The Rangers and Islanders have been skating at their respective facilities since the second week of June, but now they will have to wait even longer for the next step in the NHL’s return to the game.
The league informed teams that Phase 3, the start of formal training camp for the 24 clubs heading into the tournament, was delayed until at least July 13, according to Larry Brooks of The Post, after it had been tentatively scheduled for July 10.
The NHL and its Players Association are still working to work out the details of a “Return to Play” plan for Phases 3 and 4 (the restart of play) and an extension of the collective bargaining agreement. As of Thursday afternoon, the proposal had yet to be finalized and presented to the players, who were expected to have a conference call on Thursday. Pending agreement and a subsequent vote by the NHL players and board of governors, Edmonton and Toronto are expected to be the central cities where the games will be played amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The slight delay in opening training camps could give teams located in states with COVID-19 access points, including Lightning, Panthers, Stars and Coyotes, a few more days to prepare.
The NHL had announced on June 11 that the training camps would open on July 10, “as long as medical and security conditions allow and the parties have reached a general agreement on the resumption of play.” How long training camp will last, and therefore when the games will start, has not yet been determined.
The Rangers opened their facilities on June 9 and the Islanders on June 8 for Phase 2, which allowed players to train in small volunteer groups on and off the ice.
– Additional reports from Larry Brooks.
.
