Penguins

How hub cities and NHL’s ‘family dynamics’ could impact a reboot

Tim Benz
By Tim Benz
2 Min Read June 17, 2020 | 6 years Ago
Go Ad-Free today

From babies to bears.

That’s what you get in this week’s “Breakfast With Benz” hockey podcast. Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network joins me to talk about the latest hurdle to the hockey reboot.

Offspring.

Not the band. The newborns.

According to ESPN, numerous hockey players are dealing with the conflict of deciding whether or not to play hockey in the quarantine situation of the hub cities or remain home for the birth of their children.

I’ve never been so upfront about an opinion in my life: I … don’t … care.

Wanna stay home to support your partner while your child is being born? Great. Do it.

Feel the need to blow it off, or rush back to hockey and insert yourself into a lockdown situation? That’s your decision.

I can honestly say no one should judge either way. No one should fault either call. And it’s no one’s business.

Just let those players make those individual decisions. And let’s not martyr them. In either Direction.

Major League Baseball played every year through World War II. Ted Williams took three seasons off to serve.

None of these players are exactly Ted Williams on skates. And coronavirus ain’t exactly World War II.

Despite what “Team #StayAtHome” may tell you.

The point is, pro sports leagues can play through tough circumstances. And not every player is entitled to have the league wait for them.

Move on. Lace up. Play. Or don’t. Whatever. Drop the puck.

Brian and I also talk about the hub city drama, the future of the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh, and Jason Botterill’s dismissal in Buffalo.

Plus, we talk about the most pressing issues in Pittsburgh these days: the Highland Park bear and renegade peacocks at the zoo.

Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer talk about the latest hurdle to the hockey reboot - babies

Share

Tags:

About the Writers

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

Sports and Partner News

Push Notifications

Get news alerts first, right in your browser.

Enable Notifications

Content you may have missed

Enjoy TribLIVE, Uninterrupted.

Support our journalism and get an ad-free experience on all your devices.

  • TribLIVE AdFree Monthly

    • Unlimited ad-free articles
    • Pay just $4.99 for your first month
  • TribLIVE AdFree Annually BEST VALUE

    • Unlimited ad-free articles
    • Billed annually, $49.99 for the first year
    • Save 50% on your first year
Get Ad-Free Access Now View other subscription options