NHL player claims GM told players to get vaccinated 'or you're screwed'
Emily Kaplan of ESPN put out a tweet on Tuesday night that said she spoke to an anonymous NHL player over the league's vaccine policy.
While the league has not outright said players have to be vaccinated, it has been thought that that particular sentiment has been implied, and the anonymous player all but confirmed that.
"My GM made it extremely clear to us," the player said. "Get the shot or you're screwed."
We saw this situation play out on Tuesday, as Zac Rinaldo, who recently signed a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was told not to show up to training camp on Wednesday because he is not vaccinated. Rinaldo also made a speech at a rally for the People's Party of Canada denouncing the idea of vaccine and vaccine passport mandates. Ryan Rishaug of TSN reports that the Edmonton Oilers have one unvaccinated player who could end up missing close to 30 games this season.
From the sounds of things, most players have complied with this advice, as Kaplan noted that more than 95 per cent of the league has been vaccinated. These are certainly crazy times, and while not everyone may agree with the measures that are being taken here, the NHL is wanting to do what is best to make sure their players are safe and to protect the on ice product.
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APRIL 25, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Sebastian Aho | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Taylor Hall | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Seth Jarvis | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Carter Yakemchuk | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Dylan Cozens | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Robertson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mark Jankowski | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kirill Kaprizov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| K'Andre Miller | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mikko Rantanen | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Eric Robinson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tim Stutzle | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Sean Walker | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mike Amadio | - | - | - | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||