Photo: CBC
Nobody can argue the overall success of the bubble city when it comes to the health of the players. Earlier on Monday the NHL announced that there were no positive test results this past week for the fourth consecutive week. As a result, the success of the bubble protocols may find its way to the 2020-21 season.
Hockey insider John Shannon reported earlier this evening that the NHL and the NHLPA are currently discussing the possibility of expanding the bubble scheme to include four cities, with teams cycling in and out on a rotating basis.
Hearing the NHL and PA have had preliminary talks about next season. One proposal is to create 4 bubble cities, and rotating all 31 teams in those venues in 8 game increments.
At present, there’s no indication if all the cities would be in Canada.
But makes the most sense.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) August 24, 2020
Major League Baseball and the National Football League are currently operating or will operate without bubbles, maintaining home and away schedules, with travel and no fans in the stands. However it’s way too early to claim successes for either format. Should the two leagues manage to successfully complete their seasons without bubbles, one would think the NHL would likely follow suit.
The league is currently scheduled to open training camps in early November with the season opening on December 1.
By Jon Sorensen
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