League-leading goal-scorer David Pastrnak has missed his second straight day of practice with the Boston Bruins after missing the early part of the week due a league-mandated quarantine period for players returning from Europe. While Pastrnak himself has tested negative for COVID-19, as it turns out he is back in quarantine after coming into contact with an individual who had tested positive, according to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa.
Pastrnak, as well as fellow European returner Ondrej Kase, missed Monday and Tuesday while in quarantine but returned Wednesday to re-join the team. However, head coach Bruce Cassidy announced on Thursday that the duo had been labeled “unfit to participate” and would be out for an indeterminate amount of time. It has since been clarified that Pastrnak was not permitted to practice with the team due to contact with a positive COVID-19 individual. It is unclear whether Kase has been missing for the same reason.
Meanwhile, the two worked out together privately at a local rink Friday. The team certainly hopes that the pair will be at full speed by the time they depart for Toronto to begin round robin play, whether they are able to resume group practice soon or not. Pastrnak is obviously one of the more dangerous scoring forwards in the league and a crucial part of Boston’s offensive attack, while Kase was acquired from the Anaheim ahead of the trade deadline for a hefty price and is expected to be a key piece moving forward. Kase was quiet through six games with the Bruins before the league suspended play, but the hope is that he will be the fit at right wing alongside David Krejci that the team has been searching for.
So what happens when it’s a month into the playoffs and a team’s #1 goaltender or best player is “exposed to a COVID positive person” and is forced into 2-week quarantine? The Stanley Cup this year is not going to go the best team. They should’ve just packed it in and focused on next year not also being a joke.
Hahaha. So then the cup never goes to the best team. Injuries is a thing that happens. This is just like an injury. They are pushing this because players don’t get paid for playoffs so they’re doing whatever they can to get profits and not have teams go bankrupt
It’s not just like an injury. Pastrnak is neither injured nor sick. It wouldn’t be that difficult to set up an opposing player coming into contact with a COVID positive person and having them mandated into quarantine.
They wouldn’t even have to actually come in contact with a COVID positive person, it could just be someone they come into contact with claiming they have it. With HIPAA combined with NHL protocols and public health protocols, that would be enough for a player to be sent to quarantine.
I can see it now: Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final and Coach Berube demands that Pastrnak and Rask be tested prior to puck drop due to a rumor about them passing by an asymptomatic person in the hallway. Cassidy responds by saying the Blues hotel rooms are covid hot spots. How will the refs rule on this? :D
@Gbear – BOTH teams are guilty of playing with illegal sticks! Errr…illegal players! Double-forfeit! Cup is now awarded to the Ky-Yoots! Now, get out there to The National and do your league proud! Last one to the 1st tee loses his foot-wedge privileges! :)
@Mac – The good news now for Toronto fans is that due to the Blue Jays not being able to play baseball in Toronto, they will instead compete for the Stanley Cup and give Toronto two entries in the tournament! :D