Report: NHL testing plans for outdoor game in Raleigh
As unbelievable as it is, there are some NHL franchises that have not yet played an outdoor game and the Carolina Hurricanes are one of them. That could potentially change in the near future.
The most likely location would be at the home of the NC State Wolfpack football team, Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
And the NHL has already been there, testing out the field.
Cones set up at Carter-Finley. My guess is about 200 feet long and about 85 feet wide... pic.twitter.com/gkJvU4v6HA
— Dennis Cox (@TheFanRookie) November 25, 2019
Well, the NHL is certainly not hiding its presence while testing out the grounds for a potential outdoor game.
According to Cory Lavalette of North State Journal, the league is definitely in the area and making plans for an upcoming event.
Sources told me the NHL is in town today (hence the cones at Carter-Finley) and they are ironing out plans for Raleigh to get an outdoor game. One source said it could come together quickly.
— Cory Lavalette (@corylav) November 25, 2019
Although the Hurricanes were not mentioned, one has to assume that they will be involved.
Even NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has previously acknowledged the opportunity that North Carolina has in hosting this type of event.
“Yes, we are taking it very seriously and looking at the possibility,” he told The News & Observer in Feb. 2019.
With no announcement yet, it’s mostly rumours, and Bettman made sure that there was nothing official in place.
“I don’t want to mislead anybody or say anything or promise anything until I’m sure,” continued Bettman earlier this year. “We have some more work to do, we have a variety of arrangements to make. As important as anything else, if we decide we want to do it, I have to make sure it’s OK with N.C. State.”
The Hurricanes are just one of six NHL teams that have not yet been involved in an outdoor game.
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