The NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who were fully vaccinated after the All-Star outage in early February, and say coronavirus cases are still declining across the league.
The league and players’ association announced the protocol changes on Tuesday. The current policy will remain in place until the All-Star break begins on February 3rd.
Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, who is expected to be behind the bench for the Metropolitan Division at All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, called the change “common sense.”
“The players did everything they could, did all their vaccinations – all those things they could do,” Brind’Amour said.
‘I do not know why they would test them, to be honest with you, if they are asymptomatic, so I agree with this decision. I think it’s a good one. “
Asymptomatic individuals will still be tested when necessary to cross the US-Canada border. Tests will not be required at All-Star Weekend, with one negative result needed to return to team facilities after the break.
The 90-day test “holiday” for players, coaches and staff recovering from COVID-19 will remain in place.
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New York Islanders forward Matt Martin pointed out that with the playoffs just a little over three months away, not testing asymptomatic players is a smart move that could prevent schedules from being decimated at that time.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Martin said. “Hopefully we can continue to move forward and return to a normal way of life.”
New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) celebrates with right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15) after his empty-net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Monday, January 17, 2022, in Elmont , NY AP Photo / Jim McIsaac).
AP Photo / Jim McIsaac
The NHL and NHLPA also agreed to keep the five-day isolation period that took effect on December 29, a reduction of 10 after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control updated its virus extension. The league and union will review protocols, including improved rules currently in place, on January 31 as long as business continues to decline.
A total of 160 players entered between 20 December and 11 January after 208 in the two weeks before the chance on COVID protocol. All players on active rosters have been vaccinated except Tyler Bertuzzi of Detroit.
So far this season, 104 games have been postponed, including several due to attendance restrictions in Canada.
The league is expected to announce a spate of rescheduled matches on Wednesday, including many being postponed in the two weeks previously set aside for the Olympics, which will continue without NHL players due to the schedule disruption.
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Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat and Montreal Canadiens forwards Cole Caufield and Joel Armia signed minutes on Tuesday. The Canucks are concluding a five-game trip to the US, and there is some concern about Horvat, goalkeeper Jaroslav Halak and forward Conor Garland not being able to cross the border in a few days.
“I’m not the border agent, so I have no idea what the process is,” Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau said Sunday.
“It just seems like it’s one a day with our group. That is a shame.”
© 2022 The Associated Press
Reference-globalnews.ca