NHL Faces Another COVID Outbreak

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Thursday morning started with the dark clouds of more nasty COVID-19 updates rolling through my head, feeling like someone had actually peed on my cornflakes.

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However, sometime along the way, a bright light appeared on the real world and the incredible adaptability of the sports world.

As the day began, new news about the Omicron wave and the huge surge in positive cases was on the air, along with the idea that thousands upon thousands of Canadians might be watching another holiday season with limited family contact.

Consequently, I went to take my scheduled booster dose, contemplating the impact of all of the above so that the games we watch pass the time.

In particular, what it means for the hockey world.

Sands in Ontario, including the Canadian Tire Center and TD Place, have been forced to step back again, returning to half capacity. So far the possible rebound in attendance at CTC thanks to the dynamic line of young senators from Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson.

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In Calgary, another 10 Calgary Flames players were placed on the COVID-19 protocol, bringing the organization’s total to 27. Yes, 27. Flames games have been postponed until at least Saturday.

And then there are the five Florida Panthers, the three Boston Bruins, and the two Arizona Coyotes added to the protocol lists. In the run-up to their game Thursday night, the Carolina Hurricanes were contemplating going with just 18 players, two short of the maximum, due to their own COVID crisis.

Others are missing here as well, but it’s hard to keep track as the running total keeps changing.
Surely, is it about time Gary Bettman hit the pause button on the season? And after weighing the potential risks against the possible rewards, shouldn’t the players’ association have chosen not to send players to Beijing? (Don’t get us started with the Olympics in general.)

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They are difficult decisions, without a doubt. It all resulted in an unsettling read on the Twitter machine, as I stood in line waiting to be beaten up for the third time in nine months.

It was then that the largest image appeared. Time passed and the line barely budged in what eventually became a two-and-a-half hour wait from the scheduled dating session at the University of Ottawa. They were under-staffed and overwhelmed, promising to improve in the next few days.

However, aside from a few minor complaints, there were few complaints.

Instead, there was a general understanding of what is sometimes necessary to overcome a pandemic.

There are sacrifices, big and small, along the way.

If you dare to look back 21 months ago, it’s hard to imagine that thousands of people would willingly line up outside in an orderly fashion, wearing masks, to get a needle. For much of that period of time, the world of sports has been there to help divert attention from stress and anxiety.

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There have been many critics of how the various leagues have gone about their business to stay in business, even in this corner, but they have certainly adapted in trying to make it work.

It seems like forever ago, but the NHL successfully managed the summer bubble formats in Toronto and Edmonton before crowning Tampa Bay as Stanley Cup champions in September 2020.

Last season brought the campaign shortened with new divisions, including the novelty of the all-Canadian setup.

The Great White North group was great at first, but the idea of ​​seeing the same teams over and over again grew weary as the season progressed. However, it was the only way it was going to work to cope with the mandates not to cross borders.

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Along the way, the NHL went from having no fans to having fans limited to full capacity south of the border, as Tampa won its second straight title.

Now, with COVID-19 back with a vengeance once again, we are back to having limited fans again. At least in Canada, anyway.

The difference this time is that all but a select few players have been vaccinated. For the most part, the symptoms of the players who tested positive have been relatively minor.

That’s a good thing as the NHL and its players contemplate their next critical moves in trying to weather the crisis.

It appears to be another test of adaptability for everyone involved, including the fans.

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