NHL Ponders Neutral Site, Empty Arena Games When and If Season Resumes

The National Hockey League is still hopeful of completing the 2019-20 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. The season went on hold March 12th due to Corona-19; the regular season was to have been completed April 4th.

While multiple scenarios are being considered, one that is being looked at now is for the remaining regular season games to be played at neutral locations. Among the locations mentioned are Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Manchester, New Hampshire. The University of North Dakota’s hockey team plays at Ralph Eggelstad arena in Grand Forks; there are plenty of other college rinks around that could be used, as long as the ice sheets are NHL sized (some are Olympic sized, which are different dimensions). If a neutral site plan was adapted, the next question would be if fans would be allowed in the stands. That will hinge more on what public health officials say, but the league is considering playing in front of no fans. Of course, the games could still be televised.

Then there is the question of the structure of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Will the playoffs be shortened, either by reducing the number of teams in the post season or the length of the playoff series? Much of that would hinge on when the playoffs would start. The NHL is reportedly looking at arena availability into August and would consider delaying the start of the 2020-21 season to get this season and playoffs in.

While both the players and the league want to finish the season, all of the discussions are just that–discussions of various options and scenarios in the event the season can resume. The biggest variable in the equation is when the pandemic is under control enough to safely allow even empty arena games to be played without risking the health of the players, officials, and the people who maintain the arenas.

Since sports channels and web sites are filling the time with old broadcasts and highlights of the past, here’s video of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2015 Stanley Cup winning season: