The small number of teams not currently affected by COVID-related absences has shrunk by one, as the Dallas Stars placed Jani Hakanpaa in the protocol today according to Saad Yousuf of The Athletic.
Hakanpaa, 29, has filled a depth role for the Stars this season, averaging just over 15 minutes a night in 28 appearances. The hulking defenseman–who stands 6’6″–is one of the most physical players in the league, routinely separating an opponent from the puck by driving them to the ice. In those limited minutes he has 70 hits, after racking up 215 in last year’s shortened season split between Anaheim and Carolina.
One of the most imposing players in the league, losing Hakanpaa for the next ten days–assuming he tested positive, which was not confirmed by the team–would leave an interesting decision for the Stars management and coaching staff. Top prospect Thomas Harley could be recalled to enter the lineup, but he’s both not the same style of player nor the same handedness as Hakanpaa. Someone like the 6’4″ Alex Petrovic might be a more apt replacement, though he hasn’t played in an NHL game since 2018-19.
Regardless, given the depth role he plays, there shouldn’t be much issue for the Stars if it is limited to just Hakanpaa. The team is set to return to action on Monday against the Nashville Predators.
Shut down the league. Shut down the world.
Nobody cares stop posting these updates.
Its winter, most people will get colds this timea year, dont need any update when these guys get colds. Need updates on whos getting traded where and injury news awesome plays and all that and everything. But we dont care when these players are catching a cold
it is news given these guys could miss time when things start up again or may be hampered with recovery.
It’s not news. Trade rumors never posted “Connor mcDavid has a cold.” prior to 2020.
that’s because said absences weren’t usually as long. Toews was posted and he had an illness.
Berts the last unvax and all he got was a cold. Most the guys are. They just dont post their symptoms or lack thereof, just going into protocol to make it seem worse than is. Everyones already getting it and being added even afer being shut down so screw it, let em play with the cold