Players will not be forced to participate when NHL returns

Over the last few days, there have been several reports of players not being overly happy with the NHL's Return to Play plan that involved 24 teams taking part in a tournament to decide the 2019-20 Stanley Cup winner. A lot of the unrest deals with players feeling they haven't been given all of the pertinent information regarding the league's plan, which is set to unfold in two hub cities. According to NHL insider John Shannon, no player will be forced to take part if they aren't comfortable.

"Also expecting that any Phase3/4 agreement between the sides will include Players' ability to opt out of the summer tournament. They can just say “I'm not playing”, stated Shannon on Twitter. "Don't need a reason. Any player can opt out for any reason or no reason."

It's likely important for the National Hockey League Players Association that something like this be included in any agreement to return this summer. The union wouldn't want any player feeling like they are forced to take part if they are not comfortable doing so.

Both TSN and Sportsnet are reporting that the NHL and NHLPA are close to an agreement that will see players return to action this summer, extend the current collective bargaining agreement by another six year and allow players to participate in at least the 2022 Winter Olympics, if not beyond that.

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