Does anyone opt out of returning?

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Or for that crowd, Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Giordano and Andersson

Well at least they still haven't found out about Lindholm.

[Poe969]

I have a really strong feeling that Johnny won't play. I really hope I'm wrong about it. I wonder if there are any upcoming UFA's who opt out of playing for their current team. Say Hall didn't wan to play for the coyotes and goes straight to becoming a UFA, it wouldn't hurt his value but what about lesser UFA's. Say a guy like Galchenyuk doesn't come play, will that hurt his chance of a contract in November?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Won't lie, I'm a little concerned about the guys who aren't in Calgary yet.

Is there a list of missing players? Where are they and what are they doing?

[Toonage]

No official list, no.

Just players who haven't been mentioned as being around yet, though this is a volunteer phase.

[Monahammer]

Johnny (father's health) and Brodie (Wife's health) are two in particular I could see opting out.

No one should be judged for opting out.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nah. It's bad enough with the Oilers having McDavid and the Leafs being the Leafs. Another league star in Montreal and the Flames may as well be showing up on milk cartons at Rogers and TSN studios. I don't want to see any Canadian team outside of the Flames get him.

We'd actually need to start a calgary centric sports network to even have a hope. Maybe Shaw could get on it?

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

We'd actually need to start a calgary centric sports network to even have a hope. Maybe Shaw could get on it?

Shaw can't get the services they have now sorted out. Nevermind start a new network.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Johnny (father's health) and Brodie (Wife's health) are two in particular I could see opting out.

No one should be judged for opting out.

Players are people too. They're under a lot of pressure to return. Let's make sure we show respect and class if/when players opt out.

[SuperMatt18]

I do wonder if Gaudreau could...not sure what the condition of Gaudreau's dad is after his health scare a couple years ago, and if his dad would be at higher risk to COVID.

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Johnny (father's health) and Brodie (Wife's health) are two in particular I could see opting out.

No one should be judged for opting out.

What Monahammer said.

[Toonage]

In Gaudreau's case I would think if he planned on opting out he wouldn't be here at all.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Johnny (father's health) and Brodie (Wife's health) are two in particular I could see opting out.

No one should be judged for opting out.

I get this but I don't. What really does your fathers health have to do with you living and playing in a bubble as a professional athlete? You will be getting tested daily, if you test positive self isolate, don't go visiting with your dad, pretty simple, same with your wife. In fact being tested everyday is the safest, most effective way to keep others safe!!! If you are living in the bubble, you are not going to transmit to a family member and once you're out of the bubble, self isolate, get tested and take appropriate action if necessary.

Those who opt out for health reasons better live in self isolation until a vaccine is administered.

[Strange Brew]

As others have said, I suspect a very low number of players league wide opt out. Less than 10 IMO. The Flames would be extremely unlucky to have more than 1 and I predict zero.

You're not endangering your family by playing, you are agreeing to be separated from them for an extended period. Should an emergency arise, you can leave. You're not on the space station.

I'm certainly not going to pass judgment on anyone 's decision.

[Roof-Daddy]

Gaudreau's dad would tell Johnny to go and play, and that "I'll see you in a couple months" and would hope it would take a couple months because that would mean a long playoff run for his boy.

Brodie will probably be there too, but his case is different as it's actually his wife with the health conditions and not many people would or should be ok with not seeing there spouse for that long.

[TheScorpion]

If the bubbles were in America, I'd guess there would be many. But in Edmonton... few, if any.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

As others have said, I suspect a very low number of players league wide opt out. Less than 10 IMO. The Flames would be extremely unlucky to have more than 1 and I predict zero.

You're not endangering your family by playing, you are agreeing to be separated from them for an extended period. Should an emergency arise, you can leave. You're not on the space station.

I'm certainly not going to pass judgment on anyone 's decision.

Agreed. Safe to say that these guys are going to be tested more in the the first week or so then they have the past 4.5 months and my guess is they haven’t been holed up at home those 4.5 months either away from everyone.

Before they go back to family, I am sure they’ll be tested again, multiple times, and then practice the same self isolation they would’ve anyways, before seeing family members.

But yes, if there’s any trepidation on playing, for whatever reason, best not to. Besides of course medical issues or whatever physical health concerns a player may have externally for him or family, frankly, if you are not 100% in your mind committed to playing, your play will reflect that and thus doing yourself and your teammates a disservice.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

I get this but I don't. What really does your fathers health have to do with you living and playing in a bubble as a professional athlete? You will be getting tested daily, if you test positive self isolate, don't go visiting with your dad, pretty simple, same with your wife. In fact being tested everyday is the safest, most effective way to keep others safe!!! If you are living in the bubble, you are not going to transmit to a family member and once you're out of the bubble, self isolate, get tested and take appropriate action if necessary.

Those who opt out for health reasons better live in self isolation until a vaccine is administered.

I agree- my thought is actually that these players may not wish to be separated from family members who could be in more jeopardy during this time in case those family members were to contract the virus or something while the player was away.

i.e. if Mrs. Brodie has to operate more in the community (and potentially increase her risk) because TJ can't be there to support her, that may weigh upon his decision.

There could be other players in this scenario, or they could just have fear for their playing futures, etc... The point i was trying to make is that there could be extremely relatable reasons for some players to opt out, but even if no reason is given we should refrain from judgement or commentary about those decisions.

[shogged]

I bet there is some serious peer pressure from teammates and that as a result, we won’t see many back out.

[djsFlames]

It'll likely only be players with circumstances where there is an ongoing health issue within the family that requires their presence like a terminally ill loved one.

Let's face it, they'll all be sacrificing girlfriend/wife time.

Covid safety concerns in Edmonton is an excuse that won't fly. You're safe there than wherever you're flying in from.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Goalies.

Because goalies are weird.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Goalies.

Because goalies are weird.

If only Tim Thomas were still around. He'd have been out there two months ago protesting that the barber was closed