Hockey fans throughout the World are anticipating the greatest sport on Earth to start at some point, and Gary Bettman is now talking of using “Hub Cities” at least to start the season:
“Right now, we’re focused on whether or not we’re going to play in our buildings and do some limited traveling or play in a bubble, and that’s something we’re working on and getting medical advice on.”- Gary Bettman said in article printed by Nicholas J. Cotsonika, who writes for NHL.com
As Elliotte Friedman indicated above these bubbles will not be permanent. However, this is one main reason the season has not been moved to a vote with the BOG (Board of Governors). The hope is for the NHL and NHLPA to have a verbal agreement in place with the start of the season to begin on January 13, 2021. Flyers Training Camp would begin around January 3, 2021 or so, with the possibility of expanded rosters from the size of 23 players to at least 26 players.
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I think both sides will agree to a deal, but yet another hurdle that the NHL has to overcome is putting fans back into the arenas. Money continues to be the root of all evil’s for this great sport, as hockey is a spectator sport. According to statistica.com, “It is estimated that each team will lose an average of 1.31 million U.S. dollars in ticket sales alone for each home game that is canceled due to the coronavirus.” Simply put, hockey needs fans in the seats to offset costs, as they do not have much in a way of TV contracts to offset such costs.
Even after a vaccine is made available to the general public. It could take months to even get the vaccine, thus having fans might not become a reality for the 2020-21 season. This stuff takes time, and it won’t be instantaneous. The NHL I’m sure is set to take a loss once again, but hopefully it’s not as bad in the end.
