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The mechanics of the Tyler Bertuzzi vaccine choice

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman revealed in a press conference that forward Tyler Bertuzzi is the only member of the roster to remain unvaccinated.

The NHL’s restrictions on unvaccinated players will prevent Bertuzzi from playing in any of the Red Wings’ nine games in Canada this season. COVID protocol requires that Bertuzzi remain temporarily suspended during any games in Canada. As a result, he will be unable to travel with the team in that time and will surrender $21,250 every day he’s suspended for this reason, which could be over $400,000. This will also free up an equal amount of cap space for the Red Wings.

Bertuzzi will need to quarantine for up to seven days before training camp. Throughout the season, he will be subject to daily testing. While traveling, he will be unable to join the team at restaurants, bars, pools, gyms, teammate’s rooms, or anywhere that isn’t the practice facility, arena, or his own hotel room. Bertuzzi will also be prohibited from carpooling and using saunas.

How this affects the team

In March, the Red Wings will face the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken. This leg of the season will likely require Bertuzzi to travel to Seattle separately to meet the team as they conclude their Canadian trip.

While Bertuzzi’s decision is ultimately his to make, it will be to the detriment of his teammates and fans when the Red Wings head to Canada. This will especially ring true when the team faces off against two of their divisional rivals: the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. The rest of the team will need to pick up the slack when they take on Auston Matthews and Thomas Chabot without one of their top performers.

Training camp is set to begin tomorrow, September 23rd. If Bertuzzi has not taken quarantine precautions, he will not be allowed to attend.

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