#NHL finalizing Toronto, Edmonton as hub cities for playoffs

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Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena
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July 1 is celebrated as Canada Day, and what better way to celebrate than finding out two Canadian cities may be chosen as the hosts for the NHL’s “Return–to-Play” tournament.

The Post confirmed Wednesday a report from TSN’s Bob McKenzie that, barring any last-minute complications, the two NHL hub cities will be Edmonton and Toronto.

Sources have indicated the Rangers and Islanders would be located in Toronto.

Nothing has been made official by the league, but The Post has learned there was an interim agreement Tuesday night between the NHL and NHLPA to extend expiring contracts so that both sides could continue to negotiate on the “Return-to-Play” plan and a new extension of the collective bargaining agreement. Otherwise, players would’ve become free agents Wednesday. Players are also being paid their July 1 signing bonuses, The Post has learned.

In the proposed agreement, players are permitted to opt out of the 2020 summer playoffs. Additionally, players on expiring contracts who choose not to participate in the playoff tournament will be allowed to sign with another league later this month.

However, if the NHL and NHLPA do not reach a final agreement on the “Return-to-Play” logistics, the players association may withdraw consent on contract expirations by providing eight days notice.

Once negotiations on the tentative agreement are finalized, NHLPA membership could be voting on everything by Friday or Saturday, according to McKenzie.

The Post’s Larry Brooks recently reported that the anticipated CBA proposal generated by the league and union will include a cap on escrow – the percentage of a player’s salary withheld by the league and union to ensure a 50-50 split in hockey-related income – on a de-linked flat salary cap at around $83 million for at least three seasons.

That number is subject to change, according to Brooks, but excess would roll over for the first two or three years with a hard cap on escrow being gradually introduced over the decided length of the extension.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the cap on escrow would start at 20 percent next season and then move down after that. Additionally, the modified CBA could have details on a return to the Olympics, per Friedman, pending an agreement with the International Olympic Committee.

For the first time in over a month, Las Vegas is no longer a front runner to host the NHL’s 24-team playoff tournament. Nevada saw another record-breaking day in coronavirus cases and testing Monday, with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services reporting 562 new cases and three COVID-19-related deaths across the state.