NHL reports 0 positive COVID-19 tests so other leagues should learn from their example

NHL announces COVID-19 testing following MLB’s Miami Marlins debacle

The outlook for sports seemed bleak before, but matters got much worse after the Miami Marlins had 11 personnel members test positive for COVID-19. With two MLB games canceled on Monday, the status for professional sports took a hit.

That was until the NHL announced their coronavirus testing results. Out of 4,256 tests to over 800 players participating in the final week of training camp, zero came back positive. This goes to show that other leagues should follow the NHL’s example, words we never thought we’d utter in 2020.

NHL is now the gold standard in terms of safety

The NHL has always had a bad rap, considering they had two lockouts in the past 20 years over disputes between the league and players union over the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Now, commissioner Gary Bettman should be applauded for the job he’s done in handling league operations amid a pandemic.

First off, they managed to put in place proper protocols in terms of testing and practicing to the point was a grand total of two positive tests through the two weeks of training camp. Plenty of credit can be given to the coaches and players as well, who reported for workouts and didn’t put themselves or their teams at risk upon leaving the facility.

As of this writing, the 24 eligible teams have reported to their respective hub cities. The Eastern Conference is now calling Toronto their home away from home, while the Western Conference is claiming temporary residency in Edmonton. Oh, and the decision to put the two bubbles in Canada was a wise move for Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly, considering the significant surge in new COVID-19 cases across the United States.

The bubble environments are the best way for North American professional sports to continue their respective seasons. MLS did send two teams (FC Dallas and Nashville SC) home after COVID-19 outbreaks, while the NWSL sent home one squad (Orlando Pride). But, the NWSL managed to conclude their season on Sunday, after the Houston Dash defeated the Chicago Red Stars to win the Challenge Cup.

As for the NBA and WNBA, they did have a low positive test percentage prior to reporting to their respective sites. The WNBA season kicked off this weekend, while the NBA has played scrimmage games prior to the official season restart date taking place this Thursday.

But for the NHL to have zero players clear of COVID-19 upon moving up to Canada goes to show that they are the gold standard on how to resume their season in the pandemic era. As long as players and coaches follow protocol inside their bubbles, a Stanley Cup champion will be determined without a hitch.