In Red Wings Land

As NHL starts back up, don’t expect mingling among players in hubs – The Detroit News

Steven Mayer, the NHL’s chief content officer, who oversees the production of the hub city arenas in Edmonton and Toronto, said players requested separation.

“We’re finding from our players, this is the Stanley Cup playoffs and they are competing for the Stanley Cup, and it’s in their interest to be separated,” Mayer said during a Zoom media conference Friday. “The players’ feedback is their interest to be separated throughout. We’ll see how that evolves as the tournament moves on.”

No friends out there once the game starts.

Around the NHL

Bruins’ Brad Marchand expects ‘really sloppy hockey’ in NHL’s return – NBC Sports Boston

“I think it’s going to be really sloppy hockey, to be honest with you,” said Marchand. “We’ve been off for four or five months, whatever it’s been, and it takes more than a couple of weeks to get it all back and be at the top of your game. And the ice conditions are not going to be good. So I just don’t think it’s going to be great hockey.

Coming from anybody else this is decent analysis but coming from Marchand it’s excuse-making.

Corey Crawford joins Blackhawks after recovering from COVID-19 – Second City Hockey

“I’ve had to quarantine in my place here in Chicago for the last few weeks,” he said, adding he mostly experienced flu-like symptoms. “I’m excited to be back. I’m going to try to get into it as quick as possible and try to get game shape back.”