The Athletic looks at the potential markets where play could resume:
https://theathletic.com/1773222/2020...-could-resume/
They are ranked based on this criteria:
- Not a COVID-19 "hot spot"
- A minimum of 4 NHL-calibre dressing rooms to allow for multiple games per day with complete sanitizing of each room between uses
- Practice facilities within close proximity of the arena/team hotels to meet the needs of multiple teams' schedules
- An adequate number of 4/5 star hotels within close proximity of the arena to house all of the teams
- A facility that isn't shared with an NBA team and/or coordination with the NBA to ensure both leagues aren't trying to use the same arena
- Tier 1 (Leaders): Columbus, Edmonton, Minnesota, Toronto
- Tier 2 (Strong Possibility): Dallas, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Vegas
- Tier 3 (Fallback): Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina, Colorado, Detroit, St Louis, Vancouver
- Tier 4 (No Chance): Everyone else
The Athletic story goes into much more detail on each city. It's worth a read if you have access.