COVID Protocol Related Absences: 04/11/21
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. While the league is still waiting for a report from the Blues, here is the updated list for today from the other 30 teams:
Boston – Jaroslav Halak
Colorado – Bowen Byram
Florida – Brandon Montour*
Los Angeles – Matt Roy
St. Louis – TBA
Toronto – William Nylander
Vancouver – Travis Boyd, Jalen Chatfield, Thatcher Demko, Alexander Edler, Travis Hamonic, Jayce Hawryluk, Nils Hoglander, Braden Holtby, Bo Horvat, Quinn Hughes, Zack MacEwen, Marc Michaelis, Tyler Motte, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel, Nate Schmidt, Brandon Sutter, Jake Virtanen, Jay Beagle*
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: Adam Gaudette, Vancouver Canucks
As reported earlier, another Canucks player hit the CPRA list today in injured veteran Beagle, delaying the team’s return to action by at least a day. At least one player has been cleared, as Gaudette – the first player to hit the list at the start of the Vancouver outbreak – has been removed. Hopefully more and more Canuck names continue to come off the list in the coming days.
The only other name that is new to the list today is Montour, who is in a short quarantine period after understandably choosing to fly from Buffalo, New York to Sunrise, Florida rather than make the 20-hour drive to join his new team. So all things considered, this is a net even day for the league’s COVID cases.
*denotes new addition
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 04/10/21
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 for today:
Boston – Jaroslav Halak
Colorado – Bowen Byram
Los Angeles – Matt Roy
Toronto – William Nylander
Vancouver – Travis Boyd, Jalen Chatfield, Thatcher Demko, Alexander Edler, Adam Gaudette, Travis Hamonic, Jayce Hawryluk, Nils Hoglander, Braden Holtby, Bo Horvat, Quinn Hughes, Zack MacEwen, Marc Michaelis, Tyler Motte, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel, Nate Schmidt, Brandon Sutter, Jake Virtanen
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: Joel Armia, Montreal Canadiens; Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ottawa Senators; Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators
*denotes new addition
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 04/09/21
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 for today:
Boston – Jaroslav Halak
Colorado – Bowen Byram*
Los Angeles – Matt Roy
Montreal – Joel Armia
Ottawa – Jacob Bernard-Docker, Shane Pinto
Toronto – William Nylander
Vancouver – Travis Boyd, Jalen Chatfield, Thatcher Demko, Alexander Edler, Adam Gaudette, Travis Hamonic, Jayce Hawryluk, Nils Hoglander, Braden Holtby, Bo Horvat, Quinn Hughes, Zack MacEwen, Marc Michaelis, Tyler Motte, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel, Nate Schmidt, Brandon Sutter, Jake Virtanen
Winnipeg – TBA
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
Earlier today the Avalanche canceled morning skate because of a positive test result. Their game tonight against the Ducks is still currently scheduled to continue, though obviously, Byram won’t be part of it.
Otherwise, another good day for the NHL as the Canucks have not added anyone to the protocol. Vancouver GM Jim Benning and team physician Jim Bovard spoke with the media today and explained that the team is “moving away from the new infection phase” and starting recovery. The Canucks remain optimistic that their season can continue at some point in the near future.
*denotes new addition
Bowen Byram To Remain In NHL This Season
It should not come as much of a surprise that Bowen Byram isn’t going anywhere. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman will be in the lineup on Saturday for his sixth NHL game. In this shortened season, that means any further action will result in the first year of his entry-level contract tolling. His play tonight will not change the team’s mind, though. Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now reports that the decision has already been made that Byram will remain with the Avalanche for the rest of the season (and likely for much longer than that.)
If it wasn’t clear enough when the Avalanche traded away Ian Cole or when they subsequently risked the return, Greg Pateryn, on waivers, Byram’s role was never really in doubt. The 2019 No. 4 overall pick is an exceptional young defenseman and, as a player that Colorado hopes will be a core piece for years to come, they wanted to get him to the NHL as soon as possible. Through five games, he has given them no reason to doubt their decision. Byram recorded his first NHL point in his second game and topped 20 minutes of ice time in his fourth. He’s logged ten shots on goal, a few blocked shots, and a very impressive 59.1 Corsi For percentage. Perhaps the best thing that can be said about the rookie defenseman early on is that he actually hasn’t been that noticeable. The 19-year-old has stepped directly into a starting NHL job and has played relatively sound, mistake-free hockey thus far.
Now that his NHL job is secure, especially since he is still too young to play in the AHL, the next step for Byram is to take on even more responsibility. That may be coming sooner than later, too. The news on injured defenseman Devon Toews is not optimistic, with head coach Jared Bednar telling The Athletic’s Peter Baugh that it could be a long-term absence. Byram is among those who will be asked to step up in Toews’ place. So far, he has been somewhat sheltered in terms of minutes, match-ups, and defensive zone starts, but the two-way wunderkind will need to be ready to play a larger role moving forward. Fortunately for the Avalanche, there is no reason to believe he won’t continue to meet expectations.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 01/17/21
It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad, and although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.
- With a few players hitting the COVID protocol related absence list Saturday, the Winnipeg Jets announced they have added two AHL players to the taxi squad, including forward C.J. Suess and defenseman Nelson Nogier. Suess appeared in one game for the Jets last season, while Nogier has appeared in 11 NHL contests for Winnipeg, most of which came back in 2016-17. The team also has sent Ville Heinola to the taxi squad, while the Jets have recalled Logan Stanley.
- The San Jose Sharks moved around a few players late Saturday. The team recalled defensemen Nicolas Meloche and Nikolai Knyzhov from the taxi squad, while sending forwards Fredrik Handemark and Jeffrey Viel to the taxi squad. The team also sent forward Maxim Letunov to the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning sent defenseman Luke Schenn to the taxi squad late Saturday. The veteran was recalled Friday and appeared in Friday’s game.
- The Montreal Canadiens announced that prized rookie defenseman Alexander Romanov has been sent to the taxi squad, most likely for cap purposes. The blueliner can still travel and practice with the team and he is expected to join the team once again on Monday in Edmonton. Romanov has already played in the team’s first two games this season and has looked impressive.
- The St. Louis Blues placed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury and have recalled Niko Mikkola from the taxi squad to take his place, according to NHL.com’s Lou Korac. The 24-year-old blueliner appeared in five games for the Blues last season. St. Louis also recalled forward Jake Neighbours and defenseman Jake Walman from the AHL and assigned them to the taxi squad.
- After being recalled Saturday, the Calgary Flames announced they have assigned forward Derek Ryan and defenseman Oliver Kylington to the taxi squad following their game Saturday. Ryan has appeared in both games for the Flames so far this year.
- The Nashville Predators announced they have assigned forward Mathieu Olivier to the taxi squad. Olivier made his season debut Saturday, playing 11:58 of ice time, while posting six hits and two blocked shots.
- The Colorado Avalanche moved defenseman Bowen Byram to the taxi squad, according to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. Byram, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft, hasn’t appeared in a game yet for the Avalanche. Head coach Jared Bednar said that he has a plan for when Byram will make his debut, but said he isn’t sharing that information right now.
- The Los Angeles Kings announced they have assigned defenseman Mark Alt from the taxi squad to the Ontario Reign of the AHL. The 29-year-old played one game for the Kings during their season opener, but likely will spend most of his time between the AHL and the taxi squad. The veteran has only appeared in 19 total NHL games, spending most of his career in the AHL.
- The Boston Bruins have assigned forward Trent Frederic to their taxi squad. The 22-year-old has appeared in both of the Bruins games so far this year, but hasn’t produced a point.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled forward Pierre Engvall from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, and moved him to their taxi squad, according to CapFriendly. The 24-year-old hasn’t made an appearance yet for Toronto. He played in 48 games for the Maple Leafs last year, scoring eight goals and 15 points.
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 01/16/21
It appears as though there will be daily movement this season between the active roster and taxi squad, and although some major names may be highlighted in separate articles, this is where you’ll find the majority of shuffle news each day.
- The Canadiens announced (Twitter link) that they’ve recalled center Jake Evans from the taxi squad in advance of their game tonight against Edmonton. The 24-year-old served as their fourth-line pivot in their opener against Toronto and should be in that role against the Oilers as well.
- Morgan Geekie has been summoned from Carolina’s taxi squad, per a team release. The recall is on an emergency basis and may pertain to Jordan Staal’s placement on the COVID-protocol list on Friday. Geekie played in two games with the Hurricanes last season, recording three goals and one assist.
- The Avalanche announced (Twitter link) that they have assigned defenseman Conor Timmins to the taxi squad. Meanwhile, blueliner Bowen Byram was recalled from AHL Colorado. To make room on the taxi squad, forwards Shane Bowers and Logan O’Connor were assigned to the Eagles. Timmins has played in both games so far this season, logging a little over 15 minutes per night.
- The Maple Leafs have recalled winger Nicholas Robertson from their taxi squad and sent Alexander Barabanov down, the team announced. Robertson played in four games against Columbus in the Qualifying Round last summer but tonight marks his first regular season NHL contest. Barabanov, meanwhile, has played in both games for Toronto so far but logged just 4:19 on Friday night against Ottawa.
- The Kings have made a series of roster moves, notes Jack A. Harris of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). With Cal Petersen, Sean Walker, and Kurtis MacDermid all being activated to the roster from the COVID protocol list, defenseman Mark Alt and Tobias Bjornfot along with goalie Jacob Ingham were sent to the taxi squad. To make room on that group, Los Angeles also assigned defenseman Austin Strand and goalie Matthew Villalta to Ontario (AHL).
- Nashville has recalled forward Mathieu Olivier from the taxi squad, adding some physicality up front. The big forward made his NHL debut last season and saw eight games of action with the Predators while also setting new AHL career highs with the Milwaukee Admirals in his second pro season. The Mississippi native could be a frequent fourth line option for Nashville this season given his size, engery, and propensity for checking.
- Derek Ryan and Oliver Kylington have been activated to the roster of the Calgary Flames, the team announced. Two of the bigger names to hit the waiver wire during training camp, Ryan and Kylington both cleared and were assigned to the taxi squad. However, it didn’t take long for the pair to get back in action for Calgary.
Kirby Dach Named Team Canada Captain
Though it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, Kirby Dach was officially named team captain today for Canada at the World Junior Championship. The Chicago Blackhawks forward has a full NHL season under his belt and is expected to be one of the most effective players in the entire tournament. He’ll be joined in the leadership group by Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram, who have both been named alternate captains for the event.
The captaincy is often given to a returning player, but Dach actually didn’t get to play for Canada last year because he was too busy with the Blackhawks. The 19-year-old forward was picked third overall in 2019 and stepped nearly directly into the NHL, scoring 23 points in 64 games with Chicago. His play in the postseason bubble was even more impressive when he was one of the most dangerous players on the ice for the Blackhawks and recorded six points in nine games.
Cozens meanwhile returns to the WJC after dominating a year ago, scoring nine points in seven games for Canada to help them win the gold medal. The Buffalo Sabres prospect trailed only Alexis Lafreniere and then-captain Barrett Hayton in scoring for the team and should be another top player for Canada this year. An absolute freight train when he gets up to full speed, Cozens’ size, skating ability, and reach make him an incredibly difficult player to contain.
Byram will wear an “A” and likely anchor the top pairing for Canada after playing a lesser role last year at the tournament. The fourth-overall pick from 2019 has almost limitless upside at the offensive end and should be a big part of Canada’s quick transition game. Another excellent young defenseman in the Colorado Avalanche system, this WJC could certainly be his coming out party in front of the rest of the hockey world.
Hockey Canada Announces Final World Junior Roster
After a month-long selection camp that included a two-week quarantine period, Hockey Canada has finally made their final cuts and announced the roster that will be competing at the upcoming World Junior Championship. The event starts in two weeks in Edmonton, Alberta and will host teams from all over the world. The best junior-aged players will compete for gold in a year unlike any other.
Because the NHL has not started yet, players like Kirby Dach and Quinton Byfield will get the chance to compete for Canada at the end of 2020. Dach missed the tournament a year ago thanks to his commitments with the Chicago Blackhawks but should be a leader this year at the tournament. Byfield meanwhile will get a chance to convince the world that his struggles at the event last year were not indicative of his talent, while trying to add a second gold to his trophy cabinet.
Canada’s roster is loaded up front, with incredible offensive talent all the way to the final forward spot. But perhaps their defense too will be a force with names like Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale leading the way. In net, somewhat unheralded prospects will get the chance to prove they are winners, with Taylor Gauthier the only undrafted player on the final roster.
The full roster is as follows:
F Kirby Dach (CHI)
F Connor Zary (CGY)
F Dylan Holloway (EDM)
F Cole Perfetti (WPG)
F Jakob Pelletier (CGY)
F Alex Newhook (COL)
F Ryan Suzuki (CAR)
F Connor McMichael (WSH)
F Peyton Krebs (VGK)
F Quinton Byfield (LAK)
F Dawson Mercer (NJD)
F Dylan Cozens (BUF)
F Philip Tomasino (NSH)
F Jack Quinn (BUF)
D Braden Schneider (NYR)
D Kaedan Korczak (VGK)
D Bowen Byram (COL)
D Thomas Harley (DAL)
D Jamie Drysdale (ANA)
D Jordan Spence (LAK)
D Kaiden Guhle (MTL)
D Justin Barron (COL)
G Devon Levi (FLA)
G Taylor Gauthier (undrafted, eligible for 2021)
G Dylan Garand (NYR)
This means that Mavrik Bourque, Samuel Poulin, Donovan Sebrango, Ryan O’Rourke, Jamieson Rees, Seth Jarvis, Graeme Clarke, Gage Goncalves, and Lukas Cormier were the team’s final cuts.
Prospect Notes: 2021 Draft, Team Canada, Merkley
The focus for hockey fans right now is on the upcoming NHL season, but for many 2021 draft-eligible prospects, the concern is just trying to get on the ice at all. The OHL and WHL haven’t started yet, while the QMJHL is about to shut down for a month due to increasing coronavirus numbers. Several NCAA schools have shut down their hockey programs for the year, while overseas leagues are routinely dealing with outbreaks of their own. It makes determining a draft ranking exceptionally difficult, but Scott Wheeler of The Athletic (subscription required) tried anyway, putting together his top-64 today.
At the very top without much surprise is Owen Power, the University of Michigan freshman that has dominated at every level of minor hockey. Power has the size—he stands 6’5″ and is well over 200 lbs—and skating ability to be a difference-maker in the NHL, potentially at a very young age. That said, he doesn’t project to have quite the same offensive upside as someone like Rasmus Dahlin, which means he isn’t a sure thing for the first-overall selection just yet. The 18-year-old defenseman was in the middle of some controversy last month when his college team wouldn’t release him for Team Canada’s World Junior selection camp, meaning he (likely) won’t get a chance to show what he can do on the world stage. Still, playing (and dominating) at Michigan should be more than enough for scouts to form a strong opinion on the young defender and decide whether he’s worth that top spot.
- Wheeler’s colleague Corey Pronman does his best to project what Canada’s roster will be like when the coaching staff cuts it down from 49 to 25 for the tournament later this month. Among his “locks” to make the team are Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale, who will return on defense and are a big reason why the loss of Power won’t really matter to the Canadians. Byram, the fourth-overall pick in 2019, and Drysdale, the sixth in 2020, could make up one of the most dynamic and skilled pairings in World Junior history should they play together for Canada. Both players can score at an elite level and skate among the best in the world, which should put them in the NHL before long.
- One young forward that never managed to make Team Canada at the WJC is now trying to lock down a role in the NHL, as Nick Merkley‘s loan with Assat in Finland comes to an end. The 23-year-old was a first-round pick in 2015 but has just two NHL games under his belt so far and is now with his second organization. In his 19-game stint overseas the New Jersey Devils forward scored 13 points, all of them after going scoreless in his first four. Merkley signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Devils in October, accepting his qualifying offer amount to try and prove he can hack it at the NHL level.
Hockey Canada Announces 2020 World Junior Selection Camp Roster
12:10pm: A few hours after this roster was published, Team Canada has gotten a big addition. Kirby Dach will also be attending the camp, loaned by the Chicago Blackhawks to the program. As Darren Dreger of TSN tweets, the young forward would return to the Blackhawks if the NHL starts before the tournament. Dach, 19, didn’t play in the tournament a year ago because he was busy suiting up in the NHL, where he scored 23 points in 64 games and was one of Chicago’s best players in the postseason.
10:15am: The World Junior Championship will be played in a bubble this year, using the same Edmonton locations that the NHL did in their return to play. Since junior and professional leagues in North America are not operating at full capacity right now (if at all), the Team Canada selection camp for the tournament will be an unprecedented 28-day event starting on November 16 in Red Deer, Alberta. 46 players have been named to the selection camp roster, vying for spots on the team that will play in late-December.
The roster includes:
G Brett Brochu (2021 draft eligible)
G Dylan Garand (NYR)
G Taylor Gauthier (2021 draft eligible)
G Tristan Lennox (2021 draft eligible)
G Devon Levi (FLA)
D Justin Barron (COL)
D Bowen Byram (COL)
D Lukas Cormier (VGK)
D Jamie Drysdale (ANA)
D Kaiden Guhle (MTL)
D Thomas Harley (DAL)
D Daemon Hunt (MIN)
D Kaedan Korczak (VGK)
D Mason Millman (PHI)
D Ryan O’Rourke (MIN)
D Owen Power (2021 draft eligible)
D Matthew Robertson (NYR)
D Braden Schneider (NYR)
D Donovan Sebrango (DET)
D Jordan Spence (LAK)
F Adam Beckman (MIN)
F Mavrik Bourque (DAL)
F Quinton Byfield (LAK)
F Graeme Clarke (NJD)
F Dylan Cozens (BUF)
F Tyson Foerster (PHI)
F Gage Goncalves (TBL)
F Ridly Greig (OTT)
F Dylan Holloway (EDM)
F Seth Jarvis (CAR)
F Peyton Krebs (VGK)
F Hendrix Lapierre (WSH)
F Connor McMichael (WSH)
F Dawson Mercer (NJD)
F Alex Newhook (COL)
F Jakob Pelletier (CGY)
F Cole Perfetti (WPG)
F Samuel Poulin (PIT)
F Jack Quinn (BUF)
F Jamieson Rees (CAR)
F Cole Schwindt (FLA)
F Xavier Simoneau (2021 draft eligible)
F Ryan Suzuki (CAR)
F Philip Tomasino (NSH)
F Shane Wright (2022 draft eligible)
F Connor Zary (CGY)
Obviously, the biggest omission here would be top draft pick Alexis Lafreniere, but given his previous comments about wanting to focus on the New York Rangers and making the transition to the NHL, it shouldn’t be too surprising. Hockey Canada could add him to the group at any point should NHL training camps be delayed further, but at this point, it appears as though the tournament will not feature the first-overall pick.
On the other side of that coin however is Byfield’s inclusion, giving the Canadians a superstar talent to build their forward group around. Byfield would be one of several returning players to the tournament and could be part of an outstanding offensive attack. One of the biggest stories will be whether that attack includes Shane Wright, the youngest player invited and one of the next great Canadian prospects. The 16-year-old center was granted exceptional status to enter the OHL a year early and ended up winning the CHL Rookie of the Year award by putting up 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games for the Kingston Frontenacs.