The NHL isn't moving forward with its plan to finish the season in non-league sites, according to a report from Greg Wyshynski at ESPN.
The NHL had been hearing pitches to finish in college or minor-league rinks in places like North Dakota and New Hampshire, but sources told ESPN that the plan fell through "due to problems with player accommodations, facilities for league and team staff, and the inability to bring multiple broadcasting crews to cover potential Stanley Cup playoff games."
ESPN reported Wednesday that the NHL is currently looking into finishing the season in a select few NHL arenas in areas not heavily impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, with each division playing in one arena. Sources told the network that favorites to host remaining games are Raleigh, N.C.; Edmonton, Alberta; and St. Paul, Minn.; with no favorite from the Atlantic Division yet.
There's no clear target date for a return yet.
Jim Rutherford told Dave Molinari early this month that he believed the Lemieux Complex in Cranberry could be a viable site to host games. The rink previously hosted a preseason game between the Penguins and Blues.
“At least we have something to look at, as to whether it’s viable,” Rutherford said. “It seemed to be viable for that game.”
It sounds like the NHL is no longer considering playing in smaller rinks like the Lemieux Complex anymore, but the proximity of a team's practice rink to its NHL arena could be an important factor, given the need to host practices for multiple teams in one area. PPG Paints Arena and the Lemieux Complex are just over 20 minutes apart, and the Hurricanes practice rink and arena are a little closer, under 15 minutes apart. Some teams, like the Blue Jackets, have their practice facility connected to the arena, which could be convenient in a situation like this.
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