Los Angeles (AFP)
The commissioner of the North American ice hockey league, Gary Bettman, said Thursday ready to delay the start of the next season until December, if that will allow the current one, suspended because of the coronavirus, to end.
The NHL, which traditionally begins its seasons in mid-October, is ready to review its calendar, as it remains determined to go after it, if the health authorities finally give a green light to the players to return to the ice .
"We have a lot of flexibility regarding the resumption date" for the next season, said Bettman on the NHL Network website. "There is no magic wand that allows us to start in October as we usually do. If we have to start in November or December, this is something that will be studied."
"We will try to have good, careful judgments. It is not a race to be the first to come back," he added.
Speaking of the current season, which was halted on March 12 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bettman said if it resumed, he had no problem playing matches in July and August. . Usually the Stanley Cup is already lifted by the championship winner in June.
The NHL has indicated this week, in concert with the players' union, that they are considering entering "phase 2 of a return to play plan", after the current period of "auto quarantine" observed by the players and team staff.
Phase 2, which could start between mid-May and the end of May according to the wishes of the league, includes sessions in small groups in the training centers of the teams.
Gary Bettman said, however, that no date was set. "We will have to do it step by step, because the health and well-being of our players is paramount to everything that concerns us," he said, adding that he did not want to see them replay. " until they are in good shape. "
"I don't want anyone to get hurt," he said.
© 2020 AFP