Report: NHL to stop testing asymptomatic players for COVID-19 after All-Star break

The NHL’s current protocol will remain in place until Feb. 3, at which point optional taxi squads will likely also be eliminated.

Then after one negative test is required for re-entry to team facilities following the All-Star break, testing will only be “for cause,” either for players and staff who develop symptoms, or require testing for cross-border travel.

Many players will not even need to test prior to cross-border travel, since so many have tested positive recently.

The NHL told teams on Tuesday that approximately 73 percent of players have tested positive this season, while approximately 60 percent have tested positive in the last five weeks alone.

According to data tracked by Daily Faceoff, 445 players have tested positive since Dec. 11 when the omicron variant began spreading rapidly, which represents more than 60 percent of the league’s 736 available roster spots.