Head coach Lindy Ruff of the New Jersey Devils tested positive for COVID-19 hours before Friday afternoon’s game against the Edmonton Oilers and has been isolated from the rest of the squad .
The Devils broke the news about 45 minutes after Ruff missed a pre-game press conference.
When the press conference began, assistant coach Alain Nasreddine appeared in front of the media and announced that he was going to lead the team.
Nasreddine, who usually takes care of defensemen during a game, clarified that Ruff will remain at the Prudential Center for the game. He added that the two men would be in communication during the meeting.
The 61-year-old Ruff was hired as a head coach in the shortened 2020 season and his team missed the playoffs. The Devils currently sit seventh in the Metropolitan section.
Nasreddine coached the Devils on an interim basis for 43 games in the 2019-20 season, following John Hynes’ firing in early December. He posted a 19-16-8 record.
When he was hired, Ruff kept him on his assistant staff.
Two additions to the Senators
The names of forwards Josh Norris and Tyler Ennis of the Ottawa Senators have been subject to the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol.
The Senators broke the news Friday morning, on the eve of their duel against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
In passing, the Senators announced the recall of forwards Clark Bishop and Logan Shaw from their reserve squad.
The Senators haven’t played since December 18. Their home games last Wednesday against the Boston Bruins and today against the Pittsburgh Penguins have been postponed.
By mid-afternoon Friday, the Senators learned that Monday’s home game against the Minnesota Wild was postponed to a later date as yet undetermined.
NHL officials made the move due to restrictions on the number of spectators who can access indoor arenas in Ontario.
Norris is third among the team’s scorers with 22 points in 28 games. He leads the Senators with 14 goals.
Ennis has one goal and 11 assists in 26 outings this season.
The Senators now have three players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The name of goalkeeper Anton Forsberg was submitted to it on Monday.