NHL's Bill Daly: Mumps virus won't 'force us to shut down'

The NHL reportedly issued a league-wide memo on Tuesday, outlining and reinforcing the standard procedure for dealing with and preventing the spread of the mumps virus.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN.com's Katie Strang that the memo was sent as a follow-up to a similar one in November.

"I think it was far more specific is what I'd say," Daly said. 

"We drilled down to specific expectations in terms of putting someone in charge at the club level to make sure things are getting handled appropriately. The basis of information hasn't changed. Everyone knows what the disease is, how it is transmitted and the steps that need to be taken to minimize outbreak."

Daily said it was done to ensure full awareness of the procedures.

"As much as anything else, it's consciousness-raising with respect to what the practices are, people taking extra precautions and being extra careful."

Fifteen players, including reigning Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby, have been diagnosed with the mumps. Three more Pittsburgh Penguins players are being tested for the virus as a precaution.

The deputy commissioner said despite the media coverage, the league isn't in dire straits.

"The thing I take the most comfort in is that, of most experts in the area here - and we've talked to a lot - no one is as concerned as the media is," Daly said. "It's not this scourge that's going to end things for the league or force us to shut down."