Leafs in COVID Protocol Discussion
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Alexander Kerfoot (Dec. 17), John Tavares (Dec. 17), Jason Spezza (Dec. 17), Wayne Simmonds (Dec. 17), Jack Campbell (Dec. 18), T.J. Brodie (Dec. 18), Travis Dermott (Dec. 18), Sheldon Keefe (head coach, Dec. 18), Spencer Carbery (assistant coach, Dec. 18)
- The Maple Leafs also placed two members of the team’s support staff in protocol (Dec. 20)
- The Maple Leafs also placed two members of the team’s support staff in protocol (Dec. 20)
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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Silly question, but does anyone know what protocol actually entails? And what kind of testing is required to get out of protocol?
I seem to recall reading that the NHL cannot disclose that a player has a specific illness, so they refer to them as having entered Covid protocol.
It doesn't necessarily mean they are infected (see Nylander last season) but it most cases, there are positive test results.
But I'm not 100% on that.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas looks ahead as postponements and COVID-19 uncertainty grow - The Athletic
How is everybody doing?
Dubas said he’d spoken, repeatedly, with the first four players placed in the protocol and that all were in “good spirits and doing well.”
Only one player — Dubas didn’t reveal who — was experiencing symptoms, which included fever, chills and body aches, according to the GM. Another player had dealt with mild symptoms, but those had since dissipated. The other two were asymptomatic.
All were isolating.
It’s unclear, at this point, how the remaining three players and coaches are faring.
The Leafs did not gather as a group after the cancellation of Friday’s practice, though the team was hopeful to fly home from Vancouver on Saturday afternoon. The team was communicating through group chats and emails.
A “very optional” skate was held Saturday morning for those players who returned negative tests Friday (PCR) and Saturday morning (antigen) and were preparing to face the Canucks. Unease was evident to the GM.
“I think everyone’s a little on edge and unsure of what’s happening,” Dubas said.
He found them mostly concerned about the then-pending trip to Seattle, what it would look like if, say, a player tested positive there and was looking to return home.
Dubas had been in contact with Oilers GM Ken Holland about what it might look like for the team crossing the border into Seattle in light of everything going on. That was before the postponement.
How is everybody doing?
Dubas said he’d spoken, repeatedly, with the first four players placed in the protocol and that all were in “good spirits and doing well.”
Only one player — Dubas didn’t reveal who — was experiencing symptoms, which included fever, chills and body aches, according to the GM. Another player had dealt with mild symptoms, but those had since dissipated. The other two were asymptomatic.
All were isolating.
It’s unclear, at this point, how the remaining three players and coaches are faring.
The Leafs did not gather as a group after the cancellation of Friday’s practice, though the team was hopeful to fly home from Vancouver on Saturday afternoon. The team was communicating through group chats and emails.
A “very optional” skate was held Saturday morning for those players who returned negative tests Friday (PCR) and Saturday morning (antigen) and were preparing to face the Canucks. Unease was evident to the GM.
“I think everyone’s a little on edge and unsure of what’s happening,” Dubas said.
He found them mostly concerned about the then-pending trip to Seattle, what it would look like if, say, a player tested positive there and was looking to return home.
Dubas had been in contact with Oilers GM Ken Holland about what it might look like for the team crossing the border into Seattle in light of everything going on. That was before the postponement.
So now the whole league is shut down until after Christmas.
It's only two days – December 22 and 23rd – but there were a lot of games to be played on December 23 if they weren't already postponed.
Personally, I'm less interested in whether this was a good decision or a bad decision – we already pretty much know who is on which side of that fence – and more interested in how this affects the Toronto Maple Leafs and their chances of success when the league resumes play.
Any thoughts?
It's only two days – December 22 and 23rd – but there were a lot of games to be played on December 23 if they weren't already postponed.
Personally, I'm less interested in whether this was a good decision or a bad decision – we already pretty much know who is on which side of that fence – and more interested in how this affects the Toronto Maple Leafs and their chances of success when the league resumes play.
Any thoughts?
I do think it helps the Leafs now that everyone is shutdown.
There is a huge difference from getting a couple days off and having 13 days off where they were not allowed to practice anymore.
Teams that came off a Covid shutdown this year have struggled out of the gate so I hope the Leafs, or any team for that matter don't have the same fate
Like everyone else, I'm unhappy that COVID-19 is going through the National Hockey League, but the pause in play is allowing Mitch Marner to recover from his shoulder injury a bit longer while the league is shut down.
Maybe Marner will be ready to go when play resumes?
Maybe Marner will be ready to go when play resumes?
What do we think the odds are that the NHL comes back on the 27th? I will go out on a limb and guess the situation won't be any better by then. Will they allow cross border games or are they going to have to bubble for a little while?
So much unknown right now.
I think I agree with the decision for now, and hopefully we learn more about the impact this variant has on the general population. If there are infections with minimal impact to the health system for vaccinated people, then I think we are all going to have to get to the point where we accept this as a part of our lives. Each person will then have to decide how exposed they want to be, and again, deal with those consequences (if there are any). I think for those 15 or so percent who are not vaccinated, they have already made their choice.
I think the idea is for the league to get (most) everyone back on the healthy side and start up again with the enhanced protocols in place; with the hope this will reduce the likelihood of more outbreaks like we have seen.
I do take issue with only testing those who show symptoms, simply because we know an asymptomatic player can spread to other players, and it would be naive to think those who catch it from the asymptomatic would also be asymptomatic... and what does that mean for the infected players families etc etc. If this was a bubble situation, I'd say yea, sure, do whatever... but that is not the case and I think it is irresponsible to knowingly spead a disease even if the illness appears to be mild for most.
I think I agree with the decision for now, and hopefully we learn more about the impact this variant has on the general population. If there are infections with minimal impact to the health system for vaccinated people, then I think we are all going to have to get to the point where we accept this as a part of our lives. Each person will then have to decide how exposed they want to be, and again, deal with those consequences (if there are any). I think for those 15 or so percent who are not vaccinated, they have already made their choice.
I think the idea is for the league to get (most) everyone back on the healthy side and start up again with the enhanced protocols in place; with the hope this will reduce the likelihood of more outbreaks like we have seen.
I do take issue with only testing those who show symptoms, simply because we know an asymptomatic player can spread to other players, and it would be naive to think those who catch it from the asymptomatic would also be asymptomatic... and what does that mean for the infected players families etc etc. If this was a bubble situation, I'd say yea, sure, do whatever... but that is not the case and I think it is irresponsible to knowingly spead a disease even if the illness appears to be mild for most.
I have a hunch, they will test everybody on December 26 and take it from there.
It's really impossible to predict the testing results at this point. Maybe the wave has crested. Maybe it hasn't. Only time will really tell.
There will be issues until the spring when hopefully cases will finally start to drop. If they keep the current restrictions there won't be much hockey until late April
They should be looking into a North division like last season right now so boarder crossings are kept to a minimum for the foreseeable future
Then if you want to try no tests for people without symptoms you can
Like the NFL
This COVID variant is extremely transmissible and since it's winter lots of people will be indoors together so let's not bother praying for a change it's time to be proactive and get this season going ASAP
Anthrax442
Registered User
fancy lad
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- Nov 22, 2021
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I hate the idea of a canadian division and i don't understand why cross border travel within the NHL is becoming an issue again. stupid. If the government wants to shut down travel between the general public then that's one thing, but surely an exception can be made to allow professional athletes to travel for the purpose of work.
Having pro sports continue normally is a big part of A LOT of people's mental health and just good for morale in general. Travel restriction doesn't have to be black and white. There should be an exception for pro athletes in the big 4 leagues. It's totally reasonable.
Having pro sports continue normally is a big part of A LOT of people's mental health and just good for morale in general. Travel restriction doesn't have to be black and white. There should be an exception for pro athletes in the big 4 leagues. It's totally reasonable.
I think the odds are very slim. IMO they are going to have to revamp the schedule to reduce the number of games, and figure out how to deal with the border issue. That's going to take some time.
I would guess a 6 week break.
Did all boys get back? Heard there were 4 charters. Negative tests, Indeterminate tests, positive with symptoms and positive asymptomatic. Lots of back and forth across country on MLSE bird.
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
Yeah, it doesn't look like we'll be able to ice a legitimate team for a little while.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
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The way Covid seems to be ripping through organizations and possibly via in game transmission if we’ll have half the league having Covid by the end of Christmas and New Year break. Hope everyone in hockey gets through this safe and sound and can try to enjoy their time off.
ULF_55
Moderator
Maybe should just shutdown the AHL, and move all players to the NHL.
Suspend some of the roster size restrictions and waiver rules and entertain.
Okay, yeah I understand rules are rules and it is better to shut it down than to break some rules.
Torontonian
Registered User
I don't understand if the NHL wanted to be able to complete a full season, why not just have a taxi squad again this season and be able to "recall" player from there without them having to clear waivers? Sure at some point of the season teams would more then likely be icing a AHL lineup, but at least the games are still being played.
I think the NHL is going to change the testing rules, provided they can get a waiver to travel between countries with asymptomatic players.
Coachcorner
Senor Martinez
- Sep 28, 2017
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Is Tavares going to be ready for the u.s columbus blue jackets game next week the 27th sire? Does anybody know? He doesn't have to stay in canada no?
It depends if he can produce a negative test before they go. It also depends on whether or not he was one of the asymptomatic players or if he was the one with symptoms.
