Early Wednesday, the capitals received a large fine (at least for me, perhaps not for Ted) for violating NHL’s COVID protocols.
So we learned that Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, and Ilya Samsonov are not available due to the COVID protocols.
Now Caps and Ovechkin have released statements that should clarify everything.
Caps:
ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals and Captain Alex Ovechkin issued the statements below after the NHL announcement on January 20:
Washington Capitals statement:
Our training team has worked hard to create a safe environment for our players and team to compete this season. We are disappointed with the choice of our players to interact in their hotel rooms and outside the areas approved by the team. We accept the NHL decision and will once again reiterate the current COVID-19 protocols to ensure that players are fully compliant in the future.
Alex Ovechkin’s statement:
I regret my choice to spend time with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the changing rooms. I will learn from that experience.
Yes, that clarified nothing.
In the NHL statement, they said the fine was for “social interactions between team members who were in close contact and who did not wear facial covers”.
The Caps and Ovechkin say this breach took place in a hotel room, but it does not specify which players were present (although we can assume that the four Russian Caps were). It is unclear whether these players were alone in the room – that is, separated from any non-players. It is also unclear how an unmasked meeting place for four people in a hotel room could have caught the attention of NHL bosses.
But there is disappointment and regret, and I suppose that’s all we’ll get for now.
For the record, if safety were really the top priority for this team or league, they wouldn’t be playing right now. Four thousand, four hundred and nine people died of COVID today.
Screenshot courtesy of HNIC