We’ve already seen the NHL postpone games this season due to COVID-19 outbreaks within clubs, most recently the Calgary Flames, who had six players and one coach test positive on Monday morning, which triggered the postponement of the Blackhawks-Flames game scheduled that evening. And now we’re seeing the Nashville Predators with a small outbreak of their own developing.
• Nashville appears to be dealing with multiple positive tests among both players and coaches, as Frank Seravalli reported early this morning:
In addition, sounds like #preds may also be facing multiple positive tests among their coaching staff. Should have more info in the morning, but NSH is not practicing tomorrow.
Scheduled to host #Avs on Thurs. https://t.co/szcBCI3Rkh— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 15, 2021
• The Predators are scheduled to play the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday and then the Blackhawks on Friday, and I would imagine that both of those games are in danger of being postponed at this point. That would make two games this week that the Blackhawks lost to a postponement.
• It’s hardly surprising that the NHL is dealing with a spike in positive COVID cases right now, though, as the NBA and NFL are both fighting the same battle. The NFL recorded a record 75 positive tests in the past two days. The NBA recently paused the Chicago Bulls schedule after ten players on their active roster (and two broadcasters) were placed in the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols.
• According to Emily Kaplan, the NHL isn’t discussing pausing the season due to the surge in COVID cases. Still, the NHL & NHLPA had a regularly scheduled call last night in which they likely addressed whether or not there is a need to enhance protocols around the sport.
Just talked to someone in the NHL league office.
As of now, there’s been no discussions about pausing the season due to COVID cases.
NHL & NHLPA have a regularly scheduled call (will happen tonight or tomorrow) where they will discuss if there’s a need to enhance protocols.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) December 14, 2021
• With the latest surge in COVID cases stateside and afar, the NHL and their players heading to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics now seems unlikely, with many players expressing their concerns for the COVID protocols in place amid this recent surge.
Marc-André Fleury Expresses Concerns Over Olympic COVID Protocolshttps://t.co/DmUd7cg7Nb
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 13, 2021
• Despite their United Center co-tenants dealing with a COVID outbreak, the Blackhawks seem to be doing pretty well in following the protocols in place “to a T,” as interim head coach Derek King put it on Monday after practice.
Derek King said that tonight’s game getting postponed is a reminder to follow COVID-19 protocols: “It’s the whole, make sure we remind our guys — masks, wash your hands, stay out of the crowded areas — and we’re following protocols to a ‘T.’” #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/JnBfDY8nbZ
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) December 13, 2021
• Shifting gears here to a much happier topic, Blackhawks’ radio analyst Troy Murray will be in the booth tonight with John Weideman calling the Blackhawks and Capitals game on WGN Radio!
So happy to be back in the saddle at the UC in front of the best fans in the NHL for the game against the Caps with my partner John Weideman on @WGNRadio….Thank you to everyone for the amazing support as I continue my battle with Cancer. 🙏🏻❤️
— Troy Murray (@muzz19) December 15, 2021
• The former Blackhawks player and current radio voice has been sidelined for much of his ongoing battle with cancer. Still, there’s been no shortage of support and love from everyone associated with the Blackhawks and the rest of the hockey world. It’ll be nice to hear Murray’s voice on the call this evening.
• Settlement discussions between the Chicago Blackhawks and the lawyers representing Kyle Beach will meet via video conference today to discuss the settlement. Last night, Rick Westhead of TSN reported that both sides have already presented their positions to a third-party mediator.
Lawyers for Blackhawks & Kyle Beach will meet via video conference on Wed. to discuss settlement. Both sides have presented a mediator with their positions. Talks are non-binding.
Rocky & Danny Wirtz expected to participate, though they won't be in the same "Zoom room" as Kyle.— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) December 14, 2021
• Quick, someone ask John Tortorella how horrible this goal is for hockey!
This was a cool goal by Kasperi Kapanen pic.twitter.com/kPylrx83DC
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 15, 2021
• The former NHL coach (and let’s keep it that way) made sure to get on his old man soapbox and slam last week’s awesome ‘Michigan’ goal by Anaheim’s Sonny Milano and Trevor Zegras because he was “just not so sure it’s good for the game.”
"I'm just not so sure it's good for the game"
John Tortorella gives his opinion on the Milano/Zegras goal that shook the hockey world earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/gQWDV67UMA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 11, 2021
• To think that Tortorella was one of the first names mentioned when the Blackhawks fired Jeremy Colliton last month makes make cringe. Who the hell wants this guy and his ancient views back in an NHL rink and playing an active role in today’s game!? Not me. I don’t even want to see him spewing his gospel on ESPN. This network just paid a bazillion dollars to acquire the majority of the out-of-market rights to the NHL and has a plethora of talented and forward-thinking analysts that can replace Torts already on their payroll. Launch the dinosaur to the moon and move on. Mario had more thoughts on it here:
On Second Thought, John Tortorella Isn’t the Guy for the Blackhawkshttps://t.co/s9GIVRd2D5 pic.twitter.com/P8Zh02M6iZ
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 11, 2021
• If the NHL is going to champion things like this and market them as the “future,” then maybe they should make sure that the talking heads presenting their game to their future audiences are on the same page.
THE FUTURE IS HERE 🙌 @tzegras11 | @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/qTH6rjLqdc
— NHL (@NHL) December 10, 2021
• Speaking of the future, Riley Damiani logged his first NHL goal in his debut for the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, and it was a dandy:
Terrific night for @rileydamiani!
First NHL game: ✅
First NHL goal: ✅ pic.twitter.com/bqwSElLNYM— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2021
• Bodies in front of the net = 🚨’s!
Right place, right time for Valeri Nichushkin.
📺: @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/CLqyKVUD2q pic.twitter.com/mClS0Z6Anj
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2021
Justin Faulk shot it, Nathan Walker might have tipped it, and NHL dot com says the goal belongs to Dakota Joshua.
We don't care. It's still 2-1. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/ptCyT5ETQ9
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 15, 2021
• Cam Atkinson recorded his seventh career hat trick and first with the Flyers as Philadelphia crushed the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night:
Cam Atkinson completes the hat trick and extends the Flyers' lead! pic.twitter.com/kSLjlfVW7j
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 15, 2021
• The Leafs and the Oilers got together last night in a matchup featuring three of the most prolific scorers in hockey in Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisaitl. Matthews struck first and extended his point streak to 10 games:
12-5–17 in a 10-game point streak for Auston Matthews (@AM34). 🔥 pic.twitter.com/EeZfFloo53
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2021
• And then he added another for good measure, his 20th goal of the season as the Maple Leafs routed the Oilers in Edmonton.
That's 20 goals for Auston Matthews (@AM34)! Are you giving him your #NHLAllStar Fan Vote?
Vote 👉 https://t.co/JOMxUndKd8 pic.twitter.com/WasLjlZ9k6
— NHL (@NHL) December 15, 2021
• Last but certainly not least today, Sidney Crosby made history on Tuesday night, becoming the 14th player in NHL history to record 400-plus multi-point games with a pair of assists.
With 2 assists tongiht, Sidney Crosby becomes the 14th player in NHL history to record 400+ career multi-point games.
His post-game comments are presented by Sheely's Furniture, Appliances, & Mattresses pic.twitter.com/mKKpcXxQxA— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) December 15, 2021