LIVE BLOG: Monitoring the NHL’s rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak
UPDATE: 10 p.m. est — A bit of a late night update after what has been a hectic Tuesday. In Edmonton, head coach Dave Tippett was held out for precautionary reasons.
In Philadelphia, Flyers forward Morgan Frost was pulled from the game partway through for COVID-19 precautions.
Yeo says that Frost was pulled because of COVID protocols.
— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) December 15, 2021
We’ll be back Wednesday morning with more information.
UPDATE: 4:10 p.m. est — The Nashville Predators are awaiting tests results and there’s believed to be “a handful” of potential COVID-19 positive cases.
To add some gloom on a difficult day for #NHL: Hearing there are a handful of potential positive Covid-19 players on #preds. Waiting on confirmation.
Stay tuned. Lots happening today.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 14, 2021
According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, there haven’t been any discussions around a potential pause to the NHL season due to the COVID cases.
Just talked to someone in the NHL league office.
As of now, there’s been no discussions about pausing the season due to COVID cases.
NHL & NHLPA have a regularly scheduled call (will happen tonight or tomorrow) where they will discuss if there’s a need to enhance protocols.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 14, 2021
UPDATE: 2:50 p.m. est. — The Edmonton Oilers have placed forward Ryan McLeod in COVID-19 protocol, Jason Gregor reported. Frank Seravalli has also reported that a member of Edmonton’s coaching staff could be joining McLeod in protocol.
There’s no word yet on whether that will effect tonight’s game between the Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Oilers place Ryan McLeod in COVID protocol. Kyle Turris will dress tonight. Could cause some line juggling.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) December 14, 2021
#Oilers Ryan McLeod may not be alone on the protocol list. Sounds like EDM has a potential positive on the coaching staff, as well. Believe they are re-testing to make sure there’s not a false positive.@DailyFaceoff
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 14, 2021
UPDATE: 2:25 p.m. est. — Confirmation on tonight’s cancellation between the Carolina Hurricanes has come down. According to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, four Hurricanes players have tested positive for COVID-19.
Hearing tonight's #mnwild #nhlcanes has been postponed. Canes have 4 more positives today, sources say.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 14, 2021
UPDATE: 1:55 p.m. est. — The Vancouver Canucks officially added Juho Lammikko to the COVID-19 protocols.
The Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday night game against the Minnesota Wild is in jepoardy, The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports.
I’m hearing the #nhlcanes have more positive COVID-19 results. They’d already have to play with 11 forwards and 7 D and can’t call anybody up due to cap issues, so it’ll be interesting if tonight’s #mnwild-Canes game is in jeopardy
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) December 14, 2021
ORIGINAL:
Nearly a dozen NHL players have entered COVID-19 Protocol on Tuesday morning in what has been the single worst day of protocol placements in the 2021-22 season.
As teams hit the rinks Tuesday morning, so did players being placed into protocols. As of 12:45 (EST), a number of players had officially entered COVID-19 Protocol:
#NHL COVID list just today…
– Barzal (#Isles)
– Toews (#GoAvsGo)
– Smith (#NHLBruins)
– Lomberg (#TimeToHunt)
– Monahan (#Flames)
– Lucic (#Flames)
– Hanifin (#Flames)— Daily Faceoff – Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) December 14, 2021
- New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal
- Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews
- Boston Bruins forwards Craig Smith and Brad Marchand
- Florida Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg
- Calgary Flames forwards Sean Monahan and Milan Lucic
- Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin
- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn
The NHL currently has 30 players in COVID-19 protocols at the time of this writing, but that is subject to change.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.