The NHL has a new target date to start training camps and Phase 3.
We are slowly inching towards the return of the 2019-20 NHL season. Recently, the league announced the start of Phase 2, which allows teams to have small voluntary workouts. On Thursday, June 11, the league set an exact date for “Phase 3”, which is when formal training camps begin. They’re targetting July 10 as the date when teams can start their training camps.
The NHL has continued to ensure to fans and players that they are making sure that all steps are taken with proper precautions in order to keep everyone safe.
However, a date to start Phase 4, which would mean the start of the play-in round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has yet to be finalized. It sounds like the league is going to play that by ear.
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
June 8 marked the start of the NHL’s “Phase 2” where training facilities were opened up for players to get back on the ice on a voluntary basis.
All players are tested before entering the facility and on a regular basis throughout this period of time. Players are allowed to train in small groups (maximum 6 players) and many of them have already taken advantage of this opportunity to get back onto the ice.
Phase 3 is a very important step for the 24 teams who are participating in the postseason. Players have not been on the ice together for months and it will be important to get everyone back on the same page. Many of these teams made big moves at the Trade Deadline and have not had enough time to allow the new players to get used to the new systems.
These training camps are crucial in getting everyone back into a rhythm and ready to jump right into an extremely competitive atmosphere. 18 teams will be fighting in the play-in rounds to try and get into the postseason while the top four teams in each conference are fighting for playoff seeding. There is no “easing” back into action so the importance of training camp has never been more important.