Ken Holland confirms the identity of lone unvaccinated Oilers player

According to Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland, at least one of the team's players has refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and will therefore miss a large chunk of the season due to travel restrictions.

When meeting with the media yesterday, Holland refused to name the player but did say that he'd be eligible to play games in Canada, both home games in Edmonton and away games in the NHL's six other Canadian markets, but will be ineligible to cross the border into the United States due to the cross-border vaccine mandate.

Check it out:

And while Holland never publicly named the player, he seemingly had no problem in identifying him as forward Josh Archibald when he went on the Oilers Now radio broadcast with Bob Stauffer following his press availability. 

It's also worth mentioning that defenseman Duncan Keith and goaltender Mike Smith both initially chose to refuse vaccination, but then reversed their decisions in order to be at training camp. It's unclear what will happen for Archibald, however. If he continues to go unvaccinated he'll face increased COVID-19 protocols this season and will be unable to travel into the United States for the Oilers' 30 American road games this season.

Archibald joins Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi as the only other known NHLer to refuse vaccination. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman confirmed yesterday that Bertuzzi (A Canadian citizen) will not be permitted to travel into Canada for games this season and, as a result, he'll not be available for 9 of the team's regular season games. Even more interesting though, NHL journalist Stephen Whyno reports that Bertuzzi will surrender at least $450,000 in salary as a result of his decision to go unvaccinated.

From Whyno:

More from Whyno:

Red Wings play 8 games in Canada. NHL salaries are determined by days not games, but Tyler Bertuzzi will forfeit over $400,000 this season if he continues to decline vaccination. And that's before any other time missed for COVID-19.

Actually... I miscounted the games. Tyler Bertuzzi will forfeit at LEAST over $450,000 in salary from Detroit Red Wings' nine games in Canada this season if he continues to decline vaccination.

Regardless of your thoughts on COVID-19 and vaccine mandates, $450,000 is a LOT of money. I can't imagine walking away from a payday like that, but to each their own. I respect everyone's right to make their own medical decisions.