Our guess is that both are cleared, but according to Bob McKenzie of TSN, there’s a chance that both the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers could be without some significant pieces during the play-in and possible playoffs.
McKenzie notes that the league has the ability to deem players unfit to play if they think they’re higher risk for contracting COVID-19, especially if it will do serious damage.
The clause reads as follows:
“Players who are determined to be at substantial risk of developing a serious illness as a result of exposure to the novel coronavirus shall be deemed to be unfit to play and shall not be permitted to participate either in Phase 3 or 4.”
McKenzie cites both Max Domi and Kaapo Kakko as examples of this clause having an affect because both players have celiac disease and are Type 1 diabetics. He notes that both Domi and Kakko have declared their intentions to play, which means they’ll need to go through an extra step, which includes a doctor signing off during their pre-Phase 3 medicals.
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What Are the Chances This Actually Happens
The NHL certainly doesn’t want to exclude either player. The clause is more there to protect both the players and the league from a situation that seems inevitable, should one arise.
There is, of course, the chance that some players on any of the 24 teams will elect to sit out and the new CBA cites that there would be no punishment for doing so. The expectation is that no one will sit. Ken Campbell of The Hockey News seems adamant that none of the players will sit.
“Here’s a bold prediction, a hot take, if you will. Of the 744 players – 31 for each of the 24 teams taking part – who will be eligible to play in the playoffs starting in August, I don’t believe a single one will opt out of playing. Not one. No number of positive cases of COVID, which is essentially at 35 and counting, no amount of risk and the possibility of not making anything more beyond playoff bonus money will keep these guys off the ice.”
Forcing a team to sit players is different. It means a team is at a clear disadvantage as mandated by the NHL.
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