The NHL hopes to begin "phase 2" of its return that would see club facilities reopen later this month, but that is "all subject to a review, and it’s too early to start the review process," according to TSN's Darren Dreger. The league is “cautiously optimistic,” and while the "majority of the clubs may be able to open up, unless they can all open up at the same time or around the same time, the NHL isn’t going to allow players to go their club facility.” Meanwhile, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman at this week's BOG meeting addressed the idea of “going to a four-site centralized format.” Nothing has been decided on that plan, though as many as 14 teams have submitted “bids to be one of those four sites.” However, players “have concerns” about “being in a bubble for three months.” The league could allow players “a break from the bubble to go see their loved ones" during that time ("Insider Trading," TSN, 5/5).
TALKING POINTS: Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that the Maple Leafs' parent company, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, "has been in contact with the province about the possibility of Canada's biggest city serving a so-called 'hockey pod' for teams should the NHL resume its season."Ford said that MLSE has reached out, but "hasn't provided any details about a potential proposal." Ford: "They're coming up with a game plan, (the) NHL as a whole. They haven't really divulged anything else as of yet, but we have had a conversation." Toronto Mayor John Tory said that he also has been "involved in discussions about the NHL using Scotiabank Arena as one of its hubs." Tory said, "There have been some very preliminary, very high-level contacts with respect to the possibility of some hockey games being played here. But it's something that hasn't been finalized by the National Hockey League" (CP, 5/5). Despite the talk about hub cities, in Vancouver, Ben Kuzma writes the NHL should not return until the "high hurdle of a process for reliable and frequent COVID-19 testing is cleared and doesn’t place professionals ahead of citizens" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 5/6).
