Edmonton still in running as hub city for NHL restart
Posted Jun 23, 2020 12:09 pm.
Last Updated Jun 23, 2020 12:10 pm.
EDMONTON – The NHL has begun winnowing its possible locations to resume the season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with Edmonton and two other Canadian cities still in the running.
The Blue Jackets were informed Monday that Columbus will not be one of the NHL’s hub cities. Columbus was one of 10 finalists, including seven in the U.S.
St, Paul Minnesota and Dallas are also out of the running along with Pittsburgh.
According to the Penguins Twitter page, the NHL informed the team Pittsburgh would not be selected as a hub city for the league’s Return To Play.
The @NHL has informed the Penguins that Pittsburgh will not be a hub city for the league’s Return to Play plan.
The Penguins submitted an aggressive proposal, with tremendous support from UPMC, PPG, and local business/political/union leaders.
Details: https://t.co/qJaPCAWJzN pic.twitter.com/g4HDD6j7fy
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 23, 2020
Las Vegas is now considered the U.S. favourite to host NHL playoff games with Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver still a possibility.
Canada’s federal government last week said it would allow the league to quarantine internally, making the Canadian cities a realistic possibility — if not the front-runners.
This is 'The Bachelor' for hockey fans. #yeg #oilers #nhl https://t.co/OoiEBBNpbI
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) June 23, 2020
The NHL has said it will select two hub cities — one for the Eastern Conference playoffs and one for the Western Conference.
The Stanley Cup Final or “final four” would likely be in one of the two cities.
-With files from The Canadian Press
