[airborne]

"Let me assure you that the reason we are doing this is because our fans have told us in overwhelming numbers that they want to complete the season if at all possible. And our players and our teams are clear that they want to play and bring the season to its rightful conclusion."

The format for the playoffs was determined in meetings of the Return to Play Committee, which included executives from the NHL and NHL Players' Association, and five players: Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and Philadelphia Flyers right wing James van Riemsdyk.

The Qualifying Round and Seeding Round Robin will be held at two hub cities to be identified -- one for the 12 participating Eastern Conference teams and one for the 12 Western Conference teams - and begin at a date to be determined. Candidates for the hub cities include Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver.

[airborne]

Hockey Ping!

(let me know if you want on or off the ping list)

[EEGator]

[SamAdams76]

Winner of this Stanley Cup will have an asterisk for sure.

But hey, I support it. Let the bruisers have some fun!

[EdnaMode]

Can’t wait.

[crusty old prospector]

Go Stars!

[sheehan]

can’t imagine any of the canadian cities being a ‘hub’ city given the travel lockdowns

rumor is that it will be Las Vegas for the western tournament

[decal]

Just as well the Red Wings stank this year - wouldn't want the Gov’s hubby trying to cut in line for tickets...

[Dilbert San Diego]

We may soon find out if the NBA will do something similar, moving into a revised playoff set up, hub cities, etc.

[DallasGal]

Yes!!!! Makes the crap that is my life at the moment bearable! :)

[WalterSkinner]

..drop the puck—I’m ready for any kind of hockey!

[Vermont Lt]

Sounds like a big weekend long AAU basketball tournament.

[KC_Conspirator]

Good idea, why not?

C-A-P-S, Caps, Caps, Caps!

[karnage]

NICE!

[OrangeHoof]

I wish them well. Not sure how they decided on the hub cities but the American-based ones all have Dem governors or Dem mayors that could monkey up the works.

Why not Phoenix or Tampa?

Last thing you want is to have 12 teams roll into town and then have a governor or mayor say “now, wait a minute fellows. Can’t you have social distancing during the games? Do they have to, you know, bump into each other so much?”

Need to have a site where they’d burn the arena down if the politicians refuse to let them play. Not sure I see any of those on their “hub” lists.

[headsonpikes]

Words I never thought I’d utter:

“Thank God for Gary Bettman!”

[Hatteras]

"I want to make clear that the health and safety of our players, coaches, essential support staff and our communities are paramount," Commissioner Gary Bettman said in announcing the Return to Play Plan.

so full of Shiite...

[Dr. Sivana]

Feels like the old days...(playoff teams in bold)

[rfp1234]

Ovechkin got cheated out of about a dozen probable goals in his quest to catch The Great One.

But playoffs in this format should be good, with rested players and others recovering from what were supposed to be season ending injuries. If Stamkos gets back, the Lightning (and Bruins) will be hard to beat. Vegas will come out of the West IMHO.

[rfp1234]

I should add, if Guentzel somehow recovers in time, the Pens will be as strong as anyone else.

[Hieronymus]

They’ve finally figured out a way to be even less selective than 16 of 21.

As SI said in a hockey pre-season issue in the late 70’s: and here are the five teams we think will not make the playoffs, which in hockey is like not making the phone book.