Covid-19

[Josh]

Might as well have a thread for this. It's now directly affecting NHL hockey, as all public gatherings for March have been banned in Santa Clara county. All events at the SAP Centre, therefore - including 3 San Jose Sharks games - have been cancelled for the month of March:

https://twitter.com/rwesthead/status/1237206477749858304

[Josh]

The governor of Ohio has recommended that there be no spectators for any indoor sports. The Columbus Blue Jackets might soon find themselves in the same position as the Sharks.

[Josh]

The states of California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, and Washington have all declared states of emergency.

[Josh]

- The Czech Republic will play the remainder of their games with no fans in attendance.
- Denmark has postponed their playoffs.
- Norway has postponed their playoffs.
- Switzerland has postponed their playoffs.
- France has suspended their playoffs until at least March 17th.
- Slovakia has suspended all hockey until at least March 23rd.
- Austria has cancelled the remainder of their season.
- Germany has cancelled the remainder of their season.
- Poland has cancelled the remainder of their season.

[matchesmalone]

Holy shit. They're taking this thing seriously.

[Josh]

The NBA has suspended their season. The NHL is almost sure to follow suit soon.

[Josh]

This could have major implications for two big reasons I can think of:

1 - Imagine being a team who dealt assets for rentals, like the Oilers. If the season and playoffs are cancelled, that's gonna leave a real sour taste.
2 - You also don't get to participate in the draft lottery if you "made the playoffs" - even if you don't actually get to compete?

Could Ottawa's big picks be in jeopardy?

[Josh]

The NHL has asked all of their teams to refrain from holding practices this morning. It's coming. They're going to suspend the season..

[Josh]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is self-isolating. His wife may have the virus.

[Josh]

The NHL has suspended the season.

[Josh]

The Prime Minister's wife has Covid-19.

[Josh]

An Ottawa Senators player has tested positive:

https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-player-tests-positive-for-covid-19/c-316208628

[Canuck88]

Now a Boston Bruins player tested positive.

[Josh]

Auston Matthews tested positive.