According to journalist Frank Seravalli, of Daily Faceoff, the NHL and its Players Association would have come to an agreement, in the evening, so that the activities of the 32 league teams are completely suspended from December 22 to 25.
The players would return for the first time to the facilities of their respective teams on December 26, among other things to take a test for COVID-19, before games resume the next day.
Monday was hardly more enjoyable than the previous ones for all the teams of the National Hockey League – and its fans – since its activities were further slowed down.
In the morning, the Bettman Circuit announced that the duel between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Sabers in Buffalo had been postponed. Indeed, the Ohio team had had to cancel their training the day before after adding the names of forwards Boone Jenner and Jack Roslovic, as well as defenseman Gabriel Carlsson, to the list of players unavailable due to the coronavirus. However, those of goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo, forward Eric Robinson and full back Andrew Peeke were added the next day.
Also, the Jackets won’t see any action until Dec. 26, as the NHL has confirmed the postponement of their Thursday clash, also against the Sabers, but this time in Columbus.
Senators cancel practice
The Ottawa Senators have decided to cancel their Monday morning practice as a precautionary measure.
According to the Postmedia network, the team in the federal capital is awaiting several tests for COVID-19 and would prefer not to take any chances.
On Saturday, in the last game of the “Sens”, assistant coach Davis Payne was not behind his club’s bench when he dropped the flag 4-3 in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers. He did not accompany the team on his return to Ottawa and his name was added Monday to the list of people subject to the protocol.
The Senators have had their three scheduled clashes before the Christmas break postponed due to COVID-19.
At first, the NHL put the Boston Bruins on hiatus due to an outbreak of the virus. They were to be at the Canadian Tire Center on Sunday.
In addition to the “Bears,” the Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs are off until December 27, after that several members of these organizations had contracted the coronavirus.
Secondly, on Sunday, the NHL announced that it was postponing all of its cross-border clashes. As a result, the Senators’ duels against the St. Louis Blues (Monday) and the Carolina Hurricanes (Thursday) collapsed.
The “Senses” are scheduled to resume action on December 27 by visiting the Capitals in Washington. Until then, the organization would still like to be able to exercise a few times before the Christmas break.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have also announced the postponement of a game, the one scheduled against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. The Edmonton Oilers have closed their training facilities throughout the holiday break.
On the Seattle side, the Kraken canceled their Monday morning training session and their Tuesday night game against the Arizona Coyotes will likely suffer the same fate, according to “Phoenix Sports”. Yanni Gourde, Colin Blackwell and Riley Sheahan have meanwhile been released from COVID-19 protocol.
– Elsewhere in the circuit, some hockey players have also submitted to the protocol. San Jose Sharks veteran Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith and Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes do, as does Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan. Among the Oilers, Darnell Nurse and William Lagesson are affected.