The Nashville Predators are one step closer to being able to play, and finish out the 2019-2020 season. The NHL just announced that on Monday, June 8, they will transition to Phase 2 of its Return to Play Plan, which allows the 24 teams in the playoffs to begin training in their training facilities.

“Clubs will be permitted to reopen their training facilities in their home city to allow players to participate in individualized training activities (off-ice and on-ice),” the NHL announced in a statement. “Players will be participating on a voluntary basis and will be scheduled to small groups (i.e., a maximum of six Players at any one time, plus a limited number of Club staff). The various measures set out in the Phase 2 Protocol are intended to provide players with a safe and controlled environment in which to resume their conditioning. Phase 2 is not a substitute for training camp.”

The statement went on to explain that preparations to begin Phase 2 can begin immediately. A date for when play can be resumed has yet to be announced, but previous speculations were that games would not begin until late July or August, at the earliest.

The Return to Play Plan was first announced in May, after the NHL suspended the season due to COVID-19. The plan allows the top 24 teams to continue to compete for the Stanley Cup, in a manner that keeps players, staff and fans safe.

“We are hopeful the Return To Play Plan will allow us to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup in a manner in which the health and safety of our players, on-ice officials, team staff and associated individuals involved are paramount,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Accordingly, an essential component of the Plan is a rigorous, regular schedule of testing. On the hockey side, the return-to-play format reflects the League’s extraordinary competitive balance, while honoring the tradition and integrity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“The Return To Play Plan is the result of weeks of constructive dialogue with the National Hockey League Players’ Association and we are grateful for their cooperation,” he continued. “We also thank our consulting health experts and the local, regional and national authorities who are helping steer us through a complex set of issues.”

The games will likely take place without fans in the stands. Updates will be posted on the Nashville Predators website as available.