The NHL will likely use two "hub" cities for its season restart if the proposed 24-team, conference-based playoff format is approved by the league and the NHLPA, an NHL source tells ESPN. Discussions had centered around using four NHL arenas as "hubs." When asked about the proposed format, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email, “I’m not aware of any agreement yet. Don’t want to jump the gun on anything.”
The AHL cancelled its 2019-20 season on Monday, with the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators' affiliate) atop the standings in points (90) and points percentage (.714). With no playoffs, should they have been named Calder Cup champion? “No,” Admirals GM Scott Nichol told ESPN. “I think you have to go through those battles. You have to go through the playoffs. You just can’t be entitled to get a trophy. I would have never thought we’d be crowned Calder Cup champions. No, they did it right.”
NHL Seattle is “getting close” on its name, colors and logo. “We’re still going through the legal process, led by the league,” said Katie Townsend, VP of communications. “Then it’s just making sure we’re sensitive to the community. We don’t want to be tone deaf. We want to make sure the mood is right.” After the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted its marketing calendar, the team is targeting June for a renewed ticket push, while being sensitive to “economic and psychological” factors for fans.