The latest on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL
As I am sure all of you are aware by now, the world has been turned upside down by this coronavirus pandemic. Here, I thought to share some news on TO’s favorite hockey team, which people love to hate. Who you ask? the Toronto Maple Leafs of course who else. Personally, I have been a fan of this team since a young age. At my house, we kind of grew up Leaf fans being from Toronto and all just trying to support the home team. Having said that, this team although up and coming has had past struggles in the playoffs. In this article, I want to break down what a safe return to the post season will have to look like for the Leafs, and the rest of the teams involved. Whatever “safe” looks like in a post Covid-19 world that is, I guess.
With the recent news of superstar Auston Matthews now being fit to play after testing positive for the coronavirus, this team and others around the NHL need to take a cautious approach to once again resuming game action. There are only so many ways of going about this if the NHL is to return to any kind of normalcy. At the forefront, is of course player health and safety. This includes their family members and others who may be around them. Issues like this are so complex because they involve fan interactions (which may not happen for a while by the looks of it), arena staff, and employees at these venues. Not to mention player personnel, team equipment managers, coaches, team doctors etc.…If even one person(who may or may not be a player) is exposed on a team, it can open a door to the spread of Covid-19 to any number of people because of how contagious this illness is. Basically, anyone who comes in contact with those who are or have been infected prior is at risk.
First of all, in a desired return to action it is now known the Leafs would face the Columbus Blue Jackets in round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Players would love nothing more than to return to action, and this statement is echoed by many across the league. Not only is it important for the players to return in game shape and ready to go. It is also vital that the NHL begins to make up for all the lost revenue. Due in large part to the shutdown the coronavirus has caused. These are steps that I believe would go a long way in making sure everyone is safe when the NHL does return.
- First of all, now that the NHL knows Covid-19 is amongst its players and team personnel. Measures must be taken to isolate certain players and those around them to stop the spread. Lockdown measures should be taken into consideration. These restrictions should not be lifted unless there is a downward trend in cases popping up around the league.
- Toronto will host Eastern conference teams and Edmonton western conference teams. Within those two cities there has to be vicinities put in place where the players and their families can be kept safe and away from potential areas of virus contamination. Essentially, this means away from the general public, and just a space for themselves and their loved ones.
- If after doing this, and there seems to be no concern of Covid-19 in the NHL community. Then teams can begin their training for the playoffs which under normal circumstances consists of a two-three-week training camp prior to the start of the season. This is to ensure players have their legs under them when they return to game action. Viral testing on everyone involved will need to be done on a regular basis to make sure everything is running smoothly.
- All places where the NHL players, staff, and personnel reside are monitored closely to see who comes in or out. Screen people to see if they have shown or show symptoms of being sick. Everyone participating in the NHL and the whole process lives under the same vicinities until Covid-19 is under control and clear. If anyone breaks the rules of the procedures and guidelines put in place, they can face serious fines/consequences. There has to be no room for exception to this rule because lives are at stake here.
- All food is to be prepared on site and everything cleaned and sanitized before use prior to serving. This includes all kitchen items, utensils, and products needed for cooking.
- If any new players contract Covid-19, the NHL playoffs for 2020 is put on hold as a result in order to find out where the source originates from. Only when it is located, taken care of properly, and with minimal risk of new exposure can game play resume once again. After the investigation concludes, if the source is believed to come from a team member who ignored or disregarded quarantine/lockdown rules. That player and his whole team are automatically disqualified from the NHL playoffs with no leniency allowed to that rule, as a reprisal.
- If the initial part of the season going into the playoffs and round one is completed without any incidents of Covid-19. Rules can then start to be lessened and lifted in terms of the lockdown effect. Once this happens, team members may be allowed to bring more of their family and friends around them into the fold. Including any extra support and additional team staff that may be of assistance. These new people will only be permitted around the team if they have tested negative for Covid-19 beforehand and agree to quarantine rules while there.
To conclude, I feel that the NHL can once again resume being profitable and entertaining as it once was. However, with the virus now out there a new normal has to be set in place from here on out. Everyone wants to have sports again and hockey especially back. Although, it has to be within in reason and in parts, step by step, slowly but surely (remember that saying slow and steady wins the race). This is to ensure a safe and smooth transition back into the game. Out of the mess we have all endured for months now.
Until the next one,
Matt(Team 6ixhappening)