NHL reportedly implements enhanced COVID-19 protocols

The NHL is ramping up its COVID-19 protocol.

In effect to a question of affirmative tests, the league introduced enhanced measures for teams done astatine slightest Jan. 7, 2022, according to aggregate sources.

More than 2 twelve players entered COVID protocol implicit the past 2 days, with the Golden Knights abruptly connected precocious alert pursuing their crippled successful Boston connected Tuesday.

Bruins halfway Patrice Bergeron was placed successful COVID protocol Wednesday, according to the team, aft forwards Brad Marchand and Craig Smith entered the protocol hours earlier Tuesday’s game.

The Knights are scheduled to play Thursday astatine New Jersey, which is facing its ain COVID and unwellness problems.

The Devils person 3 players (forward Nico Hischier, and defensemen Christian Jaros and Ryan Graves) successful COVID-19 protocol and had respective others dealing with non-COVID unwellness during a 6-1 nonaccomplishment to Philadelphia connected Tuesday.

New Jersey canceled its greeting skate Tuesday and lone prime players participated Wednesday.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association held league calls with doctors the past 2 days arsenic the omicron variant of the coronavirus surges and causes concerns passim the league.

The enhanced protocols are akin to what NHL players experienced past season, with constricted societal interactions extracurricular of the hotel, location oregon the rink, according to ESPN and Sportsnet. Players are not allowed to dine indoors connected the roadworthy and indispensable observe societal distancing.

There reportedly volition beryllium regular tests for COVID-19 alternatively than each 3rd day, with squad meetings being held virtually. Face coverings besides volition beryllium required astatine squad facilities.

The quality came connected the heels of Ontario wellness officials unveiling rules that volition trim capableness astatine the location arenas of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors positive the Ottawa Senators to 50 percent starting Saturday.

The NHL tried to get successful beforehand of the outbreaks, sending a memo precocious that encouraged players to bounds interaction with the nationalist and each team-sanctioned vacation parties to beryllium canceled.

That hasn’t stopped the dispersed crossed the league successful caller days.

Carolina’s crippled astatine Minnesota connected Tuesday was postponed erstwhile 4 Hurricanes players tested positive. They joined 2 players and a subordinate of the grooming staff, who entered the COVID-19 protocol Monday and are quarantining successful Vancouver, British Columbia.

Calgary’s play is connected intermission until astatine slightest Saturday aft 17 players and unit members were added to the protocol connected Wednesday.

Additionally, Florida announced Wednesday that 5 players and 1 subordinate of its question enactment are successful COVID-19 protocol. And Nashville announced manager John Hynes, 2 assistants and six players were successful protocol.

Despite the outbreaks, the NHL reportedly isn’t considering pausing the season.

Contact David Schoen astatine dschoen@reviewjournal.com oregon 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ connected Twitter.