NHL not planning on quarantining players during training camps

The NHL is not planning on putting teams in quarantined "bubbles" when training camps open July 10, deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Thursday, according to The Canadian Press.

Players are instead being told to stay home when not at their respective rinks. The hope is adequate testing and health protocols will prevent any outbreaks before players travel to the league's two hub cities for the resumption of play in late July.

The NHL hasn't determined its two hub cities yet, but a decision could come as soon as Friday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.

The opening of training camps represents Phase 3 of the league's return-to-play plan. Phase 2 - which allows for voluntary on- and off-ice workouts at team facilities for groups of up to six players - is ongoing. Groups were recently expanded from a maximum of six on-ice skaters to 12.

The Tampa Bay Lightning temporarily shut down their facilities amid Phase 2 last week after three unnamed players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Shortly after, the NHL announced that 11 players had tested positive since the voluntary workouts began.

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