Stars' Roman Polak doesn't want to return for NHL restart

When the NHL opens training camp sessions on July 10 in the latest phase of the league's return-to-play plan that includes a 24-team model to crown a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion amid the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas Stars defenseman Roman Polak may not be among those preparing for games.

As ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported, Polak, who flew back overseas once the league suspended play on March 12 because of the uncontrolled virus outbreak, told Czech website iSport that he is doing "everything I can" to avoid returning to the United States and rejoining the Stars.

Per a translation, Polak told iSport:

"I will not lie, it is not for me. The idea that I should jump on the ice after three weeks of training and start playing live. This is unimaginable at my age. Younger players may be able to do it, but I need two months before I get off the ground so I don't have to do anything else. It's weird to go back to it like this. Sometimes it occurs to me that there are an awful lot of questions. If it's really worth the money and effort. The bubble, as they call it, that we should only stay at the hotel, at the stadium, and slowly they shouldn't see each other. Even that costs a lot of money to start everything. Earnings would have to be worth it."

Polak turned 34 years old in April. He's set to join HC Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga once his NHL contract expires following the completed 2019-20 campaign. 

Dallas general manager Jim Nill told Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News: "We can’t make someone come back under their wishes. If anyone wants to stay home, that is their decision. His contract expires at the end of this season, so no issues there."

Polak featured for the Stars in 41 of 69 games before the league halted play. While he isn't a starter for Dallas, his absence would affect the club's depth during a period where injuries are likely because players won't have competed in meaningful games for roughly 3.5 months when contests resume.