Hockey fans missing the NHL were given a glimpse of hope earlier this week that the Stanley Cup could be handed out for the 2019-20 season albeit in August or later than that after agreement was made on a 24-team format.

While fans are excited at the chase for the Cup happening, the players are excited as well, but they have questions.  One of those players is Regina-born Jordan Eberle of the New York Islanders.

The former Regina Pat spoke with Michael Ball on 620 CKRM’s “Sportscage” Wednesday afternoon to discuss the return-to-play scenario that has been laid out and the protocols that have been made to keep everyone safe.  One of those protocols would be to play the games with no fans.  It is something Eberle actually approves of especially if you can add some canned noise to the arena where the games will be played.

“You know what, I’m all for that.” Eberle quipped. “If there is no noise in there, it might feel like a practice so this might make it a little more normal.

One thing Eberle will admit is that no team can really use injuries as an excuse now seeing players haven’t been on the ice for so long.

“It’s going to be so different, but there is still a lot that needs to be done before we can resume.” Eberle said. “For fans and players, it will be fun and everyone on our team will be back at full strength which changes the dynamic from where it was in March.  I look at what will happen as a new season as everyone is starting at zero. No one has played in a while, no one comes in on a long winning or losing streak.   It is going to be so different.”

Eberle, who has 4o points in 58 games this year, and his Islander teammates will play the Florida Panthers in a first-round, best-of-five Eastern Conference matchup.

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