount of time as the NHL offseason is for players.

Of course, the big question is, where will these training camps be? Some places, such as New York, probably aren’t suited for camps at this point. Could the league lean on the areas they’re looking at for regular season games? While this would make sense on paper, the NHL would have to make sure the cities they choose have enough arenas to make it happen.

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been fairly transparent during the hiatus. It’s clear he wants there to be a Stanley Cup champion for the 2019-20 season. Even if it means pushing back the 2020-21 season a bit, it would be worth it. A June 1st start time for teams to get back on the ice makes sense.

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