NHL rejects latest return scenario: pushes for play to resume in NHL arenas!

It was reported earlier today that that the NHL had been looking at restarting season in July, with games being played at 4 or 5 neutral sites with limited or no fans. This was according to Florida Panthers president Matt Caldwell. 

It however didn’t take long for league insiders to deny the report and reveal that the NHL is actually focused on a completely different plan. 

As explained by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, who quoted Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in the process, “the NHL’s ‘neutral site’ (i.e. non-NHL arena) plan for summer restart is dead. No North Dakota. No New Hampshire. 

Plan never got out of the concept stages due to lack of accommodations, and challenges in staging and televising games.”

Wyshynski goes on to explain that the latest “push is for NHL to return to 2-4 of its arenas in areas where the COVID-19 outbreak has been managed and restrictions would allow it. Very much targeting completion of the regular season. No timetable. NHLPA needs to sign off on any of it.”

His colleague Emily Kaplan mentions that  Raleigh, Minnesota, Edmonton are being considered as locations where action could resume in NHL arenas. 

It is even believed that the Coyotes have expressed interest in Arizona serving as a host site for the continuation of the NHL season, per insider Craig Morgan.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has remained optimistic that a Stanley Cup will be awarded in 2020. The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to 2021 has extended a window for the NHL to play into late July and August.

Fans too remain hopeful…