ICY PROPOSITION: A return to action might mean that NHL players have to isolate from their families for months

Young and single, Thatcher Demko has plenty of time on his hands, with little to do. Quarantining to play hockey wouldn't be a problem for the Vancouver Canucks goalie.

"I don't have too many roots," the 24-year-old said. "I've been living pretty much out of my car for the most part for the last six, seven years just going from place to place."

Older players disagree.

Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk doesn't think players with children would be interested in [...]

Young and single, Thatcher Demko has plenty of time on his hands, with little to do. Quarantining to play hockey wouldn't be a problem for the Vancouver Canucks goalie.

"I don't have too many roots," the 24-year-old said. "I've been living pretty much out of my car for the most part for the last six, seven years just going from place to place."

Older players disagree.

Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk doesn't think players with children would be interested in spending lengthy stretches away from their loved ones amid the pandemic. And neither does Boston's Tuukka Rask, who bluntly said: "It doesn't feel right to take guys away from their families for many, many months at a time."

It's a reality players might have to face for the NHL to resume play, something Toronto's Kyle Clifford calls a "hot topic" among players. While the NHL and its players' union are discussing a 24-team playoff format to resume the season, figuring out how to incorporate family time in a potential quarantine environment is one of many hurdles to clear.

"For sure that's a big thing," said Philadelphia forward James van Riemsdyk, one of the players on the Return to Play committee and a new father. "No one wants to be away from their family for months on end, and everyone is aware of that with who's on this committee."

From Dubnyk and Rask in the NHL to Major League Baseball players Mike Trout and Ryan Zimmerman, pro athletes have voiced concerns about spending significant time away from family. When baseball was considering a containment bubble in Arizona to play, Zimmerman — whose wife is due to give birth to the couple's third child in June — said he wouldn't accept not seeing them for four or five months.

"I can tell you right now that's not going to happen," Zimmerman said. "Not many people have to go through that, nor should they."

The NHL, like the NBA, does not face the challenge of trying to complete an entire season. But even an abbreviated return calls for coordinating 600-plus players at different stages of their personal lives.

"I think it'd be easier for guys without families or single guys to kind of go on quarantine and enjoy that process as much as you can," Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. "But it would be tough being a father myself. It would be tough to live through FaceTime in that situation. But you have to weigh the pros and cons on each side and what's important for you and your family."

The league was exploring various locations that could host games, including Edmonton, Columbus and Las Vegas. They could be big enough for players to bring family members with them, or the format might allow for a break in the schedule for teams that advance deep into the playoffs.

"You've got to kind of create this bubble, but if families are coming in and out, then I don't know," said Carolina's Jordan Martinook, who has a year-old son he doesn't want to be away from for more than a month at a time. "That kind of compromises the bubble. I don't know if they would say your family's got to be with you from day one the whole time or they can't come if you're in the bubble."

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said league officials are "sensitive to the issue and are focused on finding a solution that works for the players."

New Jersey's Connor Carrick, whose Devils might be off until the start of next season, said he trusts NHLPA executive director Don Fehr and his staff to make a decision in the best interest of as many players as possible.

The next step

The league, which paused its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo on Monday saying it is targeting early next month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

“It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last,” the statement read. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club's markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

If the Phase 2 plan gets the green light, on-ice sessions will be noncontact and involve up to six players, who will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities, and when not able to physically distance.

“Players are not required to wear face coverings when they are exercising or on the ice,” the memo said.