A The NHL is apparently not playing around with vaccinations for the upcoming season. Last night, a memo was sent out that explained what the changes will be for players who have been vaccinated and those not.
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The vaccine-vaccinated players will be allowed to experience a normal experience. They only need to be tested once every three days. They can go out for food and they can also visit bars. Unvaccinated players cannot travel from one hotel to another on the road and are not allowed to associate with people outside of their home.
The real deal is that unvaccinated team members can be suspended if they are unable to attend team activities because of the virus. They will also not get paid for any time they spend away from the team while on a COVID roster. They will be tested each day.
The NHL took such severe measures to ensure that players were vaccinated because the NHL was the only league with a strong suspicion of having on-ice transmission. While the NBA also had its problems, sidelining players because of interactions with teammates who tested positive was more likely due to close contact than being positive. The NHL is clearly going to do all it can to reduce the chances of players passing the virus to one another in corners. You can't imagine how hockey players will be motivated to get vaccinated by their peers heading to bars on the roads without them.
Although the NHL doesn't require players to get vaccinated every season, it does everything in its power to ensure that those who do not have their shots are not forced to live with the consequences. They are doing a great job. This is enough bullshit.
