After being added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Monday, there was some hope that McCann would be cleared to play tonight. However, McCann remains in protocol with only Marcus Johansson getting cleared to play. Alex True was recalled from the AHL and is expected to take McCann's spot in the lineup.
The Penguins were likely going to lose McCann for nothing in the Expansion Draft, so this trade brings Filip Hallander back to the organization after losing him in the Kasperi Kapanen trade. For the Maple Leafs, they will expose McCann and will likely lose him or Alexander Kerfoot. Either way, they are left with a third-line centre in the organization.
McCann has missed the six games with a lower-body injury but is set to play this afternoon vs. the Devils. With Evgeni Malkin out week-to-week, McCann will centre the Penguins' second line in his return to the lineup.
McCann has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could return Tuesday vs. the Bruins. McCann played very well in his brief return to the lineup, collecting three goals with two assists in six games while playing on Evgeni Malkin's wing.
McCann was hurt on Sunday and will not be available for Tuesday's game vs. the Rangers. With McCann out, look for Evan Rodrigues to move up to the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Kasperi Kapanen.
McCann was forced to leave Sunday's game vs. New York with an upper-body injury and head coach Mike Sullivan had this to say: "Jared's playing really well for us. It's discouraging to see him go down with an injury. Hopefully, it'll be something that won't be too long, we're hopeful here we'll get some positive news." Evan Rodrigues moved to Evgeni Malkin's wing with McCann out, so look for him to skate there Tuesday if McCann can't go.
McCann was hurt in a practice session earlier in the week and will miss at least a week with a lower-body issue. With McCann out week-to-week, it creates a hole on the Penguins' third-line, which could be filled by Zach Aston-Reese (shoulder) on Thursday.
McCann has missed two of the last three games with a lower-body issue but will play against his former team on Tuesday. With many Penguins forwards still out, McCann will be back in the second-line centre role and comes into play with three goals and one assist in seven games.
McCann was a game-time decision on Wednesday and was held out of the lineup vs. the Avalanche but was at practice on Thursday and remains a game-time decision on Friday. It looks more likely that he will play tonight than it did two days ago, but monitor his status during warmups.
