Since the NHL’s desires to complete the season were made known, one of the first concerns for the Montreal Canadiens was how Max Domi’s status would be affected. Would he decide that, as a Type-1 diabetic, that the risk was too great, would the team decide to bar him as a precaution, or would all parties feel the risk could be managed and he would be able to play?
Today, as part of a released set of guidelines on the NHL’s plan to the resume the season, that decision may have been made for them.
…shall be deemed to be unfit to play and shall not be permitted to participate in either Phase 3 or Phase 4. A player may initiate a second opinion concerning his fitness to play status pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Standard Player Contract.”
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 6, 2020
The Public Health Agency of Canada has a list of people who are considered to be in the high-risk group for severe illness from contracting COVID-19, and diabetes is listed among the pre-existing conditions. Any doctor evaluating Domi would deem him unfit to play for this reason.
Domi and the Canadiens would be able to seek a second opinion in this case, but the government guidelines are quite clear in this case. It seems as though he will not be able to join the team on the ice when Stage 3 begins in the coming days.
