Eklund: NHL Will Stop Testing Asymptomatic After All-Star Weekend. Right Call?

yes

Sounds good to me, but we'll see next week what changes

Should’ve been the policy all along…

Long overdue. Fully support

this is going to be hilariously bad. those asymptomatic players will pass it on to everyone. more infections = more actually-ill players and people. the reason the NFL is where it is, is because they started off the season by not testing regularly. they are just trying to salvage what they have left. the NHL got a big hit of positive tests right around the holidays (at the same time when the flu is at it's peak). they are over the hump and should continue to test the way they have been

This is how it should be. With the decreased severity of omicron and the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing hospitalizations the only player who should asymptomatic test is bertuzzi.

Omicron is basically the new booster, with so many people testing positive.

Like it or not but NHL changing this policy doesnt put a dent in the positivity rate. I think blues are up to 22 players already who have gone through Covid protocol. This was bound to happen eventually.

It will not fly in the Canadian regime.

A month ago, Stevie Y was calling for this common sense approach. You da man, Stevie.

Shouldn't this rumor be "the NHL and the NHLPA approve..."?

It will not fly in the Canadian regime.
- HenryHockey

Chinada.

OMG!!!!!!! They're ALL GONNA DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

You know where you are?
You're in the jungle, baby

OMG!!!!!!! They're ALL GONNA DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
- rrentz

this is going to be hilariously bad. those asymptomatic players will pass it on to everyone. more infections = more actually-ill players and people. the reason the NFL is where it is, is because they started off the season by not testing regularly. they are just trying to salvage what they have left. the NHL got a big hit of positive tests right around the holidays (at the same time when the flu is at it's peak). they are over the hump and should continue to test the way they have been
- insomnia183

STFU

Not the least bit controversial.

'Bout time.

Good!

People need to understand that the Omicron variant is essentially the flu. The good news is that this Omicron variant is quite likely to be the reason that the pandemic ends. The Ro of Omicron is MUCH higher than Delta (approaching that of an Ro of measles), so it is extremely contagious (i.e. we're all likely to get it)...but is is essentially..the flu.

Years ago, players decided on their own (sometimes with advice from the team doctor) if they would play or not with the flu. When a very bad flu bug was going around, players would take measures to distance themselves from their teammates, and sometimes even miss a game or two.

I can tell you that in economic and financial circles, the very common thesis/view is that Omicron is going to be viewed historically as the likely variant that ended the pandemic and basically "crowded out" the other strains, due to it's extremely level of contagion. In terms of investing, the market may not like this one bit. Most of the gains in recent months/years have come as a result of unprecedented stimulus, with Covid being the reason/excuse. Now that Covid is likely waning, the capital markets do not like this.

More importantly, neither do those people who have and continue to BENEFIT from Covid. People who have received stimulus will not get it anymore. People who have been able to sit by and not work will have to go to work. People/companies/govts that have borrowed will have to pay it back at a higher rate than anticipated. People that demanded higher wages will have to compete for those wages (they'll have to work), and MOST importantly, people in media and gov't will have to start reporting the truth.

There is no big global conspiracy, not at all, but people really REALLY have to watch the actions of those that have benefitted from this pandemic. As it comes to an end, pay attention to those that have benefitted as they attempt to cling to those benefits, as they cling to the power and publicity that they've gotten, and how they are acting now that they realize it's coming to an end.

Please, sincerely do not be afraid of Covid, Omicron is an extremely contagious "bad flu". Some people have severe complications from the bad flu, some die. Don't listen to the alarmists, this pandemic is closing out. Once the financial stimulus is removed from the economy however, we could be in for a rough ride economically. Pay attention to the words and actions of those that have and want to continue to benefit from the pandemic.

(full disclosure, I work in the finance industry and I've benefitted greatly from this pandemic as everyone is stuck at home and seeking investment advice. I was/am also VERY skeptical about the experimental healthcare supplements they've forced on us (by definition they're not vaccines), but I have received my 2 doses as they are very helpful healthcare supplements). You could argue that I stand to benefit if the pandemic continues as more stimulus gets pumped into the economy and the inflated markets climb higher. But this pandemic is about to end and people should be positive about their health and their future. (just be smart with your investments and stop listening to those that stand to benefit from Covid...they're freaking out!)

sorry for the long rant, but I often (not always) count Eklund in the group of "alarmists" that tend to get things a little wrong in terms of over-reacting to the bad flu.

i love how ek posts a "story" about something covid-related and suddenly a forum full of hockey fans are experts in infectious disease and public health policy. not taking a side here, just remarking how (frank)ing hilarious that poop is. and ek gets badly-needed traffic and engagement to distract from his bad takes and bullpoop rumors, and every neckbeard from Miami to Yellowknife is gonna chime in with their two pesos.

i love how ek posts a "story" about something covid-related and suddenly a forum full of hockey fans are experts in infectious disease and public health policy. not taking a side here, just remarking how (frank)ing hilarious that poop is. and ek gets badly-needed traffic and engagement to distract from his bad takes and bullpoop rumors, and every neckbeard from Miami to Yellowknife is gonna chime in with their two pesos.
- PDO-Speedwagon

Not taking a side here but interesting to see someone chiming in with their opinion about others giving their opinions. Groundbreaking take. Thank you.

i love how ek posts a "story" about something covid-related and suddenly a forum full of hockey fans are experts in infectious disease and public health policy. not taking a side here, just remarking how (frank)ing hilarious that poop is. and ek gets badly-needed traffic and engagement to distract from his bad takes and bullpoop rumors, and every neckbeard from Miami to Yellowknife is gonna chime in with their two pesos.
- PDO-Speedwagon

Sorry there Gritty man, obviously you have been listening to the wrong politicians and public health officials for a long time and your senses are dulled as to what reality is.

Maybe you need to read something other than the US CDC website or the political party in power in Washington and Ottawa. Stop living in denial and use your head to think about these things.

Did anyone ask why they ate waiting until AFTER the all-star game? Like if this policy makes sense (it does) then why wait?

I didn't get a text from any players on this, but my guess is the NHLPA wants to wait so that a bunch of guys can skip the stupid all-star game with a perfectly-timed positive test. Watch for it. Right after guys play their last team game they will enter Covid-protocol and then emerge right after the all-star game. That's what i would do if my dream was to win a Cup.

this is going to be hilariously bad. those asymptomatic players will pass it on to everyone. more infections = more actually-ill players and people. the reason the NFL is where it is, is because they started off the season by not testing regularly. they are just trying to salvage what they have left. the NHL got a big hit of positive tests right around the holidays (at the same time when the flu is at it's peak). they are over the hump and should continue to test the way they have been
- insomnia183

There is always one. Time to move on with you life and stop worrying about catching a disease that is no more then a cold for 99% of the population dude

Sounds good to me, but we'll see next week what changes
- Tweaterben

This may be the most logical post in this sites storied history.











Get out.

Good!

People need to understand that the Omicron variant is essentially the flu. The good news is that this Omicron variant is quite likely to be the reason that the pandemic ends. The Ro of Omicron is MUCH higher than Delta (approaching that of an Ro of measles), so it is extremely contagious (i.e. we're all likely to get it)...but is is essentially..the flu.

Years ago, players decided on their own (sometimes with advice from the team doctor) if they would play or not with the flu. When a very bad flu bug was going around, players would take measures to distance themselves from their teammates, and sometimes even miss a game or two.

I can tell you that in economic and financial circles, the very common thesis/view is that Omicron is going to be viewed historically as the likely variant that ended the pandemic and basically "crowded out" the other strains, due to it's extremely level of contagion. In terms of investing, the market may not like this one bit. Most of the gains in recent months/years have come as a result of unprecedented stimulus, with Covid being the reason/excuse. Now that Covid is likely waning, the capital markets do not like this.

More importantly, neither do those people who have and continue to BENEFIT from Covid. People who have received stimulus will not get it anymore. People who have been able to sit by and not work will have to go to work. People/companies/govts that have borrowed will have to pay it back at a higher rate than anticipated. People that demanded higher wages will have to compete for those wages (they'll have to work), and MOST importantly, people in media and gov't will have to start reporting the truth.

There is no big global conspiracy, not at all, but people really REALLY have to watch the actions of those that have benefitted from this pandemic. As it comes to an end, pay attention to those that have benefitted as they attempt to cling to those benefits, as they cling to the power and publicity that they've gotten, and how they are acting now that they realize it's coming to an end.

Please, sincerely do not be afraid of Covid, Omicron is an extremely contagious "bad flu". Some people have severe complications from the bad flu, some die. Don't listen to the alarmists, this pandemic is closing out. Once the financial stimulus is removed from the economy however, we could be in for a rough ride economically. Pay attention to the words and actions of those that have and want to continue to benefit from the pandemic.

(full disclosure, I work in the finance industry and I've benefitted greatly from this pandemic as everyone is stuck at home and seeking investment advice. I was/am also VERY skeptical about the experimental healthcare supplements they've forced on us (by definition they're not vaccines), but I have received my 2 doses as they are very helpful healthcare supplements). You could argue that I stand to benefit if the pandemic continues as more stimulus gets pumped into the economy and the inflated markets climb higher. But this pandemic is about to end and people should be positive about their health and their future. (just be smart with your investments and stop listening to those that stand to benefit from Covid...they're freaking out!)

sorry for the long rant, but I often (not always) count Eklund in the group of "alarmists" that tend to get things a little wrong in terms of over-reacting to the bad flu.
- JLO961

The vaccines are vaccines, by definition. You are misinformed about vaccines.

The vaccines are vaccines, by definition. You are misinformed about vaccines.
- Zezel

Nope.