NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks had not been directly touched by COVID-19 protocols since Corey Crawford before the Stanley Cup playoff bubble. But that streak ended when Adam Boqvist and Alex DeBrincat were placed into the protocol on Monday. It isn’t clear why they were added (remember, that doesn’t necessarily mean they *have* COVID-19 right now), but they are there and will be unavailable for at least two weeks for the Blackhawks, according to head coach Jeremy Colliton.
Jeremy Colliton says DeBrincat and Boqvist will be out 2 weeks on the COVID list.
"We're doing the best we can, everyone is, but the world we're living in right now. We're not in a bubble. It would've been naive to think it wouldn't touch us at some point."
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 26, 2021
Colliton expanded on what it has been like operating under the COVID protocols since the league resumed in the summer.
#Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton on COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/cYVgSU9aZ5
— Brandon Cain (@brandonmcain) January 26, 2021
DeBrincat and Boqvist had been living together last season and from what was seen on social media, were likely living together again during this season. They will be out for at least two weeks, missing at least seven games during that time.
Summarizing Nikita Zadorov's thoughts on Alex DeBrincat & Adam Boqvist being in COVID protocol:
No excuses. Every team's going through it. Or if they aren't they probably will be .It's the world we're living in right now. We've got to let it go and try to win hockey games.
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) January 26, 2021
Lucas Carlsson will get his first shot playing with the Blackhawks this season in place of Boqvist starting on Tuesday night against the Predators, while Matthew Highmore will replace DeBrincat, although shifts in the lineup will undoubtedly occur.
