After rumors surfaced that the NHL will likely conduct exhibition games and the playoffs in a group of pod cities across North America, some players voiced issues with the plan according to the New York Post.
While NYP tends to embellish its takes, players themselves have spoken out about resumption of the season throughout quarantine (I’m talking about you Drew Doughty).
Some players find it excruciating to play away from their home cities and the comfort of their families.
Well I hate to break it to you, but you’ll be a pretty bad husband, father, or son if you come home carrying COVID-19 and get your entire family sick.
The whole point of the pod city isn’t to make players comfortable. The plan prevents the spread of coronavirus throughout the many interactions associated with conducting an NHL game.
All it takes is Equipment Manager Pete to spread his germs through prepping your equipment and the next thing you know your wife and kids are on a ventilator.
It can happen just like that.
I get that the NHLPA has to protect the interests of its players and we are living in unprecedented times.
But if you’re going to fight for a stance that puts thousands more at risk just because Jimmy Left Wing can’t sleep away from his trophy wife, your priorities are as warped as Jaromir Jagr’s stick curve (by the way, it’s a beauty).
If the NHL has to cancel the season to protect players, that’s understandable and A-OK.
If the NHL wants to finish the year and run summer playoffs, myself and millions of fans will enjoy the thrills of foggy arenas and bad ice as a team (my money’s on the Bruins) hoists the Stanley Cup for the 125th time.
But if the NHLPA throws a stink and forces the NHL to hold its games as originally located, then that puts thousands at risk that don’t need to be.
Coronavirus can hit anyone. Athletes, celebrities, and millionaires can get infected.
Even Georges Laraque, a longtime enforcer turned sports commentator (and the guy who Liev Schreiber absolutely rocks in the opening scene of “Goon”), caught the virus.
The world doesn’t need Brad Marchand to lace them up at TD Garden so badly that the lives of thousands are risked. Playing in one venue with other teams is a much more practical and responsible approach.
And testing so many people would only strain a system that can barely supply the lifesaving indicators to hospitals.
The NHL likely won’t test players in a move similar to that of NASCAR, so any extra assurance that the players are isolated is welcome.
So please, for the love of all things holy (including the Great One), either cancel the season or run with the pod city idea.
Don’t go down in history as the league that caused thousands of deaths when it didn’t take steps to isolate players.
Big Tex Goes to College 