On Wednesday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced that Tyler Bertuzzi is highly likely to miss out on several games in Canada this season because he still hasn’t had his COVID-19 vaccine shots.
Due to being unvaccinated, Yzerman pointed out that the 26-year old forward is possibly going to forfeit over $450,000 in salary for not being on the ice during those matches. It is reported that Bertuzzi will miss a total of nine games that will be held in Canada.
“I am not in a position to force anyone,” Yzerman said. “We can’t force anyone to get vaccinated.” The Red Wings general manager also emphasized that Bertuzzi’s lack of vaccination could lead to logistical challenges for the whole team. He will be required to be in quarantine each time he sets foot in the country.
According to pundits, Bertuzzi is expected to generate an estimated income of $4.75 million in the upcoming two seasons. But things are seen to go on a different route with this vaccination issue. “It’s his decision,” Yzerman emphasized. “I’ll leave it at that.”
Bertuzzi is not the first hockey personality to experience setbacks due to being unvaccinated. Besides Zac Rinaldo, who unceremoniously got axed from the Columbus Blue Jackets last Monday, former San Jose Sharks associate coach Rocky Thompson and ex-Blue Jackets assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre were also cut off from their respective teams for not getting their COVID-19 vaccine jabs.
