The Dallas Stars had six players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19, and the NHL expects the team not to open its 2020-21 season before January 19th.
Those who tested positive self-isolate and follow CDC and NHL protocols. The positive tests have forced Stele to close its training facilities and will remain closed for a few days, while additional daily tests and contact tracking are performed.
Under pre-season NHL policy, the names of those who tested positive were not released.
The NHL regular season is scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 13th. Dallas, the reigning Western Conference champions, were scheduled to be on the road for the first four games of the season, playing the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning in two sets until Jan. 19. Their home opener is scheduled for Jan. 22 against the Nashville Predators.
Dallas is one of four NHL teams intending to open the season with fans in attendance, with a 30% capacity of about 5,000 fans.
“The league is in the process of revising and revising the program of the regular season of the Stars, with the expectation that the team will not open its 2020-21 season earlier on Tuesday, January 19. The Stars organization has and will continue to follow all recommended recommendations aimed at protecting the health and safety of players, staff and the community at large, as established by the NHL, local, state and national agencies, “the NHL announced Friday.
The NHLPA and NHLPA anticipated the potential postponement of the games in developing the program of 56 games for this season, building in the room to compose them.