Sens' Melnyk, Caps' Leonsis confident NHL will return this season

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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is incredibly optimistic about the NHL's chances of completing the 2019-20 season during the coronavirus pandemic.

Melnyk said he's "100%" confident that the Stanley Cup will be awarded this season and that the 2020-21 campaign will be played in full, according to TSN's Bruce Garrioch.

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis agrees with Melnyk that the 2019-20 season will resume, telling CNN on Sunday that he believes play will return in hub cities without fans, according to The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this week that canceling the remainder of the 2019-20 season and playoffs is "not something I'm even contemplating."

The league is reportedly leaning toward jumping straight into the postseason upon its potential return. However, the NHL and NHLPA are also reportedly progressing toward a 24-team playoff format that would involve games being played beforehand in some manner.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has already made it clear that the league intends to avoid a scenario that would prevent a full season from taking place in 2020-21.

Some players, including Los Angeles Kings star Drew Doughty, have voiced their pessimism about the 2019-20 campaign resuming this summer.

While players and staff remain in self-quarantine, the league hopes to initiate Phase 2 of its return plan by late May. At that point, players would be permitted to return to club facilities to work out in small groups.

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