UPDATE: For some context as to why the league took the Capitals’ violation so seriously, just look at the caliber of the players at fault. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, Alex Ovechkin, and Ilya Samsonov appeared on the NHL’s COVID Protocol Related Absences list today, implying that the group including the captain and starting goalie were the perpetrators of the COVID violation.
The Capitals have released a statement lamenting the actions of their players. Ovechkin himself also released a statement of regret that he and his teammates socialized in their hotel room rather than in approved locker room areas.
The NHL is not fooling around when it comes to protecting its players and staff as well as its 2020-21 season from the Coronavirus pandemic. The league has announced this evening that the Washington Capitals have been fined $100K for violations of the NHL COVID-19 Protocols. The Capitals are the first team to face discipline related to the league’s COVID policies.
As might be expected, the perpetrators in this case were the Washington players. The league reports that the Capitals were cited for “social interaction among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings.” While the players obviously interact with one another on the ice and on the bench during games and practices, the league has asked that all additional exposure be limited – a request that the Capitals did not adhere to.
Especially in a season in which revenue will be slashed considerably due to the lack of fans in the stands, a $100K fine is no small thing for owner Ted Leonsis and his team. The NHL has made an example of the Capitals to show that there will not be any leniency, even for a first offense, when it comes to COVID protocol. The hope is that this message comes through clearly around the league as the NHL hopes to get through the current season without issue in the midst of an ongoing public health crisis.
They should be fining all the idiot coaches who keep taking off their mask to yell at players. So stupid it is hard to believe.
THIS! I can’t understand why the hell that is necessary. The rare times I’ve been out I’ve been able to effectively communicate with the few people I trust through my KN 95. So why is it that they need to take their mask off when there are no fans in the arena to talk to players. It just makes zero sense!
It’s a Russian thing; you guys wouldn’t understand.
Better hope the boys are splitting the check to pay the fine.
look, i get the point of this, but when the location is the only issue and said location isnt in public then it seems somewhat silly. they are fine to talk in the lockerroom or on the bench when all of them are together but they cant talk in a smaller group in their own hotel rooms.
It is my belief that too much of this is for show. Players are on the road and they are confined to their room but at home they are free to go to the grocery store and interact with whom they choose.I’m not saying either are right or wrong just a creates a definite home ice advantage.
I get what you are saying, and to an extent I agree, but then I take a look at the NBA and I realize why the NHL is being so stringent and hardline with this rules. The number of games the NBA has had to cancel is just crazy (Wizards had their upcoming game against the Bucks postponed just now) and the NHL doesn’t want that to happen. I know how it looks and seems, and I do get what you are saying, but the NHL is one league (along with the MLS), that can’t afford to suspend the season again. Hopefully when March rolls around and more folks are vaccinated they will maybe loosen this policy, but right now I think it’s good TBH and understandable when you look at the NBA .