They’re taking baby steps, beginning the process back, but actual hockey talk is out there.
Now, in Detroit, it’s somewhat muted because the Red Wings were one of the seven teams who didn’t make the cut for the NHL’s return-to-play format, after the season was paused on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But there are 24 other teams out there that are ready to conclude this peculiar season with a best-of-five play-in series, followed by the usual four rounds of best-of-seven.
Players have begun to have informal skates. Training camp is slated to begin July 10.