The NHL updated all players on potential return date

The NHL continues to work tirelessly to keep everyone updated on their next steps of operations. The league has done a fantastic job relaying information through many avenues and most importantly they have kept their players informed. Today was no different.

The NHL has issued new directives to players: They are permitted to go home, to any country, and must stay in self-quarantine until the end of March once they get there.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 16, 2020

This is a signficant change from NHL's previous to return-to-play plan. As part of this new directive, it sounds like the league hopes to re-open camps in late April.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 16, 2020

It now appears the earliest the league could resume play would be around mid-May, and that’s if everything goes well in the attempts to corral COVID-19. | @PierreVLeBrunhttps://t.co/Yh7W7xXAfI

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) March 16, 2020

Based on how all the information was trending today, a suggested timeline would be late April for training camps, and mid-May for the resume of play. The league continues to mull all options for a playoff format. First things first, a decision needs to be made if the games resume at all.

The CDC's recent announcement of a recommended max of 50 people at any gathering around the US for the next 8 weeks put a huge damper in the chances of a season resuming with fans in the stands. The regular season that is. The NHL is going to have to be creative and whatever decision is made, and surely, it won't please everyone.

The players continue to find interesting ways to stay busy, while the media tries to sift through every avenue of information. We will do our best to keep you updated, informed and entertained. Maybe these will help.

Be safe and get your popcorn ready.