The Dallas Stars had six players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19, and the NHL expects the team not to open its 2020-21 season before January 19th.
Those who have tested positive are self-isolating and follow CDC and NHL protocols. The positive tests have forced the Stars to close their training facilities, and they will remain closed for several days while further daily testing and contact detection is done.
According to the NHL policy in the preseason, the names of those who tested positive were not disclosed.
The NHL regular season would begin on Wednesday, January 13th. Dallas, the reigning champion of the Western Conference, would be on track after the first four games of the season, playing the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning twice. matches will run until January 19th. Their home game is scheduled for Jan. 22 against the Nashville Predators.
Dallas is one of four NHL teams planning to open the season with fans in attendance, with a capacity of 30% of about 5,000 fans.
“The league is reviewing and revising the scheme for the Stars ‘normal season with the expectation that the team will not open its 2020-21 season earlier than Tuesday, January 19. The Stars’ organization has, and will, continue to follow all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its players, staff and the community at large, as established by the NHL, local, state and national agencies, ‘the NHL said on Friday announced.
The NHL and the NHLPA have been expecting the possible postponement of games in preparation for the 56-game schedule for this season to build in the room to make it up.