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NHL shoots down neutral site games, considering picking one city per division to host games

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

By Zach Laing

Apr 22, 2020, 16:23 EDTUpdated: Apr 22, 2020, 16:44 EDT

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The thought of hosting NHL games in a neutral site arena has gone to the wayside.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman reported the idea of neutral site games has been shot down as the league looks at other options.

One of those options, Friedman reported, is hosting games in one city per division. This, from his report:

The neutral-sites idea looks like a no-go.
Instead, we’re looking at one NHL city per division to resume the season. Teams from that division would be brought to this location. And, it sounds like the plan is to complete the regular season — if possible. One idea, a triple-header per day at each location to get it done in three weeks. The players have to agree.
Looking at the CDC and Canadian information, I could see places like Edmonton, Minnesota and Raleigh being options if the league and the respective governments were willing.

The idea of hosting these neutral site games was a bit of a stretch in the first place. Logistically speaking, there was a lot the league would need to have in place for things to work.

From TV cameras and schedule to infrastructure needs in arena, to housing players and ensuring nobody gets sick, there was a lot for the league to do.

As they have from the beginning, the NHL is clearly trying to look at any and every option when it comes to getting hockey back in front of its fans.

On Twitter: @zjlaing