Mark Jankowski and Brandon Tanev have been added to the NHL's COVID protocol list.
Jankowski being unavailable likely means that Drew O'Connor will get back into the lineup. O'Connor was assigned to the active roster earlier in the day. O'Connor has played both wing and center in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during his AHL stint, and got time on the power play and penalty kill. He scored three goals and two assists in six AHL games.
Jankowski was "unavailable" for Saturday's morning skate, but Tanev skated with Teddy Blueger and skills coach Ty Hennes before the morning skate.
Players put on the NHL's COVID Protocol list are unable to travel, practice, or play with the team.
Being put on the list does not necessarily mean that a player tested positive for COVID-19.
Per an NHL release earlier in the season, 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."
Teams are not allowed to disclose the reason for a player being on the list or to comment on how long he may be unavailable. How long a player is on the list depends on his reason for being on the list. An asymptomatic player must receive negative tests on consecutive days in order to be taken off the list.
