NHL to stop testing asymptomatic players, staff for COVID-19 after All-Star break

11:36 AM

The NHL plans to stop testing after the All-Star break, according to sources.

The NHL and NHLPA will meet again later this month to assess the climate and make a decision on the matter.

All players and staffers will still be tested by the NHL before crossing the border. The players who show symptoms will have to be tested.

Increased outbreak across the league forced a rash of postponements, and the NHL and NHLPA shifted to daily testing as part of enhanced protocols in December. The league has made some changes since then, including reducing the isolation period for positive tests from 10 days to five days for players who are not sick. Taxi squads were reintroduced by the NHL to help keep the season going.

The NHL is holding its All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Sources say that the plan is to test players before they arrive, but not through the weekend.

Many players in the NHL have pleaded with the NHL to reduce its testing.

Ryan O'Reilly, captain of the St. Louis Blues, said in December that they have got guys vaccinations. Some guys aren't showing any symptoms and are popping in the COVID protocol. I would like to see testing if you have symptoms, but it's not up to me. It's a league decision.

Steve Yzerman was an advocate for less testing.

In December, Yzerman said that the players were testing positive with very little symptoms. I don't see it threatening their health at this point. I think we need to ask why we are testing guys that have no symptoms.

The data shows that over 70% of the league has tested positive. The NHL does not test a player for 90 days after a positive test.

Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi is the only player in the NHL who is unvaccinated.

Sources say that the booster vaccine will not be required this season.