Two Detroit Red Wings Forwards in COVID Protocol

Detroit Red Wings forwards Michael Rasmussen and Robby Fabbri are in COVID-19 protocol. The Red Wings announced that news Wednesday before practice.

Tyler Bertuzzi is off the COVID-19 list. He played in Detroit’s Tuesday 2-1 win against the New York Islanders. Marc Staal is also off the COVID-19 list. However, he hasn’t yet played. Defenseman Danny Dekeyser tested positive for COVID a second time around Thanksgiving.

The Red Wings are scheduled to play the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday in Raleigh. However,  the game could be postponed. Six Carolina players, including Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, plus a trainer, are on the COVID list.  Their Tuesday game with the Minnesota Wild was postponed

More than 25 players, including Boston Bruins star Patrice Bergeron, tested positive since Sunday.  False positives are possible.

Flames, Predators Have COVID Woes

The Calgary Flames have seven players, including Johnny Gaudreau, on the COVID list. Head coach Darryl Sutter is also on the list, along with two assistant coaches and seven support staff. The NHL postponed their games.

Six Nashville Predators players and six members of their traveling party are on the COVID list. That list includes Mikael Granlund, Ryan Johansen, plus head coach John Hynes and his two assistantss. The Red Wings played the Predators last week in a physical contest at Little Caesars Arena.

Given the recent NHL’s COVID surge, top NHL players are discussing whether they should go to the Winter Olympics in China. Some stars expressed concerns about the possibility that they might have quarantine in China for five weeks if they test positive.

NHL Players Association officials and the International Ice Hockey Federation are trying to get some clarification on that point.

Sources said that most U.S. players are committed to playing. The NHL gave its blessing for players to go to the Games as part of collective bargaining negotiations. Commissioner Gary Bettman said it’s the players’ decision whether to play or not.