Perhaps a sign that the original restart timetables were overly optimistic after the NHL initially shut down its operations amid the coronavirus outbreak, the league has issued clearance to players wishing to return to their homes — no matter their native country — in order to continue to self-isolate with families under preferred or more ideal conditions.
As of roughly 48 hours before the advisory, the NHL had reportedly not made a decision on player movement, and instructed its employees to wait on crossing any borders. It’s no guarantee, of course, that certain players will find the means to return home as countries up their security measures in an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but the option has been granted.