Vancouver could be one of two hub cities to host the National Hockey League when it hopes to come back later this summer.
Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league plans to play games in two hub cities – one each for teams in the Eastern and Western Conference.
Joining Vancouver as one of ten cities being considered to host games are Edmonton and Toronto, with Bettman saying the NHL will announce the hub cities and when games will start at a later date.
“Things are changing rapidly, and when we decide on location we want it to be the best available information at the time,” he said, anticipating the playoffs to go into the fall.
The 24-team plan will see the top-four teams in each Eastern and Western Conference play separate mini round-robin tournaments to determine seeding for the playoffs. The other eight teams in each conference will play a best-of-five ‘play-in’ qualifying series.
That plan would see the seventh seeded Canucks play the tenth seeded Minnesota Wild in order to make the playoffs.
Speaking during her COVID-19 press conference on Tuesday, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry expressed her support for Vancouver hosting games, but said the province will not bending the rules in any way that would put what has been achieved here in B.C. at risk.
Bettman says the first and second round playoff match-ups could be either best-of-five or best-of-seven series, but the conference finals and Stanley Cup final will be best-of-seven series.
The announcement today is a major step in the league’s bid to resume the season, which was suspended March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still does not guarantee a return to action as there is a lot of work still to be done, including getting the all-clear from government and health officials before play can resume.
Bettman talked about a four phased approach as the leagues charts out its return to play plan, with Phase 1 – the shutting down of play and the self-quarantine of players and officials having kicked in in March. The hope is to move to Phase 2 in early-June.
During Phase 2, players will have the option of returning to NHL training facilities for small-group informal workouts. It is to prepare for the start of training camp, which is Phase 3, which will also see coaches and larger groups return to the ice. Bettman confirmed on Tuesday that training camp won’t happen until at least July 1.
The fourth and final phase will see the resumption of games, with the hope that play will resume in July, although no formal dates have been established.
The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893 – with the exception of 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak, and 2005 when a lockout cancelled the entire season.
Proposed Match-ups:
Eastern Conference
Top Four Teams – Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, and Philadelphia
Other Match-ups – No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 Montreal, No. 6 Carolina vs. No. 11 New York Rangers, No. 7 New York Islanders vs. No. 10 Florida, and No. 8 Toronto vs. No. 9 Columbus
Western Conference
Top Four Teams – St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas, and Dallas
Other Match-ups – No. 5 Edmonton vs. No. 12 Chicago, No. 6 Nashville vs. No. 11 Arizona, No. 7 Vancouver vs. No. 10 Minnesota, and No. 8 Calgary vs. No. 9 Winnipeg
