City National Arena was re-opened a few weeks ago with the beginning of Phase 2 of the NHL’s return to play plans. It called for only six players to be on the ice at a time and the facilities to be under strict safety protocols.
Despite the rough news over the weekend regarding positive cases, it was reported this week that the number of players allowed in the building is being increased to 12 as the league continues on the path towards the opening of training camps on July 10th.
The Golden Knights confirmed early on that six players, Marc-Andre Fleury, Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny, Nick Holden, and Deryk Engelland, participated in a skate the very first day of Phase 2. Since, they’ve sent out a couple more videos showing the exact same group of six players.
However, with most players in town, and a few others confirming they’ve skated, it’s been clear that the total number of players heading to skate each day was larger than six. Speaking on Sportsnet’s Hockey Central yesterday, George McPhee confirmed that nearly the entire roster is back.
We had I think 24 players skate the first week, 28 the second week, and we’ll probably have 30 this week. –McPhee on Hockey Central
To make matters even better, he also gave an update on the overall health of the team, which was seemingly a bit more dire than it appeared over the course of this season.
Everyone (is healthy). I don’t know what players that you were aware of that were injured. We weren’t public with all of them but they are all healthy. We had a couple of those high ankle sprains that take forever to heal and sometimes you need the summer for them to heal and we’re fortunate that we’ve had this kind of time for them to heal. –McPhee on Hockey Central
The expectation is that the league will allow teams to carry 28 skaters and an unlimited number of goalies when play resumes at the hub cities. Meaning for Vegas, just about everyone who will play is back to training and for the most part, has been for the last two weeks.
Kelly McCrimmon confirmed last Monday that the organization has not experienced any positive tests for Coronavirus.
All in all, it’s looking good for the Golden Knights as they prepare to return to the ice for real and accomplish what they couldn’t in years one and two. It might look even better by the end of the week too as SinBin.vegas sources indicate the players have been told the current plan is for the Golden Knights to stay in Vegas and play at T-Mobile Arena.
The Golden Knights have sent out three videos showing the six players mentioned above one the ice. Here’s the latest of those videos.
Doktor Hockey
Good news on: The health of the team and number participating in daily skates. July 10th camp date still on. Just hoping this does come about!
fn
no, THIS is the best news in that article—
SinBin.vegas sources indicate the players have been told the current plan is for the Golden Knights to stay in Vegas and play at T-Mobile Arena.
Doktor Hockey
I didn’t say BEST news. But of course you can be right, if that’s what you need.
fn
according to Pierre Lebrun, Vegas is a lock, and the other hub will be either Edmonton or Vancouver. LA, Chicago and Toronto are longshots, according to Lebrun.
Tim
I wonder who the extra players who have been skating?
Tim
Come on Ken 30 players skating and you haven’t been bird dogging practice to see who they brought up. Ken your our vessel for info as you know the Knights web site gives zero info most of the time.
Ken Boehlke
Trust me, we are doing the best we can to get all the info possible. It’s really tricky when you can’t see anyone in person ever.