Earlier this evening, the NBA announced that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to the abrupt postponement of a game between the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after the Gober news broke, the NBA officially suspended its season and will determine its future plans during the time off.
Following the NBA’s announcement, the NHL released a statement of their own, acknowledging the NBA’s decision to suspend the league’s season and giving a vague update about the NHL’s current status.
National Hockey League Statement Regarding Coronavirus: https://t.co/AKrmh8ao4F pic.twitter.com/PZ7dQBbGVB
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 12, 2020
There is not much to take away from the NHL’s statement other than they are aware of the NBA’s decision, are still consulting medical experts in determining the proper path forward, and to stay tuned for another update sometime tomorrow.
It’s hard to say what the NHL will decide in the coming hours or days regarding their season, but it appears the league is on a path similar to the NBA. Whether or not it takes a player testing positive for the axe to fall remains to be seen, but there are already games scheduled to be taking place behind closed doors beginning Thursday.
For now, the NHL season will go on as scheduled and we must wait further word from the NHL in regards to how they will proceed.