Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene doesn't seem fond of the NHL's attempt at resuming play. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Predators' Matt Duchene slams 'COVID Cup' NHL playoff format

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/19/20

Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene isn't a fan of a shortened NHL season or an altered playoff tournament amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As Sportsnet's Mike Johnston reported, the 29-year-old spoke about the state of the league and the 2019-20 campaign that's been suspended since March 12 due to the virus outbreak during an appearance on "Hockey Central":

“First of all, it needs to be safe,” Duchene said. “For the players, the coaches, the training staff. Everything. It needs to be safe. We can’t have any risk of anybody getting this thing and I think that’s going to be our ultimate biggest hurdle. … We can’t put sports and the business of sports, the revenue and all that, above that.”

Duchene added that, if at all possible, he'd prefer for the league to finish an 82-game regular season and then hold a standard Stanley Cup Playoff tournament that includes best-of-seven series.

"I just think you gotta keep as much integrity as possible," he said. "You don’t want to have a COVID Cup and I’m worried that if we force this thing and try and it’s a little gimmicky and it’s not quite right, whoever wins the Cup is gonna have people try to take it away from them for their whole lives and guys don’t deserve that. I feel very passionately about this part of things."

Throughout May, reports have surfaced that the league could adopt a 24-team model that includes a brief round-robin format ahead of a postseason. The NHL is also reportedly considering temporary hub cities for teams to limit travel and allow for a large number of games to finish as quickly as possible. The NHL and NHL Players' Association haven't reached an agreement for the completion of the season.

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