Nashville’s list of players in COVID protocol continues to grow as the team announced (Twitter link) that defenseman Mark Borowiecki along with another member of their travelling party have been placed in COVID protocol. The blueliner becomes the eighth active Predators player on the list of those unavailable to play while five other staff members – including their coaching staff – aren’t with the team at the moment either. Despite that, they are not among the teams that have had games postponed yet with the Preds taking on Chicago tonight.
More from the Central Division:
- Although the Blackhawks have just one goaltender under contract for next season (prospect Arvid Soderblom), the team has not yet engaged in extension discussions with either Kevin Lankinen or Marc-Andre Fleury, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription link). While Fleury is understandable – there’s no word on whether or not he’d be open to the idea and that needs to be determined before starting talks – the fact that they haven’t discussed anything with Lankinen’s camp is a bit surprising. His numbers are down a bit from last season but with his limited NHL experience (just 47 career games), he’s someone that should be cheaper than several veteran backups to keep around. With several key players needing new deals for next season, securing at least one goalie should be fairly high on interim GM Kyle Davidson’s list over the coming weeks.
- Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon re-aggravated his lower-body injury and had already been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Florida before it was postponed earlier today, relays Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Speaking after the game, head coach Dean Evason had a rather grim comment about his captain’s health, simply saying “It’s not good” which suggests Spurgeon could be out a little longer than just a game or two.
- The Jets are the latest team to have to cut their capacity, announcing (Twitter link) that their capacity will be cut to 50% for four of their upcoming games beginning on Tuesday. Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal have all had their capacity cut in recent days in accordance with provincial health guidelines.
A whole lot of goalies hit the market this summer: Koskinen, Kuemper, Merzlikins, Greiss, Korpisalo, Francouz, Holtby, Campbell, Halak, DeSmith, Rittich, Forsberg, Elliott, Petersen … counting RFAs, there are over EIGHTY of them. The Blackhawks will have no trouble in obtaining one — the more so that with $25 million coming off the books, they’ll have the cap room to spend — and Lankinen has shown nothing to suggest he’s a priority keeper, so far.
I’d be less concerned with them signing a cheap backup than a GOOD backup.
Elvis merz and petersen are not free agents they resigned
The Preds could call up their entire ECHL affiliate and still win every game. It really is that bizarre.
@Gbear – I wish you hadn’t said that with the “outside voice.” Their ECHL crew’s coming next, as they prepare for their next 10-game heater… :)
@Mac – Gotta tell you that I’m having a hard time countering the “sports is fixed crowd” of late. How does a team that has virtually the same roster and coaching staff as last season, where they routinely gave up 40 to 50 shots a game, all of a sudden become the 1977 Montreal Canadians and hold teams to a dozen SOG thru two periods almost every night?
That roster they played with the past two games would’ve lost 8-1 to any team not long ago. Weird stuff.
P.S. Hope Santa brings me an Everblades jersey for Christmas. Snazzy looking thread!
@Gbear – Are you describing the Nashville Cats, or the Ducks? Different colors, same results! Very weird stuff, to quote…you!
Well, “Santa”, if I were you, I’d get Donner and Blitzen on that jersey duty, since Rudolph’s in the bin for “unsportsmanlike conduct – diving.” The #43 train hit him squarely in the hindquarters, no elbows…*this time*… :)