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PHR Live Chat: 03-12-20
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Gavin Lee
6:02
Hey guys.
6:03
I'm sure this won't be a very long chat, since I don't have the answers you'll be looking for.
It's been a tough day across the sports world.
6:04
If you do have any questions, submit them and I'll do my best.
Mike
6:09
Do voting for awards such as the Calder still go on, even if worse case the entire season and playoffs are canceled?
Gavin Lee
6:10
Obviously the focus from the league isn't on that right now so they haven't made a ruling, but I can't imagine that they wouldn't give out the regular season awards, even if we've seen the last game.
Matt
6:15
Well this sucks...
Gavin Lee
6:15
Sure does.
Matt
6:16
But, safety first, I suppose. Thankfully we haven't heard any confirmed cases in the NHL world.
Gavin Lee
6:16
That's the positive sign, though it's hard to believe that there won't be one eventually.
6:17
The rest of the Jazz tested negative, which is also a good sign
Bob
6:18
With the NCAA tournament canceled can college players sign with their NHL teams?
Gavin Lee
6:18
Again there isn't any official ruling on this, but Michael Russo of The Athletic, who usually has a handle on these things, tweeted earlier today that he believes they can.
6:19
The issue right now is probably how the cap will be affected because of this pause--something that wasn't explained, or even perhaps discussed, by the board today
That all needs to be sorted out before signings are done, I imagine.
Matt
6:19
Looks like pulling the media out of locker rooms and such was a good idea after all.
Gavin Lee
6:20
You can't know for sure what any of the precautions accomplished at this point, but obviously the NHL world is pretty clean right now.
Bob
6:20
Assuming minors are done as well?
Gavin Lee
6:20
Yes, the AHL and ECHL both temporarily suspended their seasons as well.
6:21
They'll follow the NHL, even though they are technically independant
Boozer
6:23
Should be interesting determining draft slotting. Win percentage will be the most likely determination?
Gavin Lee
6:23
This is something we'll write more on in the coming days, but it's not as simple as that.
6:24
The draft order is normally set after the playoffs because the seeding and how far a team gets determines the back half of the round.
With the season on hold, but not technically canceled, the draft lottery can't happen at the start of next month and the final standings won't be known for some time.
6:25
That means the draft has to happen after the playoffs end or are ruled out, which might not happen until the summer
6:26
Which also pushes back free agency, which pushes back training camp, etc etc.
There are a lot of ramifications from this decision, not just for this season
Mike
6:29
I think I heard on the radio today that their were playoffs as late as September before? Not sure if that’s true
Gavin Lee
6:29
Hmm, I can't answer that one for sure
Mike
6:29
Wonder what the deadline would be
Gavin Lee
6:29
So do I. I'm not sure what is going to happen.
6:30
Frank Seravalli tweeted earlier today that arena availability into July was being discussed
But at this point really who knows what they'll be able to do.
Liz
6:32
Will you continue to report regularly over this break? Preview free agency or the draft class maybe? I'll be missing watching hockey but hope to keep reading. I guess Zach's college columns can be ruled out though
Gavin Lee
6:34
Okay folks. I'll end it with this.

If I'm being honest, we're still not really sure how this will affect our coverage at PHR. It's all very new for us here and at all of the Trade Rumors sites. In fact, the entire sports media landscape is reeling right now from all of the leagues shutting down at once.

But for now, we'll be continuing to bring you as much NHL content as possible--including normal features like free agency and draft previews, as you say. Our team will be publishing pieces every day, so be sure to keep us in mind.

Hopefully this is just a bump in the road and we can get back to normal soon, but in the meantime I hope everyone stays healthy.
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