The NHL is one of the pro sports leagues that is currently evaluating the possibility of hosting neutral-site games in empty stadiums between teams during the coronavirus epidemic.
Before I get any further, let me say: I have no idea if this can be done or not. Leagues are currently investigating whether or not it’s possible to safely hold games between teams in empty stadiums, with frequent testing of players and possible league-wide quarantines. Can it be done? Absolutely no idea. We’ve never been here before.
If (and that’s a big “if”) the leagues determine it can be done safely, they’ve still got to figure out where to hold these games in a way that limits travel and puts the fewest amount of people at risk.
Some cities are stepping up to offer their services, and they’re names you might not expect.
Via an interview with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly on ESPN:
Among the reported possible locations for neutral-site games, which would likely be held in empty arenas, are Grand Forks, North Dakota; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. But Daly said the NHL hasn’t even “created the field yet” in determining which sites would work.
This is fantastic. If it can be done, the NHL should absolutely look into hosting these events in new places, if only for novelty and television interest.
I can understand why a pro sports team might not want to exist in Grand Forks, North Dakota. With a population of 56,000 at the last census, there just isn’t a big enough audience base there to support a pro sports team at the level that NHL teams want. (I’d say give it to Grand Forks and find out, but that’s another argument.)
But with no fans allowed in the stadium anyway, why not? Smaller population centers would allow NHL players to have less risk of infection, and Grand Forks would get to host NHL games. It could absolutely spur interest in the sport in that area, and let a whole bunch of NHL fans get to see a part of the world they might not otherwise see.
Host NHL games in high school rinks, if it can be televised even moderately well. Have fun with it. If things can be done safely, we might as well make this interesting.
[jwplayer 6XlyHtfg-q2aasYxh]