Dec 17: The cases continue for Calgary, who have added Mikael Backlund and another member of the support staff to the protocol. The team has now reached 31 cases, including 19 players.
Dec 16: The Flames have announced three more additions to the protocol. Dillon Dube, Oliver Kylington, and another member of the support staff are now ruled out.
Dec 15: The Calgary Flames have announced that 17 more people have been entered into the COVID protocol. Seven players, three coaches, and seven support staff. Rasmus Andersson, Byron Froese, Johnny Gaudreau, Erik Gudbranson, Trevor Lewis, Jacob Markstrom, and Tyler Pitlick have joined the other players, while Ryan Huska, Kirk Muller, and head coach Darryl Sutter are also now in the protocol.
Just seven active players are not in the protocol for the Flames. Games had been originally postponed through tomorrow, but there is no way the Flames can ice a roster for Saturday unless a huge number of these are false positives that are confirmed negative in the coming days. That certainly doesn’t look like the case given how many other positives there have been, meaning the Flames will be dormant for a while longer.
Notably, the Flames were already on a four-game losing streak when they were originally shut down, meaning this could be a critical time for the organization’s Stanley Cup hopes. Depending on how long the league keeps them dark, they may have to return to the ice extremely shorthanded and at the very minimum will be rusty from spending a minimum of ten days in quarantine. The hope is obviously that none of the players, coaches, or staff experience any serious symptoms and can get back on the ice as soon as possible.
Eric Francis of Sportsnet passes on some good news. Assistant general manager Chris Snow, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2019, is not one of the staff members that has tested positive.
wowzers
This all but guarantees the league isn’t going to Beijing. it was unlikely anyway but with this many positives on one team, and the positive tests increasing, the league will need that time to make up games. Also, they may instruct teams that they risk not having games postponed due to outbreaks if players test positive overseas and have to quarantine in China forcing them to use AHL players or emergency call ups.
Then let them use them. Give them a chance at some spotlight if someone do test positive. Oh boo hoo you might be over there for 3 extra weeks if you test positive. Waaahhhh. Hockey players usedta be the toughest around. Playing hockey through acl tears and basically bone on bone knee rubbage for 3 series is fine and okey.
A chance of having to be in a space by yourself for 3 weeks. OH GOD NO HOW WOULD WE BE ABLE TO EVER CONTINUE LIVING LIFE!!!! i dunno how long olympics last but ime guessing some would only be there a couple days longer from testing positive early in tourney.
Crybaby ass lookin lil sissies
Exactly…it’s not like they were asked to wear a mask in a grocery store for 9 minutes or something tyrannical like that. Everyone is so soff now, eh?
Many have stated they will not go if they have to quarantine.
OMICRON???