The NHL is extending its recommendation for players and staff to self-isolate and stay away from team facilities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Multiple people with knowledge of the recommendation told The Associated Press on Tuesday the NHL has asked that players and staff extend their self-quarantine 10 days beyond the original March 27 timeline to April 6 – further pushing back the earliest team facilities can reopen.
In addition, the league is directing clubs to provide available home dates for August. By contrast, preseason for the 2019-20 season started in September for many teams. Legal issues could become a problem if hockey continues into July and August as the league’s calendar ends June 30th, complicating not just contracts but could impact work visas for the year for European players.