The NHLPA extended its deadline for players to decide on what to do with their final 2019-20 season paychecks. It was originally Tuesday, but an Executive Board call on Wednesday will discuss the matter further. Players are debating whether to put all or some of their April 15 checks into escrow to begin addressing the revenue shortfall in this "paused" season. Many are in favor of collecting it now and worrying about higher escrow next season. NHL owners and players split revenues 50/50.
The NY Rangers are investigating how a Zoom fan Q&A with prospect K'Andre Miller was infiltrated by repeated racial slurs on Friday. The Rangers said “a vile individual hijacked the chat to post racial slurs, which we disabled as soon as possible. We were incredibly appalled by this behavior, which has no place online, on the ice, or anywhere.” The NHL condemned it as well, saying “the person who committed this despicable act is in no way an NHL fan and is not welcome in the hockey community.”
The NHLPA will decide by Tuesday whether to contribute all, part or none of the players’ final 2019-20 paycheck into escrow, in preparation for the NHL’s revenue shortfall this season. Revenues are split 50/50 between players and owners; escrow is withheld to make up any deficit. The impact of COVID-19 on NHL revenues could impact player escrow withholdings for multiple seasons. Players are debating this proactive move vs. collecting their last check during a season “pause” of undecided length.