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Bruins' Taylor Hall hoping NHL can start moving along with COVID-19

Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall says he was frustrated he was placed in COVID-19 protocol despite not having any symptoms.

Hall spoke to the media during a Zoom call Tuesday — a day after returning to practice — and said although he was stuffed up, it had already cleared up prior to when he tested positive.

The former No. 1 overall pick and Hart Trophy winner was asked if he believed the NHL should follow the NBA’s lead and reduce its 10-day isolation period for players who test positive. Hall acknowledged there are key differences between the two leagues with seven Canadian teams in the NHL, but he spoke about his own situation in quarantine, having to take time off and not being able to go to the rink.

“Hopefully, we can start moving along with COVID,” Hall said. “I don’t think we’re going to move past it but we have to accept that this is going to be part of our lives and hopefully, guys like me don’t have to miss 10 days of action when we don’t feel any symptoms.”


Editor’s Note: The COVID-19 situation, in the NHL and around the world, is constantly evolving. Readers in Canada can consult the country’s public health website for the latest.


Hall’s sentiment has been picking up steam in recent days among some players and personnel. Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is in favour of eliminating testing for asymptomatic players, a thought shared by Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers.

“I saw Steve’s comments. My personal opinion is I completely agreed with what he said. I think he was bang-on,” Myers said on Sunday after returning from COVID-19 protocol. “I completely understand there’s another side of it where there’s people if it’s not themselves have family members that are more vulnerable to what’s happening around the world right now.

“Everybody’s in a different situation. I think as players the most frustrating part is seeing what other sports leagues are doing. It seems we’re heading the opposite direction of that. I think it’s a little confusing for us.”

Boston (14-10-2) hasn’t played since Dec. 16, a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders, with six games postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team. Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle are the only Bruins players remaining in COVID-19 protocol. The Bruins are scheduled to return to action Saturday at home against the Buffalo Sabres.

The NHL has postponed 70 games so far this season due to rising COVID-19 cases, many of them a result of the new Omicron variant. While all but one NHL player is double vaccinated against COVID-19 and many have received boosters in recent weeks, there is much still unknown about how Omicron spreads and how dangerous it can be to those who contract it.

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