The NHL is "seeking input from the NHLPA in the process to select the two hub cities that would host the 24-team Return To Play tournament later this summer," according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun. The league just "doesn't want to choose the two cities" and then tell the NHLPA, "Here ya go, this is where you are playing." This is about "finding the two city candidates that will appease the players and make them comfortable living in that bubble culture." LeBrun noted Las Vegas is "considered a frontrunner to land one of the two spots while the second city is still up in the air" (TSN.ca, 6/15).
LAYING OUT THE DETAILS: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league in its return to play is "relying on the medical experts, and we're going to be focused jointly with the players association" to ensure player safety. Bettman during yesterday's "The Return of Sports" special on ESPN said, "Everything we've been doing has been a joint effort, working together to make sure that we're adhering to the protocols, which will be very strict." Bettman: "We will carefully monitor with extensive testing all of the players that are in the hub cities and the supporting personnel." Bettman said players are "going to be tested every day, as will the supporting personnel, and if there's one positive test, again this will be under the strict guidance of the medical people, that person will be isolated and we'll be monitoring anybody through contact tracing that was in close proximity." However, Bettman noted an "isolated case or a couple of isolated cases shouldn't interfere with the plans and we should be able to move forward." Bettman: "The notion and the way we've handled this is to create a bubble where we’re basically COVID-19 free, and we now open training facilities, players are returning from all over the world, and they’re being tested" ("The Return of Sports," ESPN, 6/15).
