The coronavirus pandemic is playing havoc on the National Hockey League’s plans to start the season on January 1. Before issues arose, NHL had said they wanted to start on Dec. 1. That’s no longer an option. Now, because of rising cases, January 1 might pose an issue as well. Check out the latest rumors and news in the National Hockey League so you can get all set to make your bets against their NHL odds for the upcoming season.
NHL Rumors – COVID Causing Havoc with Start Date
2020-2021 NHL Season
- When: TBD
NHL Stanley Cup Odds
- Colorado Avalanche +550
- Tampa Bay Lightning +800
- Vegas Golden Knights +650
- Boston Bruins +1100
- Toronto Maple Leafs +1000
- Philadelphia Flyers +1500
- Washington Capitals +1800
- Pittsburgh Penguins +1700
- Dallas Stars +2000
- St. Louis Blues 2000
- Vancouver Canucks +1800
- Edmonton Oilers +1500
- New York Rangers +2000
- Carolina Hurricanes +2100
- New York Islanders +2700
- Calgary Flames +2600
- Nashville Predators +2800
- Winnipeg Jets +2800
- Arizona Coyotes +5000
- Columbus Blue Jackets +3500
- Florida Panthers +3400
- Minnesota Wild +6700
- New Jersey Devils +4700
- Montreal Canadiens +2000
- San Jose Sharks +4700
- Anaheim Ducks +6700
- Buffalo Sabres +4600
- Chicago Blackhawks +4700
- Los Angeles Kings +7000
- Ottawa Senators +8100
- Detroit Red Wings +11000
Start date in question due to rise in COVID cases but NHL still hoping for Jan. 1 start
The National Hockey League continues to put a positive spin on what’s become a tough situation. The league had hoped to start the new season on Dec. 1, but rising coronavirus cases in the United States and Canada ended that plan.
Now, the rising causes have caused some to question whether January 1 is a real date to start the upcoming season. The National Hockey League wants to play games in all of their arenas. They’re hoping that fans can attend games.
Like the NBA, the NHL saw the revenue hit they took after playing matches without fans. The bad news is that January 1 is in jeopardy. The good news is that the league has begun looking to a Plan B that involves hybrid hub locations that could, potentially, allow teams to play in their own arenas. Playing with or without fans is the real question the National Hockey League has yet to answer.
Home rinks or hubs?
Even though the league hopes to have teams play in home rinks, a hybrid hub location plan is in the works. The hybrid hub location plan won’t be a go, though, if the National Hockey league determines that the cost to playing at hubs is more than it’s worth.
MLB played a shortened season that turned out to be very popular with their fans. The NHL could do the same. This is especially true since the league won’t start any sooner than January first.
A shortened season with a schedule similar to MLB’s could yield massive benefits. Things are looking up on the COVID-19 front with President Trump announcing the Pfizer vaccines should be available to those most at risk in December and the rest of the public in April. That should help everyone get into the hockey mood once the season starts, which means nobody will look down on a shortened season.
Sharks may have to leave San Jose
San Jose has major developmental projects going own near the SAP Center. The Sharks sent a letter to the city saying that they may have to move from San Jose if the developments continue as planned.
It’s difficult to understand why a professional sports team would want to leave a city that’s developing around it’s arena. The more money San Jose makes, the better it is for the Sharks, right? Or, maybe, San Jose doesn’t care about hockey. In any case, this one figures to work itself out one way or another.
Have a great week!
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