The NHL gave a detailed description of what life in the hub cities under the Return to Play Plan will be like to players, coaches and team executives in an hourlong virtual presentation Thursday. It covered everything from health and safety to daily living, game presentation and competitive fairness.
"This is going to be an unusual, to say the least, endeavor," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "It will be challenging at times, but I assure you we, in conjunction with the [NHL] Players' Association, who we work with every step of the way, are trying to do everything possible to make this an experience that hopefully you'll never forget, but in a good way."
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There will be a fencing system running through each location to keep everyone inside the bubble secure and away from the general public. There will be 97 security guards and health ambassadors in Toronto and 125 in Edmonton.
Restaurants in the secure zones, some already in place and some the League is creating with the help of local chefs, will open early in the morning until late at night. Mayer said there will be a variety of food choices.
The League also created a concierge system by working with outside delivery companies to allow anyone in the bubble to get food, pharmaceutical needs and goods delivered from outside vendors.
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"Rather than taking advantage of virtual fans or cardboard cutouts or putting teddy bears in the stands, we've decided that we're going to do something that really caters to the fans at home, the fans that are enjoying the television experience," Mayer said. "We want to educate them. We want to entertain them. We want to visually excite them."
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In addition, Mayer said broadcast partners NBC in Toronto and Sportsnet in Edmonton will use 32 cameras per game, 12 more than normal, that will be repositioned in each building to bring the television audience visuals they haven't seen before.
The NHL is trying to make this look easy. This is the opposite. This is nothing short of a historic undertaking, something we've never seen before and hopefully never see again.
After reading some of the details I have to tip my hat to the league. Although it still feels fragile from the fan's perspective, no stone has been left unturned it seems to make it as safe as possible. Will also be interesting to see what the final production will be on TV. Definitely looking forward to the extra camera angles and what plans they have for ''the crowd''.
Have to give kudos to the league and their partners if they can pull this off!
Last edited by Huntingwhale; 07-24-2020 at 06:05 PM.
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One thing that I'm curious about is what the policy looks like surrounding the NHL execs like Bettman and Daly and anyone. Will they be at a single hub? Will they be at home/working out of their offices? Will they be allowed to freely enter/exit the bubbles?
I have to travel to Edmonton Sunday for work. I usually stay in the Delta hotel downtown, but that, JW Marriott, and Sutton Place are all closed off for the NHL. It'll be interesting walking the +15 down there to see exactly what's blocked off from the public
Interesting move to cover the seats. Smart, acutally. Will not be distracted by the "empty" feeling of looking at the bare backs of seats everywhere. Makes it feel like an intimate special event. I really like the setup. Best part is no ugly logos of either of the host teams!
The Flames decorations + floor mats are brilliant.
Getting more on board with this, and feels like the players are too.
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The seats being covered makes it look almost like a major junior arena. Way smaller and, like djs said, more intimate.
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Looks good. I wonder if the Flames got the family photo idea from the Raptors who did the same in their "bubble" and received a ton of praise from players around the league.
Looks good. I wonder if the Flames got the family photo idea from the Raptors who did the same in their "bubble" and received a ton of praise from players around the league.
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go Flames Go!
NHL gives details on the hub lifestyle
