The NHL's coronavirus situation worsened Wednesday as players and staff from three more teams were added to the league's COVID-19 protocol list, including seven players, three coaches and seven support staff with the Calgary Flames.
The NHL also canceled a fourth Flames game, Saturday's home matchup against Columbus. Coach Darryl Sutter and two assistants were on the protocol list along with players including Rasmus Andersson, Johnny Gaudreau and others, raising the number of Calgary players in protocol to 16.
The league said Calgary's "return to game play is being delayed at least through Saturday" following discussions among medical experts for the league, player's union and team. Calgary's training facilities were closed to players until further notice.
In all, more than 140 NHL players have been on the protocol list this season — including more than two dozen in the last two days.
It is a discouraging trend for the league, which plans to allow its players to participate in the Winter Olympics in China in February unless COVID-19 disruptions prove to be too much.
Four teams — Calgary, Carolina, Ottawa and the New York Islanders — have had outbreaks that have forced game postponements, a total of 10 in all. The NHL and NHL Players' Association met Tuesday night and again Wednesday to review COVID-19 protocols.
In Boston, Patrice Bergeron became the third Bruins player in two days to enter the COVID-19 protocol, following leading scorer Brad Marchand and fellow forward Craig Smith. All three could be out until late December; coach Bruce Cassidy, who tested positive Nov. 30, just rejoined the team on Monday.
In Nashville, the Predators said coach John Hynes, two assistants and six players, including Mikael Granlund and Ryan Johansen, were now in COVID-19 protocol. The news came one day before the Predators were scheduled to host Colorado.
In the Ontario Hockey League, the Erie Otters suspended team activities Wednesday after 13 players tested positive for COVID-19. Two Erie games later this week were postponed.
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