Montreal Canadiens: 5 key things from Phase 2 of the Return to Play plan

The NHL is preparing to move into Phase 2 of its Return to Play plan, meaning it’s another step forward before the Montreal Canadiens take the ice again.

Results from the NHLPA Executive Board vote on the Return to Play plan were released. The Montreal Canadiens, as well as 28 of the 31 items in the NHL voted to approve the plan to restart the league, which would involve a 24-team playoff format. However, the vote didn’t confirm the return of professional hockey, but it began future processes to get to that point.

Several hockey insiders, including Bob McKenzie and Pierre Lebrun, have shared information Monday morning of the league’s Phase 2. According to both, Phase 2 is a 29-page document that has already been released to teams and players and is going to be released to the public soon. Sometime in early June is the target date for Phase 2, and it details the opening of team practice facilities and small group workouts.

Here are five key things we know are in the document:

1) Practices

Only six players can be in the practice facility at once. The NHL has no return date in sight, but now players who haven’t been able to, can get on the ice and start working on their skating for when things get going again. At the same time, lines and defence partners can practice again with each other to re-establish chemistry and get some flow going.

However, these meetings are players only but players of other teams can use facilities in the areas they are living currently.

No coaches or player personnel will be allowed on the ice while the players are.

2) Face Masks

Players do not have to wear face masks while they are exercising or on the ice, but they must wear them during any other time spent in the facility. While entering or exiting the building or moments where social distancing can’t be maintained, they must have a mask on.

3) Testing

Testing of asymptomatic players will be taking place to ensure safety and to reduce spread. However, these won’t be done in abundance so as not to take aware from others in need of tests. It’s been made clear that not having symptoms does not mean you are infected, and the NHL and NHLPA are taking this into account.

4) Future Phases

Phase 2 details the re-opening of practice facilities and small group workout sessions. Phase 3 will discuss how to start training camp while Phase 4 will detail how to restart the season. However, these are way down the line and, in my opinion, will depend on how Phase 2 goes.

5) Voluntary

This is the most important one for me. Players are not expected or contractually contrived to participate in Phase 2. It is voluntary, which is crucial, considering not all players will feel comfortable with doing this. There may be players who lived with elderly loved ones or who have young children at home who don’t want to do this.

Additionally, there are those whose systems are different. Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi comes to mind as he’s been battling with diabetes for years, so it’s comforting for the NHL not to make this mandatory.

There is no set amount of time dedicated to Phase 2. It’s going to be a very dynamic process moving forward for the Montreal Canadiens and the rest of the league. However, they have a plan, and it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.