The next National Hockey League draft is scheduled to take place at the Bell Centre, but according to Gary Bettman, the event could be staged elsewhere.
Posted at 7:08 p.m.
At least that’s what the commissioner of the NHL suggested during his traditional speech on the sidelines of the All-Star Game, this time in Las Vegas on Friday night.
According to Bettman, the health measures currently in force in Quebec could compromise the holding of the draft in Montreal, scheduled for July 7 and 8 at the home of the Canadiens.
“We want to present the draft on site and in front of fans at the Bell Center on the dates scheduled,” he said. But if the current measures are still in place at that time, then we won’t be able to have fans in the stands, and also, I don’t think we will be able to accommodate all the NHL team personnel to hold the repechage. If so, then we will have to consider an option other than the draft in Montreal. »
In the immediate future, it is of course a little too early to predict the evolution of health measures in Quebec and at the Bell Centre.
In a recent interview with The PressFrance Margaret Bélanger, President Sports and Entertainment of the CH group, had said she hoped for a reduction in the measures from the end of February, in the hope that the Canadian could play matches in front of the stands 50% occupied at the Bell Center at the March.
It remains to be seen if all this will lead to an open Bell Center without any restrictions at the time of the draft in the summer.
“We know that the management of the Canadian is in contact with the government, and that it is very difficult for the club to play in an empty arena, added Bettman. We will eventually reach a deadline in this file, and we will make a decision, while judging the situation. We hope that these measures can be lifted shortly. It’s very frustrating for the teams in Canada. »
On this subject, the commissioner of the NHL made a point of saying that the Canadian teams were clearly in a weak position compared to the American teams, letting it be known that some teams from Canada had explored the possibility of playing local games in the United States.
Clearly, Gary Bettman is not happy with the current situation in Canadian arenas. “It hurts to see Canadian teams having to play in empty arenas. In addition, if I understood correctly, it is allowed to go to restaurants and bars in Canada. »
Of note, Bill Daly, the commissioner’s right-hand man, suggested that the draft could be held in virtual format, a suggestion that did not seem to please Gary Bettman.
“No, if it doesn’t work [à Montréal]I think we’re going to have to go somewhere else, ”he replied.