Oilers' unvaccinated Archibald out 'until he can get up to speed': Dave Tippett
When the Edmonton Oilers took to the ice at Rogers Place on Thursday for the first official team skate ahead of the 2021-22 NHL season, there was one player conspicuously absent.
Oilers forward Josh Archibald made headlines on Wednesday when it was revealed by general manager Ken Holland that he remained unvaccinated against COVID-19.
On Thursday, the 28-year-old winger was left off the list for the Oilers team skate.
When asked about Archibald's status on Thursday, Oilers head coach Dave Tippett said the forward "just came out of a 14-day quarantine."
"No skating, no nothing, so until he can get up to speed with where the group is, he won't be with the main group."
Oilers captain Connor McDavid gave a somewhat diplomatic response when asked about the situation on Thursday morning.
"The vaccine has become such a political thing," he told reporters. "It's something a lot more than just a vaccine at this point."
"Obviously we want to do our best to protect one another, but ultimately it's everyone's choice to take it or not."
Archibald is the only member of the Edmonton Oilers who has not received a COVID-19 vaccine.
"It's everyone's choice to take it or not," said McDavid. "Everyone's responsible and has a choice and control of their own body and if someone feels the need not to get it, or doesn't want to get it, that’s their choice and you move on."
The topic was vehemently avoided on Thursday by Oilers goalie Mike Smith.
"Way above my paygrade," the veteran goaltender said when asked about the vaccination status of his teammates.
"I'm not going to talk about vaccinations, COVID. I want to talk about hockey… There's doctors that are way more knowledgeable about it than I am."
'BITTER TASTE IN MY MOUTH'
At 39 years old, Smith's chances of taking home a Stanley Cup are dwindling.
On Thursday, the Kingston, Ont., native said his team's Round 1 defeat at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets served as motivation for him to do better this season.
"There was definitely a bitter taste in my mouth," said Smith. "I proved to myself that I could play at a high level at my age."
"It kind of gave me the drive to keep going."
The Jets swept the Oilers before moving on to Round 2.
After signing a two-year, US$4.4-million extension with the Oilers over the summer, Smith is expected to edge fellow veteran goaltender Mikko Koskinen for playing time in the upcoming season.
"At some point in the season you need both guys to be playing well and both guys to contribute to team success," said Smith.
EVAN BOUCHARD 'CARRIES HIMSELF LIKE AN NHL PLAYER NOW'
As one Edmonton Oilers' playing career draws near its end, another's is just beginning.
With 21 career NHL games under his belt, the Oilers' 2018 first round draft pick, Evan Bouchard, still doesn't have much experience at the top level.
When asked about the 21-year-old defenceman on Thursday, Tippett's assessment of the young player was optimistic.
"He went over in Europe, played half a year. Continued to play, continued to grow, mature as a player," said Tippett. "He came back and probably didn't play as much as he'd like to play, but every day he was working with our group."
Tippett said the 2018 10th overall pick has been spending extra time in practice and attends every meeting.
"He understands what we're doing as a team," said Tippett. "This year, the difference that I see in him, he's gone from being a young player to he looks like a man… He carries himself like an NHL player now."
When asked about his previous NHL season, during which he played in only 14 games, Bouchard called it a "learning experience."
"Now having the opportunity to slot in. It's going to be a big camp for me and I'm going to show what I can do.
The young player said training with fellow Oilers' defenceman Darnell Nurse on smaller ice surfaces over the offseason was a good opportunity to get better.
"(Nurse) is one of the hardest working guys I know," said Bouchard.
"Getting the opportunity to skate with him, see how hard he works, and I think being on the smaller ice was good for the two of us being a bit bigger, you know, really working on your quick feet and get into the smaller zones really helps a lot."
For Bouchard, the hope is that hard work pays off going into this season.
"We're going to give him a great opportunity," said Tippett. "We need him to take a step forward for us and I have full confidence that he's going to do that."
The Oilers next big test will be against the Calgary Flames when they faceoff for their first pre-season game on Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.