NEWSLETTER
Another day in the NHL. More COVID cases. Let’s get into it.
• This list compiled by Melissa last night, was already out of date as soon as she posted it. But, at the time, 60 players had been placed in COVID protocols for the week.
Sixty (60) #NHL players have entered the league's COVID-19 protocols in the last four days.
It was 58 when I started writing this Tweet, then Burakovsky & Compher got added. pic.twitter.com/gf2lz3V7wL
— Melissa Burgess (@_MelissaBurgess) December 16, 2021
• Then the Avalanche had Cale Makar and Darcy Kuemper land in COVID protocol shortly before the game.
Makar and Kuemper added to protocol close to game-time…joining Burakovsky, Compher and Toews. According to several sources, the Avalanche were given the option of not playing tonight, but voted to do so. https://t.co/IQmMWIli7d
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 17, 2021
• Props to the Avalanche for trying to still play the game, against the Predators no less (who had their AHL coaches coaching the game and had half a dozen players out as well), but to continue to force teams to play with shorthanded lineups for reasons outside of salary cap constraints is ridiculous.
NHL can not continue to (a) play through a pandemic where players are leaving the lineup every night and (b) restrict teams from replacing those players in the lineup because of cap considerations.
People pay a lot of money to watch this product. There's gotta be a better way. https://t.co/Bp5260TsyI
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) December 16, 2021
• Already this morning, the Flames have added two more people to their growing COVID protocol list and the Oilers have added Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to theirs.
• The NHL needs to do something. Pause the season, bring back the Taxi Squads, something.
One take I don't agree with: "pausing the NHL season won't fix anything."
Pausing would allow for…
– Stopping the slew of current outbreaks, getting teams back to square 1
– Getting more players booster shots
– Setting up new, stricter protocols for when they return
…?
— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) December 17, 2021
• Two hours prior to puck drop last night, the Montreal Canadiens announced that there would be no fans allowed in the Bell Centre for last night’s Canadiens-Flyers game.
The Canadiens Will Play with No Fans Tonighthttps://t.co/S8njthsApv
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 16, 2021
• Yep, we’re back to this…
Didn’t think I’d see this scene again. pic.twitter.com/QsMROmxZjC
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 17, 2021
• Remember these sights and “sounds?”
The Canadiens drum guys are here. pic.twitter.com/FmTVwqW3FK
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 17, 2021
• Back to an empty arena having to make do. Having fun yet?
This intermission is actually quite great, with the DJ doing his usual set and them just showing the game ops staff on the scoreboard. pic.twitter.com/FmCuwAnC3L
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 17, 2021
• The All-COVID team would win a Gold Medal at the Olympics. But, it would also have to stay in China for an extra month after the Games were over.
Courtesy of @mattyports, the all-Covid protocol team would be a true-talent 132-point team. pic.twitter.com/mQYBy4ibj2
— dom at the athletic (@domluszczyszyn) December 17, 2021
• Anything fun going on in Bears world?
There It Is: Chicago Bears Reportedly Doing Homework on a New GM to Replace Ryan Pacehttps://t.co/srdiUTE1eJ
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 17, 2021
• How about in Bleacher Nation-world? Vote for Michael!
Round 2! Vote for me again!
(This is bad for my health). https://t.co/4ZxrYv6Yyk
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) December 16, 2021
• Speaking of winning, the Vancouver Canucks are 6-0-0 since Bruce Boudreau took over.
That's six wins in six games for Bruce Boudreau and the @Canucks, their longest winning streak since a 7-0-0 run from Dec. 19, 2019 – Jan. 4, 2020.#NHLStats: https://t.co/APmf2zQ9mR pic.twitter.com/ctGAp3AFEc
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 17, 2021
• It appears making coaching changes in-season is the way to go in the NHL this year.
• After the Blackhawks made their in-season coaching change, they have gone 10-6-0. They are still digging themselves out of the 1-9-2 hole they were in to begin the season, but if things continue on their current pace, could the get into the postseason chase?
Could the Blackhawks… Might They…Maybe…No…But, Maybe…Make the Playoffs?https://t.co/Ziaf01cBu5
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 16, 2021
• Probably not. But, maybe.
• Short bullets today since I’m exhausted from talking about COVID and that has become the prevalent storyline in the NHL this week. Take a page from Roquan Smith today and just be kind to yourselves and others.
Good morning pic.twitter.com/nVnSS8IWfY
— Ro (@RoquanSmith1) December 17, 2021
• That will do it for today. Hope you all enjoy your Friday ahead.
• We’ll see you tonight for Blackhawks-Predators at 7:30 p.m. CT…as long as the game doesn’t get postponed.
