Slippery Slope as NHL Adopts New CDC Guidlines

After the CDC changed its recommended isolation guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, the NHL has followed suit per Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff.

NEWS: #NHL has officially shortened isolation period to 5 days with a negative test – IF allowed by local health authorities.#NHL now in line with CDC guidelines, according to memo distributed to teams today which was obtained by @DailyFaceoff.

Here’s the updated protocol ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XLp9Ghq0va

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 29, 2021

This new guideline can only be followed if it coincides with local health authorities. And a player must test negative.

What this means is that players on the seven Canadian teams must remain in isolation for 10 days, regardless of where they are playing. This also means that if a player on a U.S.-based team tests positive in Canada, they cannot travel out of the country and must quarantine in Canada for 10 days.

Following a game against the Edmonton Oilers at UBS Arena on New Year’s Day, the New York Islanders head out West for a four-game road trip. Three of the stops are in Canadian cities, meaning the Islanders would need to follow local rules.

Now on Tuesday, eight games were postponed due to attendance issues in Canada. None of those cancellations included any of the Islander games.

On Sunday, the Islanders placed four forwards into COVID-19 protocol. Things get a little dicey about their availability.

But due to Canada's rules, they would not be able to travel to Canada until Jan 6. That means they could meet #Isles there before game @ Oilers on Jan 8.

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) December 29, 2021

Remember, this only is true if these players are asymptomatic.

For Brock Nelson, who was added on Monday, he would not be eligible to return until Jan 2. He would be in the same boat for the trip to Canada.

It’s a step in the right direction for the NHL to get games played. But much more needs to be figured out to ensure the safety of all players and staff as the season tries to continue without any more postponements.