The NHL has a cross-border dilemma to deal with before games return

While leagues like the NBA and MLB include at least one Canadian team, no major leagues will have to deal the issues that the NHL will face once games are set to return. With seven of the 31 teams located in Canada, cross-border travel will be a must for games to take place at home arenas, and that poses some major issues.

"How do sports leagues with teams in Canada contemplate a return to play?," pondered TSN's Rick Westhead. "With eight U.S. states still refusing to impose stay at home legislation, one NHL player agent tells me he's advised clients to expect the U.S.-Canada border to remain closed until well after Canadian Thanksgiving (October 12th)."

Right now, only "essential" traffic is allowed to cross the Canada-U.S. border. Those returning to Canada from out of country (some were stuck when the initial outbreak hit) must self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. In fact, some provinces have instituted a rule where even those returning from other provinces must isolate themselves for two weeks before being allowed out of their homes. This will be a major problem for a league like the NHL, with a unique mix of Canadian and American teams.

The reality is that things will definitely not go back to normal all at once. It will be a gradual phase in of normal activities once medical officials deem it safe to do so. To expect a free flow of travel between Canada and the U.S. to be implemented any time soon is not reasonable. Even if games were all to be held in one spot, would players that travel from one country to another have to self-isolate for a period? These are all things the league will have to deal with if it wants to hold games in the summer. That may even extend to next season with the way things are currently going.

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