Well when they put boards up around the basketball court then I’ll start thinking about basketball being even remotely close to hockey in degree of difficulty. Mind you I can’t see many retired basketball players coming back and being able to handle 48 minute game. But it’s still not on the same level as hockey.

And when it comes to hockey players recently retired coming back and playing all you have to do is look at current players who are coming off the injury list. They don’t tend to be far away from game shape but they still have to practice for a week just to get ready before they can even consider coming back. Same with unsigned free agents. They may be skating by themselves but they won’t be close to game shape.