NHL still has some hurdles to clear
NHL deal in place but provincial rules may keep lights off in Ontario, B.C. arenas
The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs aren't the only NHL teams facing an uphill battle if they want to play in their own rinks this season. You can put the Vancouver Canucks in that category as well.
The NHL'S board of governors were given the goods on the Return to Play agreement with the NHL Players' Association during a conference call Sunday afternoon and there wasn't any opposition from the league's 31 teams to begin play Jan. 13.
The NHL intends to start on that date with all seven Canadian teams playing in a newly-named North division in their own arenas, but many have serious doubts that will be the case with negotiations continuing between officials from the federal government along with the provinces and local public health authorities.
While deputy commissioner Bill Daly is leading those talks and B.C. is providing the most opposition, a league executive told Postmedia Sunday the province of Ontario has also raised “serious concerns” about the safety protocols the NHL has put in place to start a 56-game season that will run until May 11.
“Ontario has suddenly become a problem,” a league executive said Sunday. Toronto's 680 News reported Sunday the whole province of Ontario will be moved into lockdown Christmas Eve.
If the Senators don't get the green light to play at the Canadian Tire Centre and the same holds true for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, the league is considering moving all seven teams into a hub in Edmonton to at least start the season, with the hopes restrictions in Ontario will be lifted down the road.
The sense is Ontario health officials will eventually come around to allow the Leafs and Senators to play at home, but there are no guarantees. The lockdown in Toronto, along with rising cases of COVID-19, has left the province with plenty of questions in the last 48 hours about whether the NHL returning in Ontario is a good idea.
It's believed health authorities in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec all have questions, but they're willing to allow the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Montreal Canadiens to resume play in their rinks as long as all the proper safety protocols are in place.
As for B.C., there's major concern the health authorities there aren't willing to bend to allow the Vancouver Canucks to play at Rogers Arena. The province doesn't want visiting teams coming into the city despite the restrictions put on the staff and players by the league when they're on the road.
If B.C. can't be convinced, and it appears the officials there
won't change, there's options available for the league, including relocating the Canucks to another Canadian city to start the season. Edmonton makes the most sense because the infrastructure is in place and Rogers Place could easily house two NHL teams.
It's believed the Canucks are studying their options for relocation just in case it happens.
However, if Ontario and B.C. both refuse to accept the league's plan then all seven Canadian teams may play out of a hub in Edmonton. This isn't preferable for the teams or players, but it may be the only option available. Teams would spend 10-to-12 days in the hub and then return home for a week to get some rest.
The NHL isn't the least bit pleased with the provinces not being willing to sign off on their plans, especially in Ontario.
The league successfully used Toronto and Edmonton as bubbles to hold the playoffs in the summer and there weren't any positive tests among the more than 30,000 administered.
The league told the governors they will continue to work with the provinces to try to get this resolved to everybody's satisfaction.
Since the Senators didn't participate in the playoffs in the summer, players will be allowed to report for medicals Dec. 30 and voluntary on-ice workouts begin Dec. 31.
As for the Leafs, they're scheduled to open camp Jan. 3 along with the Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Jets and Habs.
“It's the current plan to play games in the home arenas of participating teams while understanding that most arenas will not, at least in the initial part of the season, be able to host fans,” the league said in a statement. “However, depending on prevailing conditions both in local markets and across North America, the league will be prepared to play games in one or more `neutral site' venues per division should it become necessary.”
Commissioner Gary Bettman said he knows the NHL will have to have flexibility with its scheduling.
“The NHL looks forward to the opening of our 2020-21 season, especially since the Return to Play in 2019-20 was so successful in crowning a Stanley Cup champion,” Bettman said. “While we're well aware of the challenges ahead, as was the case last spring and summer, we are continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and play.”
NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr said the players are excited to get back.
“The players are pleased to have finalized agreements for the upcoming season, which will be unique but also very exciting for the fans and players alike,” said Fehr.
“During these troubled times, we hope that NHL games will provide fans with some much needed entertainment as the players return to the ice.”