CRANBERRY, Pa. -- As of Thursday morning, there were a combined 40 players from 13 different teams on the NHL's COVID Protocol list -- including the Penguins' John Marino.
Being on the list doesn't necessarily mean that a player has tested positive. Players can be put on the list for "(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol."
Still, with several outbreaks now on different teams less than a month into the NHL season, the NHL is looking to take steps to stop the potential spread of COVID-19.
The NHL on Thursday announced several new measures that aim to do just that.
“As we continue to learn about the nature and transmission of COVID-19, we are trying to identify the relevant aspects of our game that are either unique or common among other sports and adjust our Protocols accordingly,” said Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, NHL Chief Medical Officer. “We will continue to analyze all of these factors and the related medical data will continue to drive all of our decisions.”
The league is taking several steps that aim to improve air flow and quality on the bench during games. Teams must remove the glass behind the home and visiting team benches prior to Thursday's games. The league is also looking into adding portable air filtration systems to go behind the player bench areas.
Teams must create a way for players to remain six feet apart while in their stalls in the locker room, which may necessitate adding temporary stalls in order to ensure proper distancing.
The biggest change that may affect players' game-day routines is the league's rule to limit time spent together at the arenas. Players may arrive to the arena no sooner than one hour and 45 minutes before puck drop, "except to receive necessary treatment or to engage in preparations." Meetings are to be held virtually whenever possible, and players should leave the arena as quick as possible after games.
Players spoke about some of the changes after practice.
"We just got the update, you're not allowed to be in the building two hours before, which has been the standard for as long as I've been here," said Zach Aston-Reese. "That'll throw a bit of a curveball."
"Obviously the league is reacting to what's happening right now," Kris Letang shrugged. "It's normal. They want to keep their players safe, try to find ways to make it safer, also to try to find ways to get our stuff done but in a different way. Yes, we have habits, but I don't think it's the end of the world to have to move a meeting 15 minutes or do a meeting on a Zoom call. I think everything can be done, and we just have to change things a little bit."
"I guess when you're going through the season, it can be easy to compare it to a usual season and then start getting a little anxious about the fact that there are a lot of things that are different," Mike Matheson said. "But I always try to remind myself that there's a lot of things going on in the world that are a lot worse and more difficult to deal with. So if you compare it to that instead of what we're used to, everything seems pretty minor."
