2 cities rumored as candidates for the NHL's 2 city plan.

For several days now we have been hearing about the likelihood of a 24 team playoff system that will be implemented to finish off the 2019 - 2020 National Hockey League campaign and crown the 2020 Stanley Cup Champions, but up until now every iteration of that plan that we had heard discussed would have seen all 4 of the NHL's divisions hosted in a separate city. Now however according to a new reports from several of the NHL's top insiders it sounds like the NHL may be moving in a new direction.

The first to break the story was TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger who revealed that a plan involving just 2 cities, which would of course result in 12 teams being housed in each of the 2 cities, was now also on the table and was still being discussed. From Dreger:

NHL Board conference call today. The NHLPA was also busy this weekend working on return to play scenarios. Two Hub Cities with 12 teams in each has been discussed and remains one of the possibilities. TBD.

That report was then echoed by Dreger's colleague at TSN when TSN NHL insider Bob McKenzie reported that the 2 city plan was not only on the table but gaining some traction around the league. In McKenzie's case however he named one of the cities that could potentially host the NHL in this newly proposed scenario. From McKenzie:

Nothing firmed up yet obviously but two hub cities instead of four is generating some buzz in discussions amongst teams. Las Vegas, for example, where an entire hotel/resort could be dedicated to the NHL and with easy access to the arena.

As for the location of the other city in this plan? Well we have heard for weeks now that Edmonton was being viewed as a potential candidate in the plan that would have included 4 cities, and TSN Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug is reporting that the Oilers believe Rogers Place could handle hosting 12 teams all at once. From Rishaug:

Oilers feel they could manage as many as a dozen teams in Edmonton if needed.

It sounds like the ball is definitely moving forward on the NHL's plans to resume and an official announcement could come as early as today following the league's board of governors meeting.