Capitals fined $100,000 for violating COVID protocols

The Washington Capitals received a hefty fine by the NHL for violating COVID-19 protocols.

The NHL, like the other professional sports leagues, is running its season as the coronavirus pandemic continues. With no bubble environment this time around, the league is expecting its players to follow its strict protocols to ensure there are no pauses in the season due to outbreaks. One team has already been dealt a huge punishment by the NHL.

On Wednesday evening, the NHL announced it has fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 for “social interactions among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings.”

Besides the fine, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov were all placed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol Related Absence list. It’s important to note that ending up on this list doesn’t mean a player has tested positive for COVID-19.

Capitals and Alex Ovechkin release statements

“I regret my choice to spend time together with my teammates in our hotel room and away from the locker room areas,” Ovechkin said in a statement issued by the Capitals. “I will learn from this experience.”

Ovechkin’s statement paired alongside that of the Capitals, who accept their punishment from the league and will ensure the players and coaches comply with the protocols.

“Our training staff has worked extremely hard to create a safe environment for our players and staff to be able to compete this season,” read the Capitals’ official statement. “We are disappointed by our players’ choice to interact in their hotel room and outside of team approved areas. We accept the NHL’s decision and once again will reiterate the COVID-19 Protocols in place to make sure the players are in full compliance moving forward.

This isn’t the only COVID-related issue that the NHL has dealt with this season.

The Dallas Stars, the 2019-20 Western Conference champions, had to postpone their first four games of the season after 17 players tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 12. Luckily, the Stars will have their official season opener on Friday when they host the Nashville Predators.

The Carolina Hurricanes have also been placed on pause after five players were put on the league’s COVID-19 protocol list on Tuesday. As a result, Carolina’s next two games against the Florida Panthers will be postponed. However, the Hurricanes are still slated to play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 26. It is important to note that Carolina played this past Monday against the Predators and had their subsequent matchup on Tuesday postponed.

With COVID-19 continuing to spread across the nation and vaccine rollout not living up to expectations thus far, the NHL and other leagues will need its players and coaches to follow protocols to prevent a long-term shutdown. Hence why the Capitals were made an example of on Wednesday.

As of this writing, the Capitals’ next game against the Buffalo Sabres is still scheduled to take place this Friday.