COVID Protocol Related Absences: 01/15/21

Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 protocol.  Today’s list is as follows:

Carolina – Jordan Staal
Colorado – Erik Johnson
Columbus – Mikko Koivu
Detroit – Christian Djoos; Darren Helm
Los Angeles – Kurtis MacDermid, Calvin Petersen, Sean Walker
Minnesota – Alex Stalock
Nashville – Mikael Granlund
New Jersey – Eric Comrie
NY Rangers – Justin Richards
Philadelphia – Shayne Gostisbehere
San Jose – Maxim Letunov
Vancouver – Jordie Benn, J.T. Miller
Winnipeg – Anton Forsberg

Staal is the big addition today after playing last night for the Hurricanes against the Red Wings. Both Comrie and Forsberg are likely included because of their change in teams after being claimed off waivers. It’s important to note that someone’s presence on this list doesn’t necessarily mean that they have tested positive. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:

(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol

As was the case yesterday, the league declined to identify anyone from Dallas and will hold off on doing so until they are able to play in their first game, now scheduled for January 22. They had a significant outbreak early in camp as 17 of the 27 players that tested positive in training camp were from the Stars.