Could we see taxi squads in the NHL again this season?

With COVID-19 numbers on the rise in the American Hockey League, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek has suggested that it may be time for the NHL to revisit the use of taxi squads, and it's hard to argue that it would not be of great benefit to all involved.

There are currently seven American Hockey League teams who have had to endure shutdowns due to COVID-19, which has posed significant issues to NHL clubs who have been in need of AHL call-ups in recent weeks.

At this point, Marek says that Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has squashed the idea of going back to utilizing taxi squads, but will the NHL take a hard stance on that, or is there some wiggle room? Marek believes that the league may look at it again, due in part to the increase of the need for emergency backup goaltenders.

"With all the talk about (emergency goalies) and the inability to call up players from the American Hockey League, I know we don't want to discuss it but we may have the conversation about taxi squads again," Marek said on Saturday.

The NHL may have to show a little more flexibility with regard to the use of taxi squads - especially if teams are forced to rely on emergency backup goalies with more frequency, which could end up costing teams valuable points in the standings.

MUST READ

8 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Unforeseen Events Nearly Force Toronto Maple Leafs vs Utah Hockey Club Game to be Postponed

10 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks NHL Department of Player Safety Makes Official Ruling On Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes

11 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Canadian Team Unexpectedly Places 6-Foot-3 Enforcer on the NHL Waiver Wire

11 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Elliotte Friedman Hints at Trade of 30 Million Dollar Defenseman to Canadian Team

14 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

14 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

17 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

Nov 23  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

MORE STORIES