{"id":78634,"date":"2020-06-21T08:30:55","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T12:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=78634"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:49:17","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T19:49:17","slug":"nhl-rumours-hub-cities-rangers-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/06\/21\/nhl-rumours-hub-cities-rangers-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Hub Cities, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s a Father&#8217;s Day edition of our <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/rumours\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NHL Rumours<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/2020\/06\/20\/report-nhl-to-begin-play-july-30\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NHL is hoping they can start<\/a> Phase 3 and 4 in July. There are plenty of rumours about that and other things going on to tide you over until the possible return of the 2019-20 season. We have NHL rumours surrounding the possible hub cities, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/rangers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Rangers<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/stars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dallas Stars<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n<h3>NHL Rumours<\/h3>\n<h3>Playoff Hub Cities<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: The league has reportedly cut its list of 10 hub cities down to six and all three Canadian choices are in the mix. TSN and The Athletic&#8217;s Pierre LeBrun added that the NHL and NHLPA hope to have the two cities named some time next week. The Canadian government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thescore.com\/news\/1978174\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">approved the NHL&#8217;s quarantine plan<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The hope\/expectation is for the NHL\/NHLPA to agree on the 2 hub cities by the end of this upcoming week. Time is of the essence, the league needs to negotiate deals with both hub cities (hotels, etc) once selected<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PierreVLeBrun\/status\/1274459592551018498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 20, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Vancouver Picking up Steam?<\/h4>\n<p><em>Sportsnet&#8217;s Satiar Shah added that Vancouver is picking up steam as a location. He also stated that league is close to a decision on locations. The NHL is also still on forging ahead on its timeline despite the recent increase of positive COVID-19 tests.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vancouver has picked up steam as being a NHL hub city, the league is getting closer to making a decision<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SatiarShah\/status\/1274412905639800832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 20, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Sportsnet&#8217;s Elliote Friedman <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FriedgeHNIC\/status\/1274423808456359936\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tossed out Vancouver and Vegas<\/a> as possible front-runners to get the spots. Naming the hub cities will cap a busy week that includes the draft lottery, safety protocol vote and CBA framework.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> It makes sense that the league is trying to name the two spots soon. The NHL has to start negotiating for hotel space and other items needed to run the post-season. This is a big undertaking and the league wants to do it right.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a bit of concern with the United States seeing a large spike in cases. The recent round of testing revealed 11 players, including <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/matthau01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong> as positive for the coronavirus. Some are calling for a cancellation of the season, but there were a handful of positives before European soccer leagues returned to play.<\/p>\n<p>Canada could be a better bet because of the lower positive cases like some parts of the U.S. Chicago did enact strict guidelines that&#8221;flattened the curve.&#8221; However, no other American cities, except for Vegas are known as of now.<\/p>\n<h3>New York Rangers<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Larry Brooks of the New York Post said that former seventh overall pick <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/anderli01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lias Andersson<\/a><\/strong> won&#8217;t be part of the training camp. The former first-rounder in the 2017 NHL Draft is opting to stay in Sweden.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Post has learned that Lias Andersson has decided to remain in Sweden. Rangers had talked to him about joining team for 2020 training camp, but seventh-overall from 2017 opted against accepting invite&#8230;So it ends until there&#39;s a trade&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NYP_Brooksie\/status\/1273731749395279872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 18, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Brooks speculated that it has to be the end of the young Swede&#8217;s time with the Blueshirts. However, team president <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/davidjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Davidson<\/a><\/strong> said that Andersson wants to be a Ranger. Davidson added that they&#8217;ll discuss where Andersson fits into the lineup before the start of the 2020-21 season.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis:<\/em> Andersson has struggled to find a spot in the lineup as he&#8217;s only played 68 games over three seasons. He never regained his confidence after being sent down. He and <span class=\"st\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/chytifi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Filip Chytil<\/a><\/strong> got demoted at the start of the season, but Chytil forced his way back into the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Many have questioned Andersson&#8217;s heart and don&#8217;t think he&#8217;ll play for the Rangers again. He&#8217;s been the subject of previous trade rumours and some want management to trade him.<\/p>\n<p>Andersson will play in Sweden if he isn&#8217;t traded. If he doesn&#8217;t decide to return to the Rangers next season. Dealing Andersson would be another case of the club whiffing on a first-round selection.<\/p>\n<h3>Dallas Stars<\/h3>\n<p><em>Rumour: Sean Shapiro of The Athletic<a href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/1864494\/2020\/06\/11\/stars-mailbag-vol-59-best-pixar-movie-stars-as-ninja-turtles-hockey\/?source=emp_shared_article\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> hosted a mailbag<\/a> on what the Stars will do in the off-season. One of the main priorities is re-signing goalie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/khudoan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anton Khudobin<\/a> to a new contract. They said a new deal for him would be a priority.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>General manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nillji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jim Nill<\/a><\/strong> is safe, but the fate of interim coach<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bowneri01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rick Bowness<\/a><\/strong> is undecided. Results will dictate if Bowness stays long-term or he might be a temporary solution.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Analysis<\/em>: Khudobin has done well splitting time with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bishobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Bishop<\/a> in the Dallas crease. The Russian finished the regular season at 16-8-4 with a 2.22 goals-against-average and .930 save percentage. His save percentage this season is a career-best for the 11-year veteran.<\/p>\n<p>He is 34 years old, but he&#8217;s a good option for the oft-injured Bishop. Khudobin has played for Dallas since the 2018-19 season. It&#8217;s not a bad thing to have a veteran backup ready to go just in case.<\/p>\n<p>Bowness has a record of 20-13-5 since taking over for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/montgji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jim Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> earlier in the season. Dallas managed to snag one of the top-four seeds to skip the qualifying round. Bowness has only made the post-season once a head coach and that was with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boston Bruins<\/a> in the 1991-92 season. However, he&#8217;s helped steady the ship since he&#8217;s gotten the job.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 520px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/529984\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 68.07692% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/529984?et=OLUO5frZQmxv1x8-a7OVog&amp;tld=ca&amp;sig=NO1_Bfnvbmldqb9aa6kEkfsdjMtA1CeaPXUpx9eSdi0=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"520\" height=\"354\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s a Father&#8217;s Day edition of our NHL Rumours. The NHL is hoping they can start Phase 3 and 4 in July. There are plenty of rumours about that and other things going on to tide you over until the possible return of the 2019-20 season. We have NHL rumours surrounding the possible hub cities, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":78638,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4321,29,2,4547,14,4548],"tags":[4565,801,4675,1654,1575,287,934,5715,3877,4082,4150],"class_list":["post-78634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rumours","category-stars","category-featured","category-hockey","category-rangers","category-nhl","tag-2020-stanley-cup-playoffs","tag-anton-khudobin","tag-covid-19","tag-filip-chytil","tag-jim-nill","tag-john-davidson","tag-lias-andersson","tag-nhl-rumors","tag-nhl-rumours","tag-rick-bowness","tag-rumours"],"modified_by":"Jim Biringer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78634"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78634\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}