NJ Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood still undecided if he should get vaccinated
The Daily Goal Horn
|
New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood admitted he has yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, a decision that potentially could keep him from participating in some games this season.
“I’ve not decided one way or the other whether I’m doing it. I’m taking a little bit of extra time,” Blackwood said. “I have a couple of health concerns and health reasons why I’m working through it a little slower. I wanted to check off a couple of boxes, and not rush to do it.”
[brid video=”860701″ player=”23765″ title=”5%20Teams%20That%20May%20Surprise%20This%20Season” duration=”undefined” description=”These five teams could surprise during the 2021-22 NHL Season! The Rangers, Blackhawks, Bruins, Canucks, and Kraken are ready to go” uploaddate=”2021-09-09″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/thumb/860701_t_1631222939.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/18116/sd/860701.mp4″]
Mackenzie Blackwood currently unvaccinated
NHL teams are allowed to suspend unvaccinated players if they can’t participate in club activities, such as playing a game, due to contracting COVID-19. The league is not allowing unvaccinated players to compete in games in Canada. The Devils do not play north of the border until Dec. 3 against the Winnipeg Jets.
The NHL estimates approximately 98 percent of its players will have been vaccinated before the season begins Oct. 12.
Blackwood, 24, said he is weighing a number of factors in his decision.
“First and foremost is health. Second of all, the social impact it has on my teammates and myself. I care about every single person in that dressing room and I would never want to put them in a situation where I make their job on the ice harder or put them in a position to lose,” Blackwood said. “The financial loss isn’t something that I’ve thought about, because it’s not as important to me.”
Blackwood sported a 14-17-4 record with one shutout, a 3.04 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 35 games last season. He signed a three-year, $8.4 million contract in December.
The Devils selected Blackwood in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He has played 105 games with New Jersey, posting a 46-41-12 record with a 2.83 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and six shutouts.
–Field Level Media