NHL reportedly enters roster freeze, AHL postpones season until May

The NHL entered a roster freeze at 5 p.m. ET Monday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Teams have been informed that the four-recall rule regularly implemented after the trade deadline will continue to apply if the season resumes, Johnston added.

The AHL, meanwhile, announced Monday it has advised its teams that the indefinite suspension of games will not be lifted before May. All AHL players are being recommended to return to their home facilities.

Some NHL clubs have continued to make roster moves during the pause; the Anaheim Ducks waived forward Kiefer Sherwood on Sunday. Sherwood cleared waivers Monday.

News of the roster freeze follows the league's Monday announcement that play is unlikely to resume in the coming weeks. It could be about 45 days until the league ramps up hockey activities for teams. The NHL also announced that players can now leave their respective clubs' cities to return home if they wish, and must self-quarantine until at least March 27.

Some players have started to make plans to return to their home countries. The Vancouver Canucks' Jacob Markstrom and Elias Pettersson, for example, are expected to return to Sweden, according to Postmedia's Ben Kuzma.

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