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The Montreal Canadiens are handling Max Domi appropriately

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 08: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens hands a puck over to a young fan during the warm-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 08: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens hands a puck over to a young fan during the warm-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on February 8, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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With the NHL adamant on putting in measures to keep players safe, the Montreal Canadiens are doing the right thing in taking precautions for Max Domi.

It seems as if measures regarding the NHL returning have hit another gear after the calendar struck June. We learned of the league’s plans for Phase Two of the Return to Play procedure, which would include players, in no more than groups of six, be able to go to training facilities to work out and/or take to the ice. With the Montreal Canadiens being one of the 16 teams given an opportunity to compete for a playoff spot, they would definitely need time on the ice to coordinate with their teammates, and Phase 2 allows that.

Phase 3 and Phase 4 are further down the road and won’t begin until the league has more clarity on where they plan to finish the season and whether the measures they’ve put into place are safe for all players. COVID-19 is a serious matter, and the health of all players, staff and management are essential here. That’s why Marc Bergevin‘s words on Max Domi are so crucial.

The day after information about Phase 2 was announced, NHL general managers spoke to the media, including Bergevin. He discussed the team’s chances in the Play-in round against the Pittsburgh Penguins and what it could mean to have playoff hockey for the Montreal Canadiens once again.

However, there is the elephant in the room when it comes to the NHL’s Return to Play plan and COVID-19. Domi is a type-1 diabetic, and his story to make his way to the big league, inspired by Flyers great Bobby Clark, has been an inspirational one. That said, there are some health risks when it comes to Domi’s diabetes, ones that can make him more susceptible to being sick than others.

According to Bergevin, no other players on the Montreal Canadiens have a condition that would warrant any extra fear. So it was the right move for him when he said Domi won’t play if doctors confirm it wouldn’t be safe because of his diabetes.

On a personal note, it’s a difficult decision. Domi has never played in the playoffs before and seems to excel in those high-octane energy moments. Getting three wins against the Penguins to get in will be one of the most difficult challenges this team has faced. Although Domi hasn’t had the same flare at times this season, we’ve seen how he responds in those kinds of moments.

Next. A full AHL year for Poehling. dark

But there are more important things than hockey, and this is one of those things. The Montreal Canadiens are absolutely doing the right thing in letting the doctors handle this arm of the conversation. And if he has to sit, it could be an opportunity for someone else to step in.

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