Next week, Phase 2 of the NHL’s Return to Play plan is expected to start. It’s basically means that players will be allowed to return to their home facilities and practice in small groups. While the majority of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s roster stayed in Tampa during the shutdown, some players have quarantined outside of the United States, including regular players Victor Hedman and Luke Schenn. In their article yesterday, Joe Smith and Sean Shapiro of The Athletic throw light on current situation with these players and what issues they might face during their return to Tampa.
A key question that will have to be answered is the two-week mandated quarantine for players arriving from foreign countries. If Hedman, for example, takes a flight from Sweden to Tampa through New York, will he have to quarantine near the JFK or Laguardia airport, or can he fly safely to Tampa and quarantine there?
Victor Hedman is currently staying in his homeland Sweden, one of the few countries which hasn’t imposed a lockdown. On the other side, Luke Schenn has returned to Kelowna, B.C., where rules are far more strict, to stay with his wife and his newborn son. Per his words, he’s still not quite sure when he will join the team
“We don’t know what the future conditions are going to be like, if we’re leaving our family and for how long?” Schenn said. “It’s like another offseason, although you don’t know when the deadline is. You work out on your own and get together when camp starts.
“For the most part, everyone is in the same boat – which is a good and a bad thing.”
There’s also another player who might join the expanded 28-player roster, it’s Alex Volkov, who returned to Russia, when AHL cancelled the rest of the season. Russia has become one of the epicentres of the pandemic, registering about nine thousand COVID-19 cases daily.
Lightning Round
You’ve probably already seen Alex Killorn’s viral video. Here’s some behind the scenes stories from people involved in making it.
By now you’ve seen the viral “Flying V” video by @TBLightning + @Akillorn19. “The Bolts Are Back.” Here’s a behind the scenes look at the 4-hour shoot, from the improvs to big saves. Insight from Killorn, @sergachev31 + more on “ultimate free agent video.” https://t.co/29XntE6LGj
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) May 29, 2020
The Syracuse Crunch revealed winners for the NBT Bank Plus/Minus Players of Year award, which was shared between defensemen Cameron Gaunce and Luke Witkowski. Both players registered a plus-12 this season.
Congratulations to Cameron Gaunce and Luke Witkowski.
These two are our NBT Bank Plus/Minus Players of Year.
Our blueliners led the team with a plus-12 this season. pic.twitter.com/hiyjpKhrhX
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) May 29, 2020
The NHL.com writers once again voted for winner the Vezina Trophy. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished third in their ballot.
Right now, the @NHLdotcom writers have @tuukkarask leading the pack for the Vezina Trophy! Who do you think is most deserving? 🤔
MORE: https://t.co/3epPwWPuGK pic.twitter.com/xCzSsTOMBr
— NHL (@NHL) May 29, 2020
The Arizona Coyotes will be wearing Kachina jerseys for all games they are designated as a home team during the qualifying round and possible playoffs games.
You asked, we answered.
When we return to play, we’ll be wearing Kachina jerseys. pic.twitter.com/8noEoX2Lpn
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) May 29, 2020
The Henderson Silver Knights will join the next AHL season as the new Vegas Golden Knights affiliate. The Golden Knights presented the team’s name and logo on Thursday night
MEET OUR LIL SIB, @HSKnights!!! #VegasBorn | #HomeMeansHenderson pic.twitter.com/CVRjFqH8Hc
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 29, 2020
