Last week, a couple of developments happened in regards to the National Hockey League’s restart plans. Check out our weekly updated NHL Odds & News on where the National Hockey League stands in regards to its return to the ice on our Coronavirus (COVID-19) NHL Update.

NHL Update – June 6^th Edition

NHL 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs

• When: TBD
• Where: TBD

NHL Stanley Cup Odds

• Boston Bruins +500
• Tampa Bay Lightning +500
• Colorado Avalanche +700
• Vegas Golden Knights +600
• Louis Blues +900
• Philadelphia Flyers +1200
• Washington Capitals +1200
• Pittsburgh Penguins +1400
• Dallas Stars +1400
• Toronto Maple Leafs +2500
• Edmonton Oilers +2500
• Nashville Predators +4000
• Vancouver Canucks +3500
• Calgary Flames +4000
• Carolina Hurricanes +3500
• New York Islanders +4000
• Winnipeg Jets +4000
• Arizona Coyotes +4500
• Minnesota Wild +4500
• New York Rangers +3750
• Florida Panthers +4000
• Columbus Blue Jackets +3300
• Chicago Blackhawks +6600
• Montreal Canadiens +8000

NHL restart blueprint relies on player approval

By now, most everyone knows about the National Hockey League’s return to play proposal. 24-teams in a bubble type environment in two specific cities where the league can administer daily tests to players coaches, and staff.

The eight for sure playoff teams participate in a round-robin to determine seeding. The other 16 squads battle it out for the right to head to the 16-team NHL Playoffs.

Sounds like a good idea, right? But, although most everyone loves the concept, one group has yet to give their blessing.

This week, the players must decide if they’re on board with the plan. They must decide soon because the NHL has made July 10 the mandatory day for training camps to open. Rumor has it, the National Hockey League will push that date to July 13.

No matter if it’s July 10 or July 13, there are about seven days before training camps. Without player approval, the restart plan is dead in the water before stepping a foot on land.

NHL down to Toronto and Edmonton as hub cities?

The league had hoped to choose an American city and a city in Canada for their two hubs. But, this is the Age of Covid-19. That means, sports leagues must remain nimble enough to reverse course.

The National Hockey League has reversed course. At one point, Las Vegas was a shoo-in as the U.S. city. Coronavirus cases have spiked in Nevada, though. Vegas was the lone U.S. city that remained on the list.

NHL can’t play matches in Los Angeles. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom decided to shut down bars and restaurants. The Golden State has also seen a spike in Covid cases.

If the league shuns every U.S. city, we’re down to a couple of Canadian locations, Toronto and Edmonton, as their hubs. It makes sense.

Toronto is located on the east coast. Edmonton is located closer to the Pacific Ocean. That would require limited travel if the NHL can set up a schedule where teams closest to Edmonton and Toronto play each other.

The National Hockey League appears to have worked out some kinks. Let’s hope that players sign-off on the restart plan so they can get back onto the ice.