Confirmed with Link: Candidate Host Cities, Pittsburgh Included

[Empoleon8771]

I feel like the 2 best options for host cities are Edmonton and Vegas, but I can't see the NHL going with 2 Western cities. I think Columbus and Vegas will ultimately be the two cities, although I think Toronto and Edmonton also make a fair amount of sense.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I feel like the 2 best options for host cities are Edmonton and Vegas, but I can't see the NHL going with 2 Western cities. I think Columbus and Vegas will ultimately be the two cities, although I think Toronto and Edmonton also make a fair amount of sense.

Bettman actually said in a separate interview that they aren't hung up on East v West for host cities. They will pick the 2 best candidates, wherever those cities may be, and adjust the game start times accordingly. There's no in person fan work schedules to accommodate, and the players can adjust their internal clocks to whatever the game start times are.

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

I feel like the 2 best options for host cities are Edmonton and Vegas, but I can't see the NHL going with 2 Western cities. I think Columbus and Vegas will ultimately be the two cities, although I think Toronto and Edmonton also make a fair amount of sense.

Vegas and Dallas are my picks, with Cbus right behind

 

[Nakawick]

My prediction is a Pens vs Oilers in the finals with some fans being allowed in each arena.

 

[DesertPenguin]

My prediction is a Pens vs Oilers in the finals with some fans being allowed in each arena.

Yeah my dream, unrealistic scenario is that they play out the tournaments in the host cities, but then for the cup finals they do a normal best of 7, alternating between the two home venues, and a 1/3 capacity is allowed to attend.

My expectation: With all the states opening up business, Covid-19 is going to spike again and we won't finish the playoffs, if we even start it at all.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think this opens up Pittsburgh as a legitimate option.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

Three week training camp means the “playoffs” start August 1st at earliest.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Three week training camp means the “playoffs” start August 1st at earliest.

Idk why it's going to take hockey so long to start when leagues like the Premier League or Bundesliga start up in like 3 weeks.

 

[wheelz87]

5 month gap between games then? Lol yeaaaa this keeps getting better

 

[Jaded-Fan]

So basically the playoffs will end and the puck will drop on the next season the next day?

 

[mrzeigler]

I don't like Vegas as a choice because of the insane interview that city's mayor gave Anderson Cooper a few weeks ago and that that city attracts so many visitors. I would be nervous that local officials would be willing to compromise on public-health issues to jumpstart the economy and sell the "Vegas is back!" narrative.

If I were in charge, I would seriously consider these two scenarios

• Toronto & Los Angeles (dark horse: Minneapolis)
• Edmonton (dark horse: Vancouver) & Columbus/Pittsburgh

In each, Canada gets a host city, the difference in times zones make it easier for TV scheduling, and each of the cities have handled public-health concerns relatively well. Given that games will be played in August, heat/ice quality might hurt LA's chances and could help EDM's.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Do Kansas City.

 

[Mario_is_BACK!!]

If the Pens win the Cup in Kansas City...

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Not like they ever won it IN Pittsburgh.

 

[The Old Master]

So basically the playoffs will end and the puck will drop on the next season the next day?

they will need to keep the parade very short

 

[66-30-33]

Why do they need 2 cities? why not 4?

2 East

2 West

Or did they change it? not paid attention other then 2 cities.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Why do they need 2 cities? why not 4?

2 East

2 West

Or did they change it? not paid attention other then 2 cities.

Fewer cities limits travel. Which limits Rona exposure.

 

[ChrisKuuuunitz]

just do what the UFC is doing, make a hockey island. problem solved.

 

[66-30-33]

Fewer cities limits travel. Which limits Rona exposure.

Split them up 4 ways, more games played. Maybe have some East side teams play on the West side times so example NY teams play in the PST time zone at 7pm PST.

 

[mpp9]

Why is this being pushed to July before even a training camp starts?

Flu season and a very possible 2nd wave of COVID will be in full swing by the time the Cup Final starts.

I'd push to get this going sooner than later if I'm the NHL.

 

[Shrimper]

So basically the playoffs will end and the puck will drop on the next season the next day?

If we are getting games until August, which is ridiculous, then next season won't start until December. Don't see why games can't start mid-July

 

[Jaded-Fan]

If we are getting games until August, which is ridiculous, then next season won't start until December. Don't see why games can't start mid-July

That would make sense if they want any chance of attended games.

In related news the Pens are giving a 15 percent discount on season ticket holder renewals and 25 percent if you apply the refunded amount for games lost last year toward next year.

But I spoke to a representative of the Pens and he said that the details are up in the air but the discount will be in the form of a credit placed on a card good for concessions or extra tickets. That would be thousands of dollars for most.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

The AHL rep I talked to about tickets said that they believe their season will start in January.

Should I ever go back to the local bar here, I just found out that the Pens's lead lawyer is somewhat a regular. Maybe I could chat him up for some information haha.

 

[NMK11]

So basically the playoffs will end and the puck will drop on the next season the next day?

This is what doesn't make sense to me. What's the point of squeezing in these games if it then means delaying next season? At this point if practices aren't going to even start until July I say just scrap this season and restart next year. Either that or greatly reduce the playoffs to the top 8 teams in each conference with shorter rounds (3-5 until the finals)

 

[Ugene Magic]

This is what doesn't make sense to me. What's the point of squeezing in these games if it then means delaying next season? At this point if practices aren't going to even start until July I say just scrap this season and restart next year. Either that or greatly reduce the playoffs to the top 8 teams in each conference with shorter rounds (3-5 until the finals)

They don't want a laps in handing out the cup.