Per reports from Sportsnet, the NHL and NHLPA have discussed the loose possibility of resuming the 2019-2020 season in the summer, under a condition that games would be played at locations away from the team's current home arenas.
According to John Shannon and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, North Dakota and New Hampshire have been thrown out as possible locations for games to be held in.
"Let’s preface this with the fact that, at this time, we’re all just guessing at return-to-play timelines — but the NHL and NHLPA are beginning to spitball scenarios as to where remaining 2019-20 regular-season/playoff games could be held," wrote Friedman in a piece on Sunday. "One location that’s been mentioned: North Dakota."
Shannon followed up on Monday morning with a report of his own that Manchester, New Hampshire is now in the mix:
In addition to North Dakota, as @FriedgeHNIC reported over the weekend, also hearing Manchester, NH as a potential site for NHL games...IF, and its a big IF...If the NHL was to resume the schedule over the summer.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) April 6, 2020
It would be quite odd to see the Blue Jackets, let alone all NHL teams resuming play in arenas that don't belong to their home city, but it's better than no hockey at all, yes? Obviously, this is all incredibly tentative, and scheduling hotels, transportation and games would be a nightmare.
Maybe they'll add Alaska in for kicks?
