COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/19/21
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
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
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
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
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
Snapshots: Jets, Americans, Kallionkieli
The Winnipeg Jets are in action tonight against the Montreal Canadiens after going 7-2-1 in their last 10, climbing all the way to second in the North Division. One might assume that the team is looking to supplement their imposing roster in a trade and do it soon, given the two-week quarantine any newcomer will require if he comes from a U.S.-based team.
Speaking with reporters including Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff explained that he is willing to make another deal to improve the club if the fit is right, regardless of COVID protocols and the wait. Mattias Ekholm has been linked to the Jets in recent days, but Cheveldayoff wouldn’t comment on any specifics.
- The Rochester Americans are still not playing thanks to at least one positive coronavirus test and have announced a new postponement for this week. The team’s Wednesday game against the Syracuse Crunch has been postponed with no current makeup date, while Saturday’s game that was already pushed will now be played on May 3. The Americans players continue to be unavailable for the Buffalo Sabres as they stay in the protocol.
- The Henderson Silver Knights have a new player to use after Marcus Kallionkielli was reassigned from Finland to the AHL today. The 19-year-old was a fifth-round pick in 2019 and spent part of last season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. In nine games with HIFK’s junior squad in Finland this season, he recorded five points.
Tarmo Reunanen Recalled By New York Rangers
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
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
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/14/21
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. With a full report in on time from all 31 teams, here is the list for today:
Edmonton – Kyle Turris
Los Angeles – Olli Maatta
New Jersey – Will Butcher
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson*, Jean-Gabriel Pageau*
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe*
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: Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins; Marcus Sorensen, San Jose Sharks
It wasn’t quite an even day for the NHL in their battle against the Coronavirus. Boston’s DeBrusk is off the CPRA list after just 24 hours, while Sorenson is removed after a longer stint. However, there are three new additions out of New York in the Islanders’ Pageau and Dobson plus the Rangers’ Di Giuseppe. Pageau in particular was curiously absent from the Isles’ lineup for their Sunday afternoon contest without any explanation from the club, but as assumed he has been sidelined by the league’s COVID Protocol. The team surely hopes it is a case of a false positive or some other minor occurrence, as Pageau is even more important to New York right now given the long-term injury absence of Anders Lee.
*denotes new addition
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 03/13/21
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. Though the complete update came in late, here is the list for today:
Boston – Jake DeBrusk*
Edmonton – Kyle Turris
Los Angeles – Olli Maatta
New Jersey – Will Butcher
San Jose – Marcus Sorensen
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
Although a new name was added to the CPRA list today while none were subtracted, the NHL is still operating at a low number and have avoided any team-wide breakouts for weeks now. The few cases at a time in recent weeks seem to be limited to isolated infections or, in many case, false positives. The last Boston Bruins to enter the COVID Protocol, Charlie Coyle, was found to be the victim of a false positive and was back in action after just two days. The injury-plagued Bruins expect and hope that the same will be true with DeBrusk.
*denotes new addition