Report: NHL expanding Phase 2 groups to 12 players

The NHL is expanding Phase 2 groups from six to 12 skaters for on-ice workouts beginning Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Voluntary on- and off-ice workouts, known as Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan, were permitted to begin on June 8. Phase 3 of the plan features mandatory training camps for all 24 teams that qualified for the expanded playoff field, beginning July 10.

The NHL reportedly doesn't plan to push back the start date for training camps despite a recent increase in positive COVID-19 tests around the league.

The Tampa Bay Lightning shut down team facilities on Friday after three players and additional staff tested positive. The league announced later Friday that it's had 11 positive tests out of 200 since Phase 2 began.

The NHL and players' association still need to finalize agreements on the return-to-play plan. The biggest hurdle remains finding two viable hub cities to host the teams in two groups of 12. The list of those possible cities has reportedly been cut to six.

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