NHL players will have three extra days to decide whether or not to play in the 24-team playoff that begins on August 1, per Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now. Anyone opting out will have to do so before Monday night.
But don’t expect a whole host of skaters to sit this one out, writes The Athletic’s Scott Burnside. Families being allowed into hub cities starting with the conference championships have allayed some concerns, but there are still players with pregnant wives and pre-existing conditions who must think twice before putting themselves at risk.
One general manager, speaking anonymously, posited that there was a good chunk of NHL players who do not prefer to return to play under these conditions, per Burnside. This is a refrain we’ve heard numerous times in recent weeks, but always anonymously. That fact alone speaks to the complicated cultural hurdles facing the NHL. The option of opting out is always couched in this idea that NHL’s culture of toughness won’t allow for abstainers.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, for one, don’t expect anyone to opt-out, but that doesn’t mean it’s an automatic call, writes The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. Portzline spells out the dilemma facing Nick Foligno to give a sense of the types of decisions players are dealing with: “He’s the Blue Jackets’ captain, so he has an enormous responsibility within the dressing room. But he’s also the father of a child with a pre-existing condition. His daughter, Milana, was born with a congenital heart defect and has had multiple surgeries. That makes her more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.”
The league itself does not require players to cite any specific reason for opting out. Given the culture of the NHL, however, it seems that any player who makes that choice will be scrutinized. And yet, that’s not the same as being stigmatized – and that’s an important distinction. There’s a lot of understanding in the league right now, and given the absolute dangers of COVID-19, players and coaches alike realize that the decision to play – or not to play – is deeply personal.
I do not envy the situation that Nicky Foligno or any other player who has a similar choice to make. Any of his fellow NHLPA-ers that choose to opt-out due to legit health concerns for themselves or their families should receive absolutely NO crap from any other player for their decision. The reason for going with a simple majority on these types of votes is for easy passing of the subject. It also often leads to increased disgruntlement and worse. Conversely, if a 2/3 or 3/4 majority was required, many things might never get passed. This may be one of the toughest choices these guys have to make (so far) in their playing careers. More players might very well be in favor of opt-out, if they had direct knowledge of friends or acquaintances that had been hospitalized with this junk. Because most don’t, they have a more cavalier attitude about it. I hope for their sake they don’t end up as true positive tests with a lengthy hospital stay. That will end up as a “Welcome to Sobering Reality, Pal!”
Might be one of the tougher choices of their entire lives, let alone their playing careers. I hope they all do what’s best for each of them induvidually.
anyone who criticizes a player for opting out has serious issues
I consider an opt out from my job every weekend……then I look at my bills and opt back in. :/
If enough players don’t want to come back, that’s their right to do so, but they shouldn’t expect to get paid anymore of their contracts either. The people maintaining the rink won’t get paid if they decide to sit this out, that’s for sure.
Luckily for them they’ve already received 85-90% of their salaries.
Don’t be surprised if not a single player opts out.