from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

The NHL’s message to its players to self-quarantine in their home cities for “a week or so” is filled with implied optimism, the league suggesting the next phase in its “pause” mechanism might be to authorize small-group informal skates at team practice facilities.

That would be followed by a brief training camp to precede resumption of the regular season and a full Stanley Cup playoff tournament, even if played in spectator-free arenas.

If this were early December, I’d tell you that if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a wonderful Christmas.

There is nothing at all wrong about being optimistic and planning accordingly as long as the folks running the show are prepared for the worst. In this case, of course, that would mean cancelation of the rest of the season and the playoffs.

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