Teams forced to forfeit series if outbreaks happen in the playoffs!

The National Hockey League was stunned when the entire Vancouver Canucks’ team was decimated by COVID-19. Nineteen Canucks players, most of their lineup, ended up on the NHL’s COVID protocol list. Three players from the team’s taxi squad, three members of the coaching staff and another staff member also tested positive for the virus.

It was hell. And while doctors will say that the only culprit is the virus itself, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear to governors this week that he will instaure serious consequences for post-season COVID outbreaks resulting from not following protocols. This was reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his latest 31 Thoughts column:

“During Monday’s Board of Governors’ meeting, Bettman made it very clear there would be serious consequences for post-season COVID outbreaks resulting from not following protocols. A couple of governors were left with the impression that if a team could not finish a series, it might have to forfeit.”

Having to forfeit a series and step out of the postseason would be devastating for a team! Can you imagine the uproar it would create? 

But teams won’t be able to say they weren’t warned. Bettman was clear about it.