The International Olympic Committee announced today they are giving themselves a mid-April deadline to decide on the fate of the Olympics which are currently slated to start in Tokyo on July 24 through August 9, according to CBC Sports. There are several options the IOC could choose from, which includes postponing the event due to COVID-19. Sportsnet also reports that cancellation of the event has been ruled out.
That decision could play an instrumental role for the NHL as many believed that the NHL’s decision on how long they could postpone their season might hinge on the Olympic Games. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun made it clear a week ago that the NHL had no interest in putting their playoffs up against the Olympics in late July, leaving the league with a tentative drop-dead date. However, if the Olympics opts to postpone their Summer Games, the NHL may be able to bide more time to push the season back.
LeBrun also noted last week that a possible playoff format has been informally proposed that would push the playoffs into August and September, which then wouldn’t interfere for the 2020-21 season. That scenario could become increasingly more likely if the Olympics is postponed.
Im sure players would be happy to hear they can’t compete for the Stanley Cup because Gary is worried about compromising ratings vs the Olympics
I want hockey to finish this season as much as the next fan. But let me get this straight, we could finish in September and that wouldn’t “interfere” with the start of the 2020-21 season?
I fail to believe anyone at league HQ gives a rats azz about the Olympics.
Based on some discussions, their “wish list” of an 82-game season would (probably) involve starting on a later date and/or reducing pre-season games, adding more back-to-backs, possibly eliminating the bye-week, and may or may not shelve the ASG. Too much crap is up in the air, but the league has to play out a whole mess of “what-if” scenarios. As things stand now, containment is more pie-in-the-sky than anything, and when more players get diagnosed, the league’s plans will have to be tweaked, yet again. We’re nowhere near having any good answers, just more questions.