Several more NHLers added to protocol, another game cancelled; OHL team suspends activities
On both Monday and Tuesday, there was an abundance of NHL players added to the NHL's COVID protocol list, and one team in the Calgary Flames were forced to postpone three of their games as a result.
Unfortunately, things don't seem to be slowing down in that regard on Wednesday. Early this morning, the Boston Bruins announced that forward Patrice Bergeron has been placed in COVID protocol. Additionally, the Flames, who already have numerous players in protocol, announced seven more in Rasmus Andersson, Byron Froese, Johnny Gaudreau, Erik Gudbranson, Trevor Lewis, Jacob Markstrom, and Tyler Pitlick. On top of that, head coach Darryl Sutter along with Kirk Muller and Ryan Huska have also been added.
This is turning into an extremely ugly situation for the NHL, and at this point it almost feels like a stoppage of games is inevitable. Hopefully that doesn't turn out to be the case, as the league seemed to be doing so well with its players staying healthy prior to this week.
According to Salim Nadim Valji of TSN, it appears Calgary's game against Columbus on Saturday will be added to the cancellation list and more games are likely to be postponed in the coming days.
Sportsnet's Eric Francis believes the Flames will be shut down through Christmas.
The Nashville Predators have now announced that six players, as well as coaches and staff are in COVID Protocol. That includes forwards Mikael Granlund, Ryan Johansen, Matt Luff, Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino as well as defenseman Ben Harpur. Head Coach John Hynes, Assistant Coaches Dan Lambert and Todd Richards and Goaltending Coach Ben Vanderklok are also in COVID protocol.
The Detroit Red Wings have added Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen to the list.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Hockey League has temporarily shut down the Eerie Otters after 13 players tested positive for COVID.
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jake Debrusk | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Dylan Guenther | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Brock Nelson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Jonathan Drouin | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kirill Marchenko | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Kyle Palmieri | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matt Duchene | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Samuel Girard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Claude Giroux | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Oliver Kylington | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||