Kevin Bieksa tells fans not to get their hopes up about the NHL returning this summer

Despite the fact that the NHL seems to be hellbent on awarding the Stanley Cup for the 2019-20 season, former NHLer turned hockey analyst Kevin Bieksa is telling fans to temper their expectations.

“A lot of friends that I have and a lot of people that I've talked to that are going to be playing, they still don't have their equipment, they still haven't skated, they're still very skeptical,” Bieksa told Sportsnet 650 on Monday. “They haven't been told anything by their team, so I'm skeptical. I obviously want hockey back. I'd love to cover some games and watch it on TV and get everything back to normal but I wouldn't jump the gun if I were the fans. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much yet.”

The NHL is currently in Phase 2 of its Return to Play action plan, with phase 3, the opening of training camps, slated to get underway July 10th. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing is a sure thing right now. Another bad outbreak could send everyone back into lockdown, including NHL players. Bieksa states there are also big issues that have been left hanging.

“There's so much to figure out,” Bieksa said. “Not only with the safety measures and protocol and everything but I don't even know if it's been discussed with the (NHLPA) and the league how they're going to divide HRR (hockey-related revenue). Like, usually, historically the players play for free in the playoffs and the bonuses that they get are paid for by themselves. Well there's no money, so you're telling me players are going to come back, leave their families, sacrifice now and get no money for it? Like, how's that going to work? So, that's a pretty big negotiation right there that hasn't even been discussed yet.”

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks recently echoed Bieksa's concerns.

“I know the NHL has put out updates and what not, but I think as players, nothing has been agreed to yet. There's a long way to go before we reach a certain agreement where we would want to come back and play and feel safe enough and feel like it's the right deal for us to come back. Obviously, we're in the process of doing that and it's an ongoing process, but I think we have to be cautious about talking about certain dates and coming back when nothing is settled as of yet. It's still ongoing and hopefully it gets figured out.”

Source: Sportsnet

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