On Wednesday, Vegas Golden Knights goalkeeper Robin Lehner called the NHL, saying the league doesn’t stay true to previous promises about COVID-19 vaccinations. Lehner claims that the league told the players if the vaccinations were restricted, but said that was not the case.
Lehner says the NHL forced players to receive the coronavirus vaccine and they were misled by the changes they would have made if they had agreed.
Following Lehner’s comments, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN that no such promises had been made to league players.
“It was an issue that was raised and discussed between us and the NHLPA, but no decision to change was made and never communicated to anyone,” Daly told ESPN.
The NHL Players’ Association said the 2021 season was a difficult one and they had to change COVID-19 protocols along the way. The league maintains its position that there has never been a direct correlation between obtaining the vaccine and relaxing the protocols.
Lehner claimed that although NHL players are vaccinated, they are still treated as if they were “imprisoned”.
The Golden Knights goalkeeper has added concerns about what mental health restrictions may do, saying that as someone with a bipolar diagnosis, isolation is something he has been told not to do. Lehner says the league chooses a “competitive advantage” in terms of player treatment.
Lehner said:
“At some point we need to start looking at the mental health of the people around us, not just the NHL, but everyone in society, and see how we can start to get back to normal, because the problem is going to be huge. But lying to us about things changing in a way that forces us to get the vaccine. Unacceptable. And now, when we got the vaccine, we have an excuse to say, “No, we don’t change because of our competitive advantage.” It’s outrageous. “
He went on to say, “I was told yesterday that they are analyzing all the teams to see who got the vaccine and who didn’t get the vaccines and they won’t change the rules for us as players until the players have the vaccine at the same time, so no it is a competitive advantage. “
Lehner said the latest news had driven him “crazy.” He clarified some of his comments on Twitter and continues to emphasize the importance of mental health.
In February, the league sent a note to those in the league, including coaches and staff, saying that “they will stay at home and leave only to participate in training or games or to perform essential activities.” They also said that players’ families should limit the time they leave the house for lower chances of exposure.