NHL down to eight or nine potential sites for conclusion of 2019-20 season

The National Hockey League may be inching toward the completion of the 2019-20 season that was suspended on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Last Thursday, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the NHL had narrowed its list of potential host sites for clubs and games. On Monday afternoon, ESPN's Emily Kaplan wrote that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told the Leaders Week sports business conference the league was down to eight or nine possible markets, and that approximately 15 cities had reached out about being temporary hockey hubs. 

Both LeBrun and Kaplan confirmed that Las Vegas, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, and Minnesota are all under consideration.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association haven't agreed to terms for the resolution of the season. 

"We have been working very hard since we took the pause on March 12 to make sure that whatever the timing is, whatever the sequencing is, whatever physical ability we have in terms of locations to play, that we're in a position to execute any or all of those options," Bettman said.

"There is still a great deal of uncertainty."

As with leagues such as the NBA and MLS that could call Florida home this summer, the NHL requires hotel space for players and personnel, proper testing protocol for all involved with completing games and producing broadcasts, and playing venues. 

Over the weekend, LeBrun reported that the NHL could adopt a 24-team playoff format to finish the season. LeBrun also added that not all players are enthusiastic about returning to their teams during the uncontrolled virus outbreak. 

The 24-team model could include a round-robin format that precedes a postseason tournament. It's not known if any of the teams at or near the top of the standings would accept a version of the Stanley Cup Playoffs that includes potential one-and-done situations.