In conjunction with the NHLPA, the NHLвЂ™s management of the pandemic and implementation of protocols has been enlightened throughout. Is the one shot at seeing Connor McDavid worth it? How do you think it would go over if the Giants and Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox, Cardinals and Cubs squared off nine times instead of 19? But hey, now all of the NHL players are guaranteed their trips to Florida and southern California denied last season. On the ice, isnвЂ™t everyone who puts down good money for tickets thrilled with the fact that the Islanders and Rangers will meet a total of four times this year - twice until April - so that Coyotes, Ducks and Flames can come east? All your rivalry matches are once again far and few between.

Still, when the findings are released, the focus will be directed off the ice to an ugly arena. No evidence has been publicly produced that would implicate them in wrongdoing. It is, of course, entirely possible the report would clear these individuals. The report could - could - contain revelations that impact then-and-now Chicago general manager Stan Bowman, who also holds that position for the USA Olympic Team Florida head coach Joel Quenneville, who held that position with the Blackhawks at that time and Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin, who was then ChicagoвЂ™s director of player personnel. The NHL has said it supports releasing findings of the inquiry. There is no timetable for release of the report. It is unknown when the investigation will be completed by the firm of Jenner & Block LLP. The Blackhawks have pledged to release the findings of the report of the вЂњindependentвЂќ investigation the franchise commissioned from former federal prosecutor Reid Schar and his law firm regarding the lawsuits filed by two former players alleging that the team took no action after they reported they had been sexually assaulted by an assistant coach in 2010. So as we go back to a semi-normal landscape this year, the NHL season is opening with the potential of a metaphorical ticking time bomb hiding in plain sight.

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