[News] 6 Dallas Stars test positive for Covid. Start of Stars' season is delayed.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by dino7c

16 games per team...1 a week with a bye in there

They had covid outbreaks a day before games and still didn’t delay games. They’re giving the Stars 11 days off.

My point is it’s possible. This is why they implemented taxi squads. This should not be considered the norm and the NHL should take a hard stance on enforcing the rules. And if the stars followed all the rules and still had this outbreak, probably need to reassess the rules.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Fire

If it's only 6 players then why are they not forced to still play? They still have enough players.

Good point.

If this happens to another team during the season, will they have the choice to postpone games, or will they be forced to use their taxi squad players and push through?

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Fire

If it's only 6 players then why are they not forced to still play? They still have enough players.

I imagine they have been in close contact with other players so want to get some more testing done, while still allowing them to have more training camp time.

With Canada I think they should be having a lot more on their Taxi squads, we may just see a team play with only three lines or 5 defencemen in a game or two.

[Icon]

well this throws off picking Stars for my fantasy league at the draft on Sunday....

[AustinL_NHL]

Clearly getting infected on purpose just so Seguin has more time to heal

*I joke as someone who currently has covid and has been annoyingly isolating for a week with numerous bad symptoms so leave the pitchforks at home*

[Canada 02]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1347578161949794304

Adam Clendening is the 17th player

[Mass_nerder]

Grigorenko is still grinding it out in NA??

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Grigorenko is still grinding it out in NA??

Signed this offseason after 3 years in the KHL. Actually, I believe he had signed prior to the return to play but the contract was rejected by the league so I'm not sure when he officially signed

[ricardodw]

Postponing games is just wrong. Cancel the games if they really can't get enough healthy players. Go with the pct wins to determine standings.

If either Markstrom or Rittich or any goalie tested positive for covid the others and would likely have been in close indoor proximity and would need to be cleared to play. Sort of like the Broncos having a week with no QB

Keep Wolf or Parsons or Zagidulin in Alberta (or at least Canada) away from the rest of the goalies and goalie coaches.

The Canadian teams ideally need a Canadian AHL spot for a goalie isolated from the rest of the team.

Goes for all teams and goalies.

[red sky]

This is going to be so much harder than football and baseball for that matter.

[Enoch Root]

Instead of postponing, how about a forfeit? If there is a cost in the standings to having Covid cases, teams might be even more diligent.

[jar_e]

Another covid scare...Penguins cancelled a practice today due to covid concerns.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Instead of postponing, how about a forfeit? If there is a cost in the standings to having Covid cases, teams might be even more diligent.

At that point you start to harm the integrity of the game. Teams would be getting wins for not stepping on the ice - to a variable degree. One team could have 10 wins from forfeits and another 2. Starts to become a joke very fast.
If they can't do this, they can't do this and the season should be canceled.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Instead of postponing, how about a forfeit? If there is a cost in the standings to having Covid cases, teams might be even more diligent.

Because then this season would have one giant asterisk beside it.

[Regulator75]

Too many variables. Team sports still shouldn't be happening.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

At least wait until the majority of people are vaccinated.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Too many variables. Team sports still shouldn't be happening.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

At least wait until the majority of people are vaccinated.

Well aren't you a bucket of sunshine.

While keeping the players covid free will be more difficult out of a bubble, other leagues and F1,F2 etc (with hundreds of people involved travelling around the world) managed this with minimal cases happening.

For the fan, having the league go forward is a welcome distraction and piece of normalcy for some mental wellbeing.

There's bound to be bumps in the road, but that doesn't mean we need a full stop, just carry on cautiously.