Rumor: Dates for training camp set as players begin to quaratine.

Hockey fans have been starved for content in recent weeks at a time of the year where they are normally in the throws of the early days of the regular season, often one of the most exciting times to be a hockey fan given that everyone wants to see how the modifications made to their favorite team will play out.

The pandemic, and a financial dispute between the players and owners as a result of that pandemic, have however put the upcoming National Hockey League season on hold and according to some reports perhaps even in jeopardy. It has been largely bad news on that front over the last few weeks, but I am happy to report that on Monday morning we've got what is starting to look like very good news for hockey fans.

Now to be clear nothing official has come from either the NHL or the National Hockey League Players Association, but the behavior of several NHL players certainly points to the fact that they believe they will be playing sooner rather than later. The latest on this front comes from Ottawa Senators insider Bruce Garrioch, who just earlier today reported that no less than 7 players for the Ottawa Senators have already started to quarantine in Ottawa including Colin White, Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk, Joey Daccord, Nikita Zaitsev, Austin Watson and Marcus Hogberg.

There are several #Sens players doing their 14-day quarantine in Ottawa _ including Colin White, Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk, Joey Daccord, Nikita Zaitsev, Austin Watson and Marcus Hogberg. There may be more and Hogberg is either close to or has completed his.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 7, 2020

There may also be a very good reason that the Senators are a little early on this front as well. Podcast host Joshua Marshall is reporting that the Senators, and the 6 other teams who were not included in the NHL's playoff bubble, are set to begin training camp on December 27th. This will be a full week before the remaining teams kick off their training camp on January 2nd, with the plan being to kick off the season on January 15th.

I’m also told the players on the 7 teams that didn’t play in the RTP will report to training camp on December 27 for physicals & the other teams will report on January 2nd. The 7 teams will have a 3 week training camp as the other 24 teams will have a 2 week camp. #NHL
— Joshua Marshall (@JMarshyBosco93) December 6, 2020

Marshall also reports that Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid arrived in Edmonton over the weekend, following a notice sent out to players to travel back to their home cities.

Im told a number of #NHL players have been informed to travel back to their home cities, #Oilers Captain Connor McDavid got into Edmonton last night. Many others are set to follow early this week as previously reported by the Hockey Insiders for a potential January 15th start.
— Joshua Marshall (@JMarshyBosco93) December 6, 2020

That's not all however. TSN's Salim Valji reports a similar scenario taking place with the Calgary Flames. Valji specifically cites Jacob Markstrom as one of the players that was expected to arrive over the weekend, once again as a result of players, in this case European players, receiving notice to head back to their homes cities.

Calgary Flames news - a group of plyrs from Europe, incl free agent signing Jacob Markström, are expected to arrive in the city on Sunday & Monday, joining the 7 Flames already here.

After quarantining, they'll begin informally skating in small groups @ the Saddledome.
— Salim Nadim Valji (@salimvalji) December 6, 2020

It sounds like hockey is back, if not officially just yet.