NHL Rumors: Gary Bettman Been Keeping In Touch With Dr. Fauci About Season

It’s unclear how the NHL will look once the 2020-21 season begins. But it appears Gary Bettman consulted Dr. Anthony Fauci for some help.

Of course, the NHL had a successful postseason in the Toronto and Edmonton bubble cities after a months-long pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bettman previously had said the season is a “work in progress” and the health and safety of everyone involved is the top priority.

Dr. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reportedly has been talking to the NHL commissioner throughout the course of the pandemic, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli.

Here’s what he said Tuesday on “Insider Trading:”

“I’m told that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has sought the counsel of Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health over the course of this pandemic, and one of the recommendations that Dr. Fauci had made to Gary Bettman over the last number of weeks was, ‘If you want to pull this off and start the NHL season safely, the best way to do that would be in hubs.”

Given the success the playoffs had, it’s no surprise this was a suggestion.

It’s still unknown just when the puck will drop on the new season, but it’s clear the league and the NHLPA have a lot of work to do in order to make it a successful year.