When the National Hockey League resumes play after the coronavirus pandemic eases, non-NHL arenas won't be utilized, according to commissioner Gary Bettman.

Interviewed on Wednesday by Sportsnet's Ron MacLean on Facebook, Bettman said that the options include restarting in two to four of the regularly used venues.

Bettman acknowledged that all contingencies remain iffy.

"We're modeling," he said. "We're trying to see what our options will be under whatever scenario unfolds. The decision ultimately will be made by medical people and people who run governments at all different levels. So we're not going to try to do anything that flies in the face of what we are being told is appropriate."

In terms of when action might resume, Bettman said:"This isn't a race. The stakes are too important.

"While some players may have been able to work out in terms of physical strength over the last few weeks, the fact is, none of our guys really have been on skates.

"We're going to have to make sure that they're in game-ready condition because we don't want to put them on the ice and risk injury and their careers. So we're going to need time to come back right."