NHL RELEASES SCHEDULE, WITHOUT CONFIRMING SITES OF HOME GAMES

NHL in talks with federal, provincial, city governments concerning travel restrictions

The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs are scheduled to kick off Round 1 of the Battle of Ontario with back-to-back games next month.

Exactly where those will be played is to be determined.

Yes, the NHL released its schedule for all 31 teams Wednesday, which included the outline for the much-anticipated all-canadian division, but there’s no guarantee the Senators and Leafs will be able to face off at the Canadian Tire Centre as is scheduled for Jan. 15 and 16.

In fact, nobody knows if the Leafs will be able to suit up at Scotiabank Arena at all this season, while the same goes for Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Senators.

While the seven Canadian teams received their 56-game schedule, many have no idea where they’re going to play and, at this juncture, all options are on the table.

The Leafs and Senators are still awaiting the go-ahead from Ontario, while British Columbia’s decision on the Canucks is unpredictable.

As reported in this space Tuesday, Alberta already has confirmed it will allow the Flames and Oilers to play at home. The belief is Quebec is expected to follow suit with the Canadiens and the same goes for the Manitoba government with the Jets.

Time is of the essence with the season set to get underway Jan. 13 and the expectation is if everybody doesn’t sign off by then, the NHL has different scenarios ready. One would involve moving all seven Canadian teams into a hub in Edmonton to start the season if Ontario and B.C. don’t agree.

Lisa Macleod, an Ottawa-area MPP who serves as Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for Ontario, said she’s not sure if all the provinces will be on board.

“If one or two provinces weren’t able to ( green-light the NHL) there would probably be potential to play out of a different city that was allowing it,” Macleod said. “We’re not at that point yet.”

If Ontario agrees and B.C. doesn’t, then the Canucks could be relocated to Edmonton to play their games until they get clearance to go home. All options are on the table and, as a result, the NHL may have to adjust its schedule, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly is hopeful the provinces will allow the show to go on.

The possibility of moving all seven teams to the United States remains on the table. However, it’s considered a remote possibility because Edmonton likely would welcome the seven teams with open arms.

The Senators and Leafs both can practise at their facilities with the province in lockdown, but that’s about it.

“We continue to meet with the provinces and the federal government. Those conversations are ongoing and we have a meeting today,” Macleod said following a provincial funding announcement Wednesday. “It’s obviously very complex, I will speak for Ontario, given (the fact) we would need clearance from Ottawa’s public health officer, Toronto’s public health officer and chief medical officer of health.

“It would have go to cabinet for a decision and that would have to happen in every single province that has a team. The good news is the conversations are ongoing.

“I have regular conversations with our friends at the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. The discussions are moving along nicely.”

The NHL was hopeful it would have answers from the provinces before Christmas but that doesn’t look like it’s forthcoming. B.C.’S Dr. Bonnie Henry noted to Global’s Richard Zussman in an interview this week she’s got a lot on her plate, and in Ontario the province is going into full lockdown beginning on Boxing Day.

There’s been no shortage of complaints in Ontario about the fact most of the province will be shut down for 28 days — including Toronto and Ottawa. That adds another layer to all of this.

“We are cognizant of the fact that we’re in a public health crisis, and my goal, and every other member of our government’s goal is to ensure that there are few travelling in this period than ever before,” Macleod added. “Previous to this, Ottawa was in a different situation than Toronto, which was in lockdown.

“We’re not only looking at different public health units, but in those health units, different health care circumstances. In my conversations with Dr. Vera Etches (in Ottawa), when I had spoken with her, she seemed to be relatively supportive of an NHL return and the Senators playing at home here.”

Macleod said she understands the time issue but this isn’t a decision that can be rushed.

“We recognize that the NHL and the NHLPA did a lot of work on the weekend to come to a resolution on what the schedule would look like and how many games they would play,” Macleod said. “We recognize as sports ministers across the (country) that this is something very timely and important for them. So that’s why we’re meeting regularly and looking at every option.

“In my conversations with the Senators and the Leafs, they realize we’re in a very real public health crisis and the priority of our government is to make sure Ontarians are safe and healthy and that our hospital capacity isn’t overwhelmed. We understand they need a decision, and need one soon, if they’re to resume at all.”

In my conversations with the Senators and the Leafs, they realize we're in a very real public health crisis.