It has been 44 days since the sports world last saw action, when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, at Staples Center on Wednesday, March 11.
One former NHL player says that the league is on its way back.
Via Twitter on Friday night, John Scott tweeted, "Just got word that the NHL camps will begin again June 1...European players are coming back soon #breaking"
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, this news would certainly be welcome to all in the world, as it signals that normalcy is progressively returning.
While Scott did not reveal his source(s), many in the sports community would welcome the league back with open arms.
Scott, 37, played in 286 NHL games between 2009 and 2016. In his career, the former left-winger recorded five goals, six assists, a -19 +/- rating and 544 penalty minutes.
The eight-year veteran spent time with the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens. He retired from the league in December of 2016.
During his only season with Arizona (2015-2016) and despite only registering one point in 11 games, Scott was named captain of the Pacific Division at the NHL All-Star Game in Nashville on January 26.
Eleven days before the game, on January 15, Scott was traded to the Atlantic Division's Montreal Canadiens.
He was deemed eligible to compete for the Pacific Division, and recorded two goals in the semifinal matchup with the Central Division en route to being named All-Star Game MVP. Scott played in his final NHL game on April 5.
The resumption of the season would present many interesting and unique questions that have yet to be answered.
Where will the games be played? Will any fans be allowed, and if so, will it be in a limited capacity with pre-entrance testing procedures in place? Will the league complete the remainder of the regular season (about 13-14 games for each team), or will they move straight into the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
It is also very likely that a 2-3 week training camp will be needed for the players. Many have not skated since the nationwide lockdown began, and many will also be returning from foreign nations with varying lockdown statuses.
There is still a fair amount of logistical work to be sorted through, but Scott's news could be part of a promising first step back towards the resumption of professional sports in North America.
Known cases of players testing positive for COVID-19 have come from both the Ottawa Senators and the Colorado Avalanche. All members of both organizations have fully recovered.
The NHL and MLB halted play in their respective seasons on March 12, with the NBA suspending their season the night before. The NCAA was forced to cancel the remainder of all winter and spring sports, including the NCAA DI Men's Basketball Tournament, on March 12.
The NHL could be the pioneer league when it comes to returning to sports. With one league taking initiative, the other two major leagues will likely soon follow suit shortly there after.
Brace yourselves, people. This has the potential to be very reassuring news...soak it in. Between this and the ongoing NFL Draft, sports are, indeed, on the way back!
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