Report: Vancouver out of the running as NHL hub city

The NHL may be down to five choices for the two hub cities that will host the league's 24-team model to crown a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, Global's Richard Zussman reported that the NHL removed Vancouver from its list of candidates because of concerns voiced by health officials in British Colombia.

TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun has suggested the league has already selected Las Vegas as one bubble site, while TSN's Ryan Rishaug added that Toronto and Edmonton remain favorites to be named the second host city for resuming the season.

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh and Dallas joined Columbus and Minnesota among cities informed they would not serve as hub sites. Las Vegas, Edmonton, Toronto, Los Angeles and Chicago remain in the mix.

Authorities have not yet cleared the Toronto Blue Jays to play home games at Rogers Centre when the MLB season gets underway in July due to the uncontrolled virus outbreak.

Meanwhile, TSN reported Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw signed off on Edmonton's protocols to welcome NHL personnel this summer.

NHL training camps open on July 10.