Quote:
Originally Posted by monkeyman
The more I think about it, the more I think Vancourver would be the best Canadian city to host as hub.
They've expressed interest.
They have international airport access.
They're Covid-19 rates have stabilized and remain low.
They're testing rates have dropped significantly, leaving lots of availability to test players, refs, and other team personal.
The players would be more willing to go there.
It's certainly much more marketable than Edmonton.
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I agree with everything else, but as others have pointed out this last bit is probably not worth any consideration. The players and teams won't care about where they play so long as they are playing, and the conditions are up to NHL standards. Fans won't care where they are playing, because the inside of an empty arena looks like the inside of every other arena. Even in the event players are holed-up in Edmonton for days or weeks, it's not like they will be navigating the culture of Edmonton; they will spend all their days between hotels, practice facilities, and the arena on game-days. If anything, Edmonton might make the most sense just by virtue of the fact that it's desolation provides for a much more easily controlled environment, with fewer potential distractions.