Almost the entire NHL is expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the time the season begins on Oct. 12. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly estimates that 98 percent of the players will be vaccinated, leaving between 10 and 15 players without among roughly 700 on 32 teams across North America. The league and NHL Players’ Association did not impose a vaccine mandate on players, but restrictions—including the potential of not being able to cross the border from the United States into Canada without a lengthy quarantine—contributed to the number. “We weren’t really trying to convince each other one way or the other,” Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty said. “But then I think when the NHL released that statement that you lose pay and stuff like that, that kind of changed some guys’ minds.” Teams will be able to suspend unvaccinated players without pay if they cannot participate in hockey …