Hockey injuries are certainly nothing new to the Montreal Canadiens. From minor cuts and bruises to concussions and situations which could cause a player to miss an entire season, hockey is indeed a rough sport. In the past, injury reports would often determine the outcome of a specific game and in some circumstances, the performance of an entire team. This is why some fans might find it a bit odd to learn that the Habs have elected not to report any post-season injuries.  Why is this the case and what effects might such a move have upon their overall outlook?

All About a Greater Sense of Confidentiality

Oddly enough, this move seems due in part to the recent global pandemic. It appears as if management sought to keep the identities of those who tested positive for the virus entirely private. This actually made a great deal of sense, as such players might have otherwise been placed under a significant amount of stress due to rumours and similarly public issues which have reared their heads in the past.

So, it is logical that the Habs wished to extend this sense of privacy to cover all injuries that could occur during the postseason. However, it should be noted that any positive COVID-19 tests will still be announced to the public without the names of the players in question being used.

What About Transparency?

Things are certainly picking up throughout the hockey community.  Players are returning to the ice while the NHL is said to be deciding upon a hub city to ensure that all health concerns are addressed during matches. This brings up an important question. How might the decision to withhold injury-related information impact the sport from a long-term point of view? In other words, will hockey become less transparent as a result of these actions?

The answer to this question is difficult to determine at the moment. The chances are high that teams will adopt a more liberal policy towards injuries as current restrictions ease in the not-so-distant future. Still, fans are likely to have a more difficult time ascertaining the status of their favourite teams if injuries are no longer factored into the larger equation.

Fans who are keen on following the Habs in detail might be slightly disappointed in these regards. If these reports are not made available, we also have to wonder how aficionados will react. Might they adopt a watch-and-wait approach before drawing any realistic conclusions? Only time will tell.

Either way, the good news is that the Habs (and Canadian hockey as a whole) seems to be getting back on track after a lengthy hiatus. There is no doubt that fans and players alike will be quite eager to pick up where they left off. Whether the rules regarding injury disclosures will be modified in the future yet to be seen. Regardless of this situation, the fact of the matter is that hockey will once again entertain us for hours at a time.