Four St. Louis Blues — forwards Dakota Joshua, James Neal, Ivan Barbashev, and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo — have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols, per a team release.
There are now five Blues on the protocol list, joining Oskar Sundqvist on the list.
Barbashev’s been a shocking producer to start the year, going on a tear with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 31 games. He’d been averaging over 17 minutes a game, too, so his absence can’t be taken lightly.
Joshua, Neal, and Bortuzzo had combined for just 11 points this year, but it’s just more depth missing from a Blues roster that’s been rocked by absences all year.
Barbashev entered protocol on December 23, so he’s eligible to return three days earlier than the other three players. However, due to an open schedule, all four could come back into action on January 5 against Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, it seems like all four will be unavailable for the Winter Classic on New Years Day.
Yeah so no hockey until god knows when
i mean if we are realistic maybe a week. the NHL will eventually do what the NBA and NFL have done and change the rules on who can play. for better or for worse, allowing asymptomatic players to play is likely to happen (having already been discussed).
Can they PLEASE just stop testing asymptomatic vaccinated players already? That is the only way this season can continue and we all know it.
Clearly stated by a mind of “goo.” We should test for that too.
I suppose you have a better idea for how to move forward with the season without it either being canceled or continuing to be a farce with 80% of the league not having enough players to play on any given night?