NHL

Toronto, Edmonton selected as NHL hub cities

Carolina Hurricanes v Boston Bruins - Game One (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, have been selected as the NHL’s hub cities to host the qualifying round and at least first two playoff rounds of the league’s 24-team expanded playoff format, a person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the league and the NHL Players’ Association have not released this information, which was included in the tentative return to play agreement reached Monday. Should the proposal be ratified by both sides, teams would travel to both cities on July 26 for exhibition games, followed by the preliminary rounds starting on Aug. 1 to determine the 16-team playoffs and their seeding.

The person said the league is in part being cautious and allowing itself flexibility in the event of potential spikes in COVID-19 infections in not yet determining which cities will host the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.

-- Reporting by AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow

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