The NHL and NHLPA have continued negotiations on the return-to-play format for the 2020-21 season, and it's possible the bubble format may return, at least for Canadian teams. According to Darren Dreger of TSN, there is no official decision by the NHL as of yet, but there have been discussions regarding using an Edmonton bubble again, likely for the seven Canadian teams. Dreger went on to add that Toronto is also believed to be in consideration.
Toronto is also believed to be in consideration. https://t.co/gzzVJqG1iI— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 18, 2020
The bubble format worked really well for the NHL in August, and September for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Right from when the players entered the bubbles of Edmonton and Toronto in late July, until the last game of the Stanley Cup Final, the National Hockey League reported zero positive cases of COVID-19. While a full season in a bubble format is not ideal, especially since it will more than likely keep players away from their families, the NHL may be forced to go with that plan.
On Thursday, Health Canada said they would not bend the rules, and restrictions surrounding COVID-19 just so the NHL could host games in Canadian cities. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet said yesterday that the NHL could be forced to move all seven Canadian teams to the USA, if an agreement with provincial governments couldn't be reached.
Everything remains up in the air at the moment, with less than a month until the NHL's target start date of January 13th. An agreement with the NHL and NHLPA would likely have to be reached by this weekend to even have a chance of reaching that possible start date.
