The Maple Leafs have placed defenceman TJ Brodie, goaltender Jack Campbell, defenceman Travis Dermott, head coach Sheldon Keefe and assistant coach Spencer Carbery into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
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Some more names added to the Leafs COVID Protocol list
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
By Jon Steitzer
Dec 18, 2021, 18:11 ESTUpdated: Dec 18, 2021, 18:19 EST
If you were planning on seeing the Leafs play hockey again before Christmas, I think you’re out of luck. If you are hoping to see them again before the New Year, that also looks unlikely as the Leafs just added a number of new names to their COVID Protocol list…
So with 10 Marlies also tested positive with COVID, and no real relief in sight, I think we chalk this up to a bad situation, but a situation made marginally better by the fact that the Leafs aren’t playing.
Here are a few notes from Dubas’ earlier press availability that hinted at the further testing that was coming:
Dubas said #Leafs did another round of rapid tests today that were all negative; team is waiting in Vancouver until PCR tests come in before all those who are negative will depart for Toronto. Still coordinating travel for those who are positive.
Dubas said Marlies are up to 10 positives, so that's an outbreak. All players and staff are isolating for 10 days per Toronto health guidelines.
Dubas on getting positive #Leafs home: "We're just learning how. They can't go on commercial flights, so we're trying to work through all the options and abide by every rule to get them from Vancouver to Toronto in the next day or so and get them into isolation."
Kyle Dubas on whether an NHL-wide pause is being discussed: "It's not been brought up to us. I'm hopeful that that's not necessary, but I think as we've all learned as we've gone through this, every day is a new day. It's impossible to say what tomorrow will bring."
So there’s certainly a lot going on with this. While the majority of positives have been asymptomatic, or mild cases, the better safe than sorry attitude is the best approach. Even if the the NHL and NHLPA aren’t willing to cancel Olympic participation, there’s no reason that season can’t be extended a couple of weeks to deal with the growing concern that has around 10% of the league in COVID protocol at the moment.
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