While no official decisions have been made by NHL/NHLPA on Vegas or any hub city, a source involved in discussions says a decision will be made "over the next week or so." Sources on both sides also say despite reports of Toronto being a frontrunner, all 3 CDN cities still in mix
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Federal government open to working with NHL to have Canadian hub city
Photo credit: NHL.com
By Zach Laing
Jun 16, 2020, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 16, 2020, 15:20 EDT
It appears we could be one step closer to having hockey back in Canada as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would be open to working with the league on having a Canadian hub city.
Just yesterday I wrote about how TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said Vancouver would continue to be in the running as a hub city and the statement about the NHL from Trudeau Tuesday corroborated that.
“We have indicated that we are comfortable with moving forward on an NHL hub in one of three Canadian cities that are asking for it. Obviously, the decision has to be made by the NHL and the cities and provinces in the jurisdiction, but Canada is open to it as long as it is OK’d by the local health authorities.”
With the Canada-US border closed for non-essential travel since March 21st, a mandatory 14-day quarantine period has been put in place. That period has been one of the things holding back a decision on a second hub city to go along with what’s been reported to be Las Vegas.
According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, no official decision has been made on a second city and that all three Canadian cities — Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto — continue to be in the mix.
The NHL kicked off their second phase of the return to play plan last week that has seen players begin workouts in their cities. The NHL has targeted July 10th as the start of their third phase which would see training camps launch for the 24-team play-in format.
On Twitter: @zjlaing
Breaking News
- Canucks fall to dead last in NHL standings
- Canucks trade rumours: Flyers said no to a trade involving Owen Tippett
- Canucks: Quinn Hughes and Adam Foote address on-ice frustrations
- Scenes from practice: Höglander a full participant, Karlsson stays on Canucks’ top line
- Canucks injury updates: Höglander and Demko could return vs. Sabres next Thursday