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5 neutral sites the NHL could play at if the 2019-20 season resumes

By Mary Clarke

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: The ice and spectator seating is empty prior to the Detroit Red Wings playing against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Yesterday, the NBA suspended their season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The NHL said per a release, that the uncertainty regarding next steps regarding the coronavirus, Clubs were advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings today. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: The ice and spectator seating is empty prior to the Detroit Red Wings playing against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. Yesterday, the NBA suspended their season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The NHL said per a release, that the uncertainty regarding next steps regarding the coronavirus, Clubs were advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings today. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, NH – MARCH 30: Cale Makar #16 of the Massachusetts Minutemen exits the ice after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional Championship final at the SNHU Arena on March 30, 2019 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Minutemen won 4-0 to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, NH – MARCH 30: Cale Makar #16 of the Massachusetts Minutemen exits the ice after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional Championship final at the SNHU Arena on March 30, 2019 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Minutemen won 4-0 to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Manchester, New Hampshire

Another of the more talked-about neutral site ideas. Manchester, New Hampshire plays host to Southern New Hampshire University Arena (SNHU Arena), another rink that has been in the eyes of many during this pandemic.

SNHU Arena has played host to Boston Bruins preseason games before, so the league is familiar with the rink from previous uses. Again, this rink can hold nearly 10,000 for ice hockey games, and while that space would not be needed for fans, the extra space may be useful for other things the NHL could provide during this time.

New Hampshire remains one of the United States’ least impacted regions in terms of coronavirus cases as well, which would make this location a good one for the NHL in lessening its impact on the local residences and businesses.

Much like the other cities on this list, the big questions the NHL would have to answer would be if there was space in the city to lodge the necessary people to pull this off. Given Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire, plus its proximity to Concord, the league may not have a problem finding accommodations for its personnel.

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