The NHL and NHLPA moved up their return-to-play meeting from tomorrow to this afternoon. No new information has been released, but the two sides continue to try and hammer away at the framework of an agreement. Pierre Le Brun reports that 12 teams are in the mix for consideration if games resume, depending on if an agreement can be made along with the pandemic not taking a turn for the worse.
Having said all that, there is certainly a focus right now between NHL/NHLPA to iron out all these issues. That's why they keep meeting. If all goes well, perhaps agreement by the end of the month on end-of-season format, rules, protocols, etc... if all goes well...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2020
Great insight from @PierreVLeBrun and the TSN crew on Insider Trading. Up to 12 NHL cities under consideration. Not mentioned but I have heard Arizona and Carolina also. pic.twitter.com/aTyO0Nk454
— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) April 23, 2020
If Arizona is an option, that dovetails nicely to the information reported from Bob Nightengale. Arizona's stay-at-home order expiring could be a test case to see how the return to sports impacts the broader community, making that city a possible consideration as a hub. Ryan Rishaug of TSN reports that Edmonton is making a presentation to be one of the team's considered as one of the hub cities for the NHL while we have also heard rumors of Toronto and Montreal, both covered on the podcast today.
The Arizona stay-at-home order expires Friday; gyms, sports leagues now open for business. https://t.co/hIJtUCjyUh via @azcentral
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) May 12, 2020
LeBrun interview with Bill Daly following today's meeting:
Bill Daly provides an update on NHL’s progress toward resuming season, via @PierreVLeBrun. https://t.co/vviRHFgBH4
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) May 13, 2020
Rishaug tweeted yesterday some possible ways to minimize the risk during play after a discussion with an infectious disease specialist. Many - if not all - are a radical departure from the norm, but as we have seen, nothing may be normal for a while. My question to you is: are any of these deal breakers in terms of resuming play and/or is even entertaining concepts such as these enough for you to say just cancel the season?
Blue-Skying some potential tweaks to the game with a medical expert to allow play during a pandemic. See below for a few ideas and a quote from Bill Daly on the NHL's willingness to entertain potential changes. pic.twitter.com/Stdrl8gvZV
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 11, 2020