The NHL has announced that Edmonton and Toronto have been chosen as the two hub cities for the league's return-to-play plan. Las Vegas and Vancouver were also finalists as one of the hub cities.Toronto will will serve as the hub city for Eastern Conference teams and Edmonton will be for Western Conference teams once the league resumes play. In addition to announcing the hub cities, the NHL announced the schedule for the qualifying round, which is set to start Aug. 1.
Officially official.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 10, 2020
Toronto will serve as the hub city for Eastern Conference teams in the @NHL's Return to Play Plan. pic.twitter.com/IB11UHnHem
The wait is over, #Oilers fans.
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 10, 2020
Hockey is coming home. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/JXF7Bzu3M8
There will be four play-in series for each conference once play returns.
Phase 3 of the NHL's return-to-play plan is the opening of training camps, was originally set for July 10, but was moved back to July 13. The success of Phase 3 is going to help determine when the Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin.
According to an Associated Press report, the NHL isn't planning on placing teams in quarantined "bubbles" when training camps open on July 10. The league is informing players that they should stay home when they're not practicing and that outbreaks can be prevented with frequent testing for the coronavirus.
In addition, there have been 1,450 conducted tests for the coronavirus on over 250 players since Phase 2 began. Team facilities reopened earlier this month for voluntary workouts and off-ice workouts in small groups under strict guidelines from the league.
Last month, the league announced a return-to-play scenario that includes a 24-team playoff format in order to crown a Stanley Cup champion. Players, coaches, and staff members will be quarantined while the playoffs are going on. Once games begin during the play-in tournament, players are going to tested on a daily basis.
