Adrian Dater
Monday is the day NHL players can voluntarily, officially, return to their team’s practice rinks to begin on- and off-ice workouts, as part of the Phase 2 process in Return to Play. The Avalanche Phase 2 process will begin a bit later than many other teams, however.
While some teams, like the New York Islanders and Rangers, will have players skating on Monday as part of their Phase 2, the Avs will not start their Phase 2 until later in the week. It’s unclear as to why the Avs will start a bit later, but it is what it is.
This is how the league termed its outline for the Phase 2 process:
Training facilities League-wide, will be permitted reopen their doors under unique conditions as of Monday. Players will be able to access the facilities for individual on- and off-ice training sessions on a voluntary basis. A maximum of 6 players can be present at any time, in order to provide them with a safe environment for working out. The details regarding Phase 3 and the start of training camps remain under negotiation between the NHL and NHLPA.
As I noted before, consider these on-ice sessions of Avalanche Phase 2 a variation of the off-season “Captain’s Skates.” Players are not required to be there. They will not be under the direct supervision of team officials, including coaches. This is for them to get back on the ice, though, and start working out with teammates.
We still don’t have an official starting date yet for Phase 3, which would be formal training camps. The league has said they cannot start any earlier than July 10.
Unfortunately, the area around the Avalanche Phase 2 team/players skating are off-limits to fans and the media, per league/NHLPA agreement. I bet some media will try to get video or something from them, but a word of warning: that would give the team or the league cause to discontinue your credential. Be careful. We’re still in a global pandemic, remember.