Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

COVID Protocol Related Absence

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/22/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the list for today

Boston – Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, Sean Kuraly, David Pastrnak, Craig Smith
Montreal – Joel Armia*, Jesperi Kotkaniemi*
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe, Brett Howden* (plus their coaching staff)

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: Zach Sanford, St. Louis Blues

Sanford’s appearance was confirmed as a false positive, and the Blues forward admitted he already had the virus in December so was surprised when he ended up in the protocol. Now removed, he’s expected back in the lineup for St. Louis.

Armia’s appearance is an ominous one as the North Division works to stay postponement-free this season. There have been very few names from the Canadian division even enter the protocol, even fewer stay for very long. Hopefully, Armia’s name will be removed in the coming days, but he will not be available for Montreal tonight. After an update, Kotkaniemi also appeared on the list for the Canadiens, meaning Montreal will need to dip into their taxi squad for tonight’s game.

*denotes new addition

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/21/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the complete, updated list for today:

Boston – Sean Kuraly, Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, David Pastrnak, Craig Smith
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus their coaching staff)
St. Louis – Zach Sanford

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: Alexandre Texier, Columbus

It’s certainly encouraging that there were no new additions to the list from Boston given their recent outbreak or from anywhere else in the league.  Things went in the right direction today with Texier being activated and immediately sent to the taxi squad, a move that may be more procedural than anything else since the youngster only missed two games while being in the protocols.

*denotes new addition

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/20/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the complete, updated list for today:

Boston – Sean Kuraly, Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, David Pastrnak, Craig Smith
Columbus – Alexandre Texier
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus coaching staff)
St. Louis – Zach Sanford*

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: None

The outbreak in Boston remains a concern, but no additional Bruins and no Buffalo Sabres being added to the list today is encouraging. The hopes is that Boston, who will remain quarantined until Wednesday, will then be able to move forward and the NHL can get back to trending toward an empty CPRA list.

They did move in the wrong direction today, though. Sanford’s addition in St. Louis adds a ninth player and fifth team to the list. However, if this is another case of a false positive then Sanford’s stay could be short. In the meantime, Sanford will miss the Blues’ Saturday night match-up.

*denotes new addition

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/19/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the list so far:

Boston – Sean Kuraly, Jake Debrusk*, David Pastrnak*, David Krejci*, Craig Smith*
Columbus – Alexandre Texier
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus the coaching staff)

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: None

The news in Boston led to two games being postponed, even though the team played last night against Buffalo. In the release, however, the NHL was optimistic the team would be able to open up their facilities next Wednesday. If these players are not back by then it would be a very difficult test for the Bruins, given how important the group is.

This is the second event that includes the Sabres and has terrible optics for the league, given that all four of the Bruins added today played last night against Buffalo, despite Kuraly being added earlier in the day. It’s key to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean they have tested positive though and the league has more detailed medical information than it shares with the public.

After being made a late addition to the list, Vegas’ William Karlsson was removed from the list just hours later with a confirmed false positive test.

*denotes new addition

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/18/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the list so far:

Boston – Sean Kuraly*
Columbus – Alexandre Texier
Minnesota – TBA
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus the coaching staff)

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: None.

The Rangers coaching staff will not travel with the team for their two-game set against the Capitals this weekend, meaning Kris Knoblauch will remain behind the bench alongside Gord Murphy and Chris Drury. That didn’t seem to slow the team down at all last night as they took home an incredible 9-0 win over the Flyers.

Kuraly was the player who entered the protocol for the Bruins earlier today, initiating contact tracing for the club and forcing them to cancel morning skate. After further testing it was ruled that the game can go as scheduled tonight.

*denotes new addition

Buffalo, Boston Cancel Morning Skates Due To COVID

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

12:30pm: Both the Sabres and Bruins have announced that after further testing and tracing, tonight’s game will go on as scheduled.

9:50am: Both the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins canceled their morning skates today due to separate COVID-19 situations. The Sabres were first, canceling their practice due to a staff member entering the COVID protocols, according to John Vogl of The Athletic. The team immediately began contact tracing. Just a few minutes later, the Bruins announced they would also not hold a morning skate as one of their players has entered the protocol.

The two teams were set to play each other this evening in the first of a two-game series. It is not clear yet if the game will be played but it is currently still scheduled.

Boston has not released any information about who has entered the league’s protocol, but it will be made public when the COVID Protocol Related Absences list comes out later today.

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/17/21

at CDT | by 1 Comment

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. Here is the list so far:

Columbus – Alexandre Texier*
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus the coaching staff)

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: Pavel Buchnevich, New York Rangers; Adam Fox, New York Rangers

It’s huge news that the Rangers will get Buchnevich and Fox back, two of the team’s most important players. It isn’t all good news though as the entire coaching staff—David Quinn, Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown—have all been ruled out due to the COVID protocols. The Hartford Wolf Pack’s coaching staff, plus associate general manager Chris Drury will be behind the bench for tonight’s game.

Texier’s absence was already reported this morning and he is expected to miss at least the next two games thanks to the protocol, according to the team. The young forward was missing because of a different illness, but won’t be able to join the team on the road trip.

*denotes new addition

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/16/21

at CDT | by 1 Comment

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. Here is the list so far:

NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe, Pavel Buchnevich, Adam Fox

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: Kyle Turris, Edmonton Oilers; Will Butcher, New Jersey Devils

No new additions so far today and a couple of names come off the list. Importantly, Turris ended up being the only Oiler that hit the list. The North Division hasn’t had a single game postponed so far, a record that the league would obviously like to keep intact as long as possible.

*denotes new addition

Tarmo Reunanen Recalled By New York Rangers

at CDT | by 8 Comments

The New York Rangers will play as scheduled tonight, but due to their placement in the COVID protocol, they won’t have the services of Phillip Di Giuseppe, Pavel Buchnevich, or, most importantly, Adam Fox. The team has recalled Tarmo Reunanen from the Hartford Wolf Pack to make his NHL debut in place of Fox, while Julien Gauthier and Brett Howden will get back into the lineup for the other two.

Losing Fox is a huge blow, given he leads the team in average ice time by nearly three minutes. The 22-year-old defenseman has 15 points in 26 games as he continues the stellar play that landed him fourth in Calder Trophy voting last season. There aren’t many players in the entire NHL that carry as much responsibility as Fox does for the Rangers, who play him heavily on both special teams and are even starting him in the defensive zone more often this season. It’s not clear if he has tested positive for coronavirus, but if his absence is a lengthy one, it could spell trouble for a team that is already sitting just under .500.

In Reunanen though, there is a good bit of intrigue. The 23-year-old defenseman was a fourth-round pick of the team in 2016 but didn’t come to North America until this season. He has performed quite well over the last two seasons in Finland and has five points in his first eight games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. At some point, the team was going to need to give him a chance in the NHL to see what they have, though obviously losing Fox wasn’t what they had envisioned.

It will be interesting to see how much ice time they give the rookie in his debut, or how much they shelter him with easier deployment. The team is coming off a big win against the Boston Bruins and are still just seven points out of the final playoff spot in the East Division, even though they hold a record of 11-12-3. With the Jack Johnson experiment potentially over—the veteran cleared waivers earlier today—and Tony DeAngelo still removed from the team, it would be a huge development for them to find something in Reunanen.

COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/15/21

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

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. Here is the list so far:

Edmonton – Kyle Turris
New Jersey – Will Butcher
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe, Pavel Buchnevich*, Adam Fox*

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. 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

Players removed today: Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders; Olli Maatta, Los Angeles Kings

For the Rangers, seeing two more names pop up is certainly not a good sign. The team canceled their morning skate today but as of now are still scheduled to take on the Flyers this evening. Perhaps that will change in the next hour, but if not, the team will be without some key players. Fox, in particular, is an important cog who averages over 24 minutes a night and plays on both special teams. In fact, one could argue that he is the team’s most important player given how much he contributes at both ends of the rink. Losing him for tonight is bad, but if he remains on the list for a while the Rangers will be hard-pressed to replace his production.

*denotes new addition

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top