Two big questions for the upcoming season: Opt-out clause and mandatory vaccines

There has been plenty of positive news this week regarding finally getting a 2020-21 season underway. It looks like the league and players have tentatively agreed on a start date January 13th, with training camps set to begin around January 3rd. While it's great to have that news, there are still many questions left unanswered for fans and for players as well.

On the latest edition of TSN's Insider Trading, the pandel discussed two major questions owners will have to deal with: will players be allowed to opt-out of the 2020-21 season the way they were allowed to do during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs? And, once the vaccine is available to players, will it be mandatory for them to take it in order to play?

“Everyday we're reminded of how devastating COVID-19 is. And the National Hockey League and Players' Association, along with the government leaders, are very sensitive to that," said TSN's Darren Dreger. "I'll remind you, in the summer going into Return to Play, there was an opt-out option for any player or team personnel who didn't want to participate, didn't want to deal with the risk of COVID-19. And a number of people took advantage of that. Well, there is going to have to be opt-out language in the 2020-21 season prep work as well."

There were some players that decided not to enter the bubble as they had pre-existing conditions that would be complicated by contracting COVID-19. Others simply didn't want to spend months away from their families, which is understandable. There is speculation the NHL will be at least starting the season in some sort of bubble environment or environments and it's almost certain that players will be allowed to opt-out if they decide to do so.

"In addition to that, what about vaccinations?', said Dreger. "Testing was mandated by the NHL and the NHLPA as part of Return to Play. When the vaccine is ready and is available to NHL players and club personnel, will it be mandatory? Both the opt-out and mandatory vaccinations have to be discussed and agreed upon between the NHL and the NHLPA.”

The vaccine issue is certainly a sticky one. Clearly, owners will want as many players as possible to be vaccinated to avoid any disruptions to their business. That said, the idea of mandatory vaccinations is clouded in legal and moral issues and could drive a massive wedge between the league and it's players' union should it decide to go that route.

Current free agent Zdeno Chara has made it very clear that he wants to see how the upcoming season will be played before deciding whether to return for what could be his last season. It's likely several others are doing the same, whether they are under contract or not.

Source: TSN Insider Trading

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