Rangers Roundup: Lundqvist training, NHL restart update, and more on Lehtonen
The sun is shining and hope springs eternal as we continue to hear more news on how the NHL plans to return. Recently there was talk that the league would entertain playing games in home arenas. The rumor was that the players balked at the idea of being away from their families for months, but the logistics for travel and accommodations on that scale make it near impossible.
Four Arena Plan On
Late yesterday, Larry Brooks reported that the league’s plan to resume in 4 host cities was not only on but firm. The league needs to also control and work with the host State guidelines once play resumes. That would be near impossible under the suggestion to play in every NHL city. However, the biggest roadblock is testing, with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly saying the league will not circumvent or accept any special access to testing while if others can’t access them as well.
Testing, though, remains a major universal stumbling block to a reopening in any form as the league and union grapple with matters including availability and procurement of test kits, cost, reliability and speed of results. If the idea is to test every player every day — and every member of teams’ traveling parties plus league officials and attendant personnel necessary to stage the games — that would mean running a couple of thousand tests per day. It is believed that an effort is underway for the four major sports leagues — including MLB, the NFL and the NBA — to coordinate responses on these testing issues. All of these leagues face a potential backlash if tests are scarce among the general public and across more essential industries while funneled to pro sports entities.
Larry Brooks NYPOST
Rangers Loaded Prospect Pool is Why Lehtonen Looking Elsewhere
The Mikko Lehtonen Rangers speculation included some interesting Instagram activity, that showed him following the team’s official account. What isn’t clear is if the two sides had substantial discussions, but players and their agents are also very well aware that the team will be looking to develop and get both Nils Lundkvist and K’Andre Miller on defense. Add to that prospects Zac Jones and Matthew Robertson are considered future blue-liners in the next few years. A team source I spoke to last night, was extremely high on both and reiterated that as the team is currently constituted including its prospect pipeline that goalies and defensemen really won’t be signing with the Rangers.
Update:
Henrik Lundqvist Staying Sharp
Henrik Lundqvist posted videos on his Instagram on how he is keeping his hand eye coordination sharp to be ready for the restart of the season.
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