The NHL season is coming quicker than everybody thinks, and with that, the league is trying to figure out the best way to handle the COVID-19 situation. With some players being vaccinated and some being unvaccinated, the NHL handed down an announcement to the teams on Thursday afternoon.
The new protocols are interesting, although not entirely surprising. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the notice states that unvaccinated players won’t be paid for missing time.
Unvaccinated players won’t be paid for each day they cannot perform their duties. That includes if the player contracts the virus, is determined to be a high-risk close contact of a COVID-19 positive work-related contact or if that player is unable to fly into Canada or other local and state jurisdictions because he’s unvaccinated.
That seems a bit harsh to some extent, but the NHL has made it clear that they want to do anything possible. But, that isn’t all, and it is clear the NHL doesn’t want to deal with any circumstances, especially with the frequent traveling between the US and Canada.
Per the release, players could even receive a suspension.
“…will allow teams to suspend unvaccinated players who are “unable to participate in club activities.”
The protocols are lengthy, but the NHL isn’t taking any chances with anything. This season should be interesting, and if anything, this urges more NHL players to get vaccinated.
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