Wayne Gretzky is optimistic about the NHL resuming during the summer
By baggedmilk
4 years agoIn a conversation with The Associated Press over the weekend, Wayne Gretzky said that he is hopeful that hockey will be able to come back for some kind of conclusion during the summer.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard a lot about how the NHL is trying to salvage the 2019-20 season, including ideas about a 24-team playoff format, games in August, pushing back the next season into November, and turning to neutral sites as central hubs for whatever comes next, but it’s still been hard to remain hopeful that we’ll actually see any forward progress. One guy, however, that does believe we’ll see hockey (and other sports) again soon is Edmonton Oilers legend and the league’s all-time leading scorer, Wayne Gretzky.
When asked about how he thinks things will play out in the coming months, Gretzky admitted that while there will have to be compromises that he still believes the league will be able to get back underway:
“I really believe somehow, someway, that the leadership in this country and in Canada, that we’re going to figure this out. And I really believe that we’ll see hockey and some sort of other sports in June, July and August, albeit in a different way, but I really see it coming to fruition. I think it’s going to happen.”
As good of a guess as anyone’s right now, Gretzky remains hopeful that the NHL, its players, and local governments will be able to find a solution that can bring the game we all love back to the ice. Even so, Gretzky acknowledged that hoping for the best does not necessarily mean that things will be able to happen.
“Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m too optimistic. I think I’m not. I hope that that’s a good sign for everyone that we’re moving on in life, in business, in sports. I really see in the next couple of months something good happening.”
Man, do I ever hope you’re right, Wayne. Gord knows we could use something to cheer for and feel good about right now.
GRETZKY VS OVI
Since we’re talking about Gretzky, I wanted to also throw in a quick reminder about the NHL 20 mini-series that he’ll be playing against Alex Ovechkin tomorrow night at 6pm on the Capitals’ Twitch channel. Over and above providing a little bit of content for anyone that’s interested, the point of the series is actually to raise money for both the Edmonton Food Bank and Washington’s Feed the Frontlines fund, both of which are aimed and benefitting those in need. While we still have no idea how many vids Gretzky plays these days, whether he’s been practicing for the showdown, or how he’ll fare in this best-of-three series against a known gamer, this should be a fun little battle between the two legends and all for a wonderful cause. Go Gretz!
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