(New York) The games the Calgary Flames were scheduled to play until Thursday, December 16 inclusive have been postponed due to concerns over COVID-19.
The National Hockey League made the announcement in a press release Monday morning.
The decision was taken after consultations with the league’s medical entities, the Players’ Association and the club, the NHL said in its press release.
The Flames were scheduled to travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks there in the only game on Monday. They were scheduled to visit the Nashville Predators on Tuesday and host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
At the earliest, the Flames could play their next game on Saturday at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In its statement, the NHL explained that six players and a member of the team’s staff were placed in the protocol related to COVID-19 within a 24-hour interval.
On Monday morning, the Flames said the players in question are forwards Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Brad Richardson and Adam Ruzicka, as well as defenders Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov.
The NHL has expressed concerns about continued spread and the possibility of new positive cases over the next few days.
The league also said the team’s training complex has been closed, a move that took effect immediately and will be maintained until further notice.
The NHL has also started the process to change the Flames’ schedule.
Despite losing their last four games, the Flames (15-7-6) sit second in the Pacific section, one point behind the Anaheim Ducks with two games in the bank.
So far this season, the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders have also seen some of their games postponed due to COVID-19. Three Senators games and two Islanders had to be postponed.