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The NHL and NHLPA are discussing the use of two hub cities to each feature 12 teams for a potential resumption of the 2019-20 season, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
Previous discussions included proposals of four hub destinations, though it's not clear which locations the NHL is leaning toward using. Several cities, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton, previously expressed interest in hosting.
It was reported Sunday that the league and players' union are making progress toward a 24-team playoff format, though there's still work to be done before anything is finalized.
The NHL's Board of Governors is set for a conference call Monday afternoon to continue discussions on a return to play.
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While Anaheim Ducks backup goaltender Ryan Miller hopes to keep playing hockey next season, the COVID-19 pandemic could push him to call it quits earlier than expected.
"I mean the desire is there, but there's going to be a lot of factors. First of all, we're all going to have to address this new normal. What that means for sports and life - and wrapped up in that is family and how family is going to need to be taken care of during this time," Miller said to Sportsnet's Gene Principe. "There's a lot of talk here in California that schools are not going to be fully in session possibly into next year, that changes the dynamic around the house and what needs to happen and what's important."
The 39-year-old netminder has spent 17 seasons in the NHL, most recently serving as the backup in Anaheim over the past three years. Miller has performed well with the Ducks, appearing in 71 games while compiling a 29-19-12 record with a .916 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average.
Miller turned in the best years of his career with the Buffalo Sabres, where he spent 11 seasons from 2002-14. He took home the Vezina Trophy in 2010 and put together an impressive 284-186-57 record with a .916 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average with the franchise.
While he believes he still has some gas left in the tank, Miller knows the evolving situation may force his hand.
"Hockey is very important to me but I'm trying to be realistic," he said. "I'm at the tail end of a long career and I would love to play so I'm going to hum and haw for you guys. I really like to play, it's a lot of fun, but I really want to see where things end up."
Miller, who will turn 40 in July, is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign.
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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is incredibly optimistic about the NHL's chances of completing the 2019-20 season during the coronavirus pandemic.
Melnyk said he's "100%" confident that the Stanley Cup will be awarded this season and that the 2020-21 campaign will be played in full, according to TSN's Bruce Garrioch.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this week that canceling the remainder of the 2019-20 season and playoffs is "not something I'm even contemplating."
The league is reportedly leaning toward jumping straight into the postseason upon its potential return. However, the NHL and NHLPA are also reportedly progressing toward a 24-team playoff format that would involve games being played beforehand in some manner.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly has already made it clear that the league intends to avoid a scenario that would prevent a full season from taking place in 2020-21.
Some players, including Los Angeles Kings star Drew Doughty, have voiced their pessimism about the 2019-20 campaign resuming this summer.
While players and staff remain in self-quarantine, the league hopes to initiate Phase 2 of its return plan by late May. At that point, players would be permitted to return to club facilities to work out in small groups.
The NHL postseason is unpredictable in a normal year. But under current circumstances, which may include a three-to-five month wait before 24 teams head into a revamped Stanley Cup Playoffs after a brief tune-up at most, there's no telling what could happen.
With the league and players' union reportedly progressing toward an expanded 24-team postseason format, we decided to put together a list of three dark-horse teams that could surprise and embark on a deep playoff run.
Only clubs that wouldn't have made the playoffs in a normal 16-team format based on points percentage were included.
New York Rangers
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / Getty
Record: 37-28-5 (.564 PTS%) Rank: 11th in Eastern Conference
Shesterkin went 10-2-0 in 12 starts with a .932 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average after he was recalled from the AHL midseason. If the 24-year-old can pick up where he left off when the season resumes, he'd hide some of the club's defensive warts and allow the offense to go to work.
With an average age of 26.2, the Rangers are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the league's youngest team. This may help them get back up to speed quicker than some of the more veteran squads in the Eastern Conference, like the Boston Bruins or Washington Capitals.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
Record: 33-22-15 (.579 PTS%) Rank: 9th in Eastern Conference
The Blue Jackets have been a resilient group this season. The club lost Panarin, Matt Duchene, and Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency and dealt with an abundance of injuries but managed to carve out a rather impressive campaign.
Though the timing of the NHL's postponement wasn't ideal for anyone, injury-riddled teams like the Jackets stood to benefit more than others. At the time of the pause, Columbus was without Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Alexandre Texier, and Josh Anderson. Perhaps with the exception of Anderson, who was given a four-to-six month timeline at the beginning of March, the Jackets would have all key pieces back in the fold.
The Blue Jackets play a grinding, defensive style of hockey that can be effective in the playoffs and are backed by a stellar goaltender in Elvis Merzlikins. The St. Louis Blues used a similar formula to win the Cup a year ago.
Winnipeg Jets
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Record: 37-28-6 (.563 PTS%) Rank: 9th in Western Conference
The Jets would be a frightening postseason opponent. If the series turns into some river hockey, Winnipeg's offensive core of Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine, and Nikolaj Ehlers can go toe to toe with any in the league. If the series morphs into a defensive battle, the Jets have Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes.
It's also possible that the Jets get Bryan Little back after the forward missed all but seven games this season due to a concussion and then a perforated eardrum.
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There's clearly no precedent for a work stoppage like what we've seen as a result of the coronavirus, and bettors trying to find one will be disappointed. Still, when the sports world returns to "normal," teams will deal with some of the same issues that we've seen after previous stoppages - limited practice time, shortened seasons, and more schedule-related adversities.
For bettors seeking an edge when leagues resume play, could there be something to learn from past delays?
To find out, we studied every strike, lockout, and other work stoppages over the last 30 years that either shortened the offseason or delayed the start of the schedule. We left out brief midseason interruptions or delays that resulted in canceled postseasons, as those don't help us find an edge in upcoming betting markets.
Here are the six seasons that guided our research and impressions on how this unprecedented delay can guide bettors when major sports leagues eventually return:
Work stoppage
Season affected
Games missed
Champion
NHL lockout
1994-95
34
New Jersey Devils
MLB strike
1995
18
Atlanta Braves
NBA lockout
1998-99
32
San Antonio Spurs
NFL lockout
2011
0
New York Giants
NBA lockout
2011-12
16
Miami Heat
NHL lockout
2012-13
34
Chicago Blackhawks
Bet the favorites
It may seem obvious, but it's by far the strongest trend from the sampled seasons - the best teams win in adverse conditions, often in convincing fashion.
The eventual champion entered the year as one of the top five favorites in five of the six seasons. Only the 2011 New York Giants (+2200) defied the odds, and they had to beat the preseason favorite New England Patriots (+500) in the Super Bowl and the second-favorite Green Bay Packers (+650) in the divisional round during an improbable playoff run.
Some of the most dominant performances in recent memory have come after a shortened offseason, particularly early in the year.
Those 2011 Packers opened the year with 14 straight wins behind preseason MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers (+550). The 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks (+1200) began the season by playing 24 games without a regulation loss, setting an NHL record en route to a Stanley Cup. The 1995 Atlanta Braves (+400) remain tied for the third-shortest odds of any MLB champion since 1985, while the 2011-12 Miami Heat (+225) are tied among the third-shortest NBA favorites to win since 2002.
The betting favorites usually reach the postseason, too. In the NHL, teams with the best title odds comprised most of the playoff field in 1994-95 (14 of the 16 shortest title prices) and 2012-13 (11 of 13). It was a similar story in the NBA in 1998-99 (11 of 12) and 2011-12 (16 of 20), with all 10 of the shortest title favorites making the field in the latter year. This doesn't always occur in sports; the four listed seasons stand in contrast to the relative diversity by preseason odds in the 2018-19 NHL and NBA playoff fields.
So what does that mean for bettors if upcoming seasons or training camps are shortened? Expect dominance from likely title contenders, ride early winning streaks, and don't get too cute with your playoff fields. The best teams - and players - are likely to shine through uncertainty.
Bad teams rising
This is where things get interesting. While the best of the best tend to excel after a reduced offseason, the worst teams also seem to surprise relative to expectation.
Entering the 2011 NFL season, eight teams had title odds of 100-1 or longer. Six of those teams went over their preseason win totals and two of them made the playoffs. Compare that to 2018-19, when just four of the eight teams with comparable odds went over and only one reached the postseason.
We saw similar results in the two most recent lockouts: Five of the six worst teams by title odds went over in the NBA (2011-12), and eight of the 12 worst went over in the NHL (2012-13). It didn't always translate to a playoff berth, but it's worth betting high on some of oddsmakers' least favorite teams.
Interestingly, after each of the three work stoppages in the 2010s, there were more overs than unders among all teams' win totals - with many of them coming from the top and bottom crop of clubs. If you can't decide which middle-tier teams to ride, just bet high on the extremes using history as your compass.
Expect scoring lull
Previous work stoppages have taught us that offenses can have a tough time getting going.
In 1994-95, the NHL saw a significant drop in goals per game (2.99) after years of hovering around 3.5 or higher. The NBA's offensive rating in 1998-99 (102.2) still ranks as the lowest since 1978, and the league's rating in 2011-12 (104.6) is the worst since 2004.
We didn't see a dip in scoring after the NFL's 2011 lockout, but that could change this year if the summer schedule is affected. Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, said he expects totals could drop by 3-4 points if the NFL schedule is affected by delays. That could prove even more costly for offenses with new pieces in place, as we broke down on Thursday.
The market will likely catch up to this right away, so there may not be any value for bettors. But don't be afraid to fade offenses if totals seem a bit high to start the NFL, NBA, or NHL seasons after any potential delays, even with all three leagues trending up in scoring.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.
Athletes everywhere continue to get creative as they deal with their respective leagues being on hiatus. Some are better at it than others. Every Sunday throughout May, we'll look back on the week that was before crowning a quarantine king or queen. Here are the top isolation moments from the sports world over the last seven days.
10. Harper's bat-drop in midseason form
Bryce Harper is taking the night-owl approach to his training regimen. His late-night trip to the batting cages revealed his smooth swing is right where it ought to be, but more importantly, he's got that effortless bat-drop in fine form. Someone's ready for the season to start.
With no soccer matches to play in Spain (for now), Barcelona created an animated series to keep younger fans engaged and entertained. The cartoon, "Talent Explorers," follows the adventures of a 15-year-old boy, a giant bear, and a tech-savvy kitten as they search the globe for the next Barca star.
Barça Studios to make Talent Explorers animated series
— FC Barcelona (from 🏠) (@FCBarcelona) May 15, 2020
8. Herro's short-lived hairdo
Miami Heat rookie Tyler Herro turned heads last week after unveiling his new hairdo. While he quickly ditched the look, Herro promised the braids would return. Should they, though? You be the judge.
Braden Holtby is used to saving the day for the Washington Capitals, but in quarantine, he's shifted his focus to saving stranded kittens. Holtby and a herd of civilians lured this frightened kitty out of hiding with a can of tuna. Heartwarming.
Tonight, our evening walk turned into a rescue mission to save a sweet (& very frightened) kitten who was hiding in a little hole on the Woodrow Wilson bridge! pic.twitter.com/WxXrbQMJON
Based on his crazy quarantine workouts, Baltimore Ravens receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is ready to put on a show in Year 2. Pray for the NFL defenses that have to deal with the combined speed of Brown and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.
Just like everyone else stuck in quarantine, NFL players are struggling for ways to fill their days. In a hilarious spoof video, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry tries his hand at the common lockdown pastimes.
Keep-ups, unicycles, and slam dunks, all from a ... hockey player? Kudos to Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg and his girlfriend for coordinating one of the most impressive trick shots we've seen during quarantine.
Unicycle trick shots!? Yeah, keep these coming, please. 🙏
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen is doing his best to pass the time during quarantine, and that includes putting in work on the stationary bike ... even when he really doesn't feel like it. This week, he found a decent compromise. He's just like the rest of us trying to stay in shape right now.
Drew Brees owns the best career completion percentage (67.6%) in NFL history, and the 41-year-old showed why his accuracy is still unmatched after nailing an "underwater blind basketball trick shot" from around 40 yards away, much to the delight of his sons.
1. Brown drops Mother's Day single
Jaylen Brown and his brother Quenton may have won Mother's Day with their own rendition of 50 Cent's hit single "21 Questions." Last Sunday, the Boston Celtics star released a music video on his Instagram account showing love and appreciation for all moms. Here's the Brown family's hot track in all of its glory.
Jaylen Brown and his brother Quenton deserve a Grammy for this Mother’s Day performance. (via JB’s IG) pic.twitter.com/xyH6BKHjCz
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The NHL and the NHLPA are making progress on a 24-team playoff format, sources told TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
While there's still work to be done, the Return To Play committee's meeting over the weekend produced some traction, LeBrun reports.
It was reported Monday that the league was focusing on going straight to the playoffs rather than finishing the regular season if it's able to resume play.
A 24-team playoff format would mean every Western Conference team except the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks would make the playoffs. In the East, only the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings would miss out.
