Because of the Canadian teams the NHL is faced with many different challenges that other leagues aren't. Things such as quarantine rules, travel restrictions, vaccination restrictions and once again attendance restrictions.
Now that the CDC has reduced required quarantine periods other leagues have already begun to implement rules that align more closely with these policies.
The NBA announced yesterday vaccinated and asymptomatic players/coaches can potentially clear quarantine in as few as six days and Adam Schefter is reporting the NFL's announcement is expected as early today.
It already sounds like the NHL is going to have issues implementing these rules due to competitive balance, but at least one NHLer knows where he's placing the blame...Canada.
The Tampa Bay Lightning's NHLPA representative had this to say about his thoughts and where he placed the blame.
"Either something's got to change or we're just going to have to deal with it and just know that the product's going to be inferior that we're putting on the ice...
It seems like it's always Canada that's the reason that a lot of things don't happen, so I don't know if we're going to be able to do that. But it seems reasonable that we would do that and implement it as soon as possible."
Although Killorn makes some great points it's unlikely the NHL will be able to adjust the rules putting Canadian teams at a competitive disadvantage.