Every time any of the professional leagues in North America try to come together for the start of a season, there’s some starting pains — just ask the German and Swedish teams at the recently completed World Juniors. Players travelling from all over into singular locations have led to multiple breakouts
Well, with NHL training camps under way for a few days we saw two teams get hit with outbreaks. The most serious was the Dallas Stars, with six players and two staff testing positive.
NHL statement on the Dallas Stars. https://t.co/AsYqpL4XK3 pic.twitter.com/r2iT8vYWH0
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 8, 2021
As a result, their camp and facilities are shut down, and all their games are being pushed back until at least January 19th, maybe later. This means they will start the season almost a week later than everyone else, and will have to find a way to make up their games.
Columbus, meanwhile, seem to have had an outbreak as well....
#CBJ missing from skate today:
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 8, 2021
F Emil Bemstrom, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Max Domi, Nick Foligno, Nathan Gerbe, Liam Foudy, Mikhail Grigorenko, Boone Jenner, Mikko Koivu, Eric Robinson, Alexandre Texier.
D Vladislav Gavrikov, Seth Jones, David Savard, Andrew Peeke, Michael Del Zotto.
Now I count a lot more than six players that the Stars said tested positive. But there may be other issues — visa problems (see: Kapanen), injuries, personal issues, or being isolated because they may have been in contact with players who tested positive.
So far, those seem to be the only two teams with significant issues. I can promise it won’t be the last before the season starts, and there will likely be more outbreaks through the season.
ONTO THE LINKS
A reminder that tonight’s White vs Blue scrimmage will be televised.
Nic Petan on waivers today | by Katya
Why I Hate the Ottawa Senators | by Katya
Know your Enemy: The Ottawa Senators | by Katya
Leafs Prospect Roundup: Analyzing Leafs’ WJC performances | by Katya at TLN
Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Musings: Starting lines, Defensive Depth, and Special Teams | by Katya at MLHS
Meet the Leafs’ Mikko Lehtonen: ‘The way he plays the game there’s no faking it’ | by Katya at The Athletic
Sportsnet announces 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs broadcast schedule | by Katya at Sportsnet
Andersen blocks out contract noise, focuses on upcoming season | by Katya at TSN
A lovely story of a recent hiring by MLSE for their new Marlies equipment manager.
Steph’s #hockey dreams began in Toronto. What an amazing full circle moment. 🥺https://t.co/kfPdO1M1S3 https://t.co/y0RdlPcQPB pic.twitter.com/iZ64D44HR6
— Gillian Kemmerer (@gilliankemmerer) January 8, 2021
If you missed it, the Leafs are apparently playing around with new powerplay units:
#Leafs power play units:
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 8, 2021
Tavares-Nylander-Hyman-Spezza, Lehtonen
Matthews-Marner-Thornton-Simmonds, Rielly
An update on Alex Kerfoot, who was injured earlier in training camp after crashing into the boards:
Sheldon Keefe can't say yet whether Alex Kerfoot will be available for #Leafs in Wednesday's opener https://t.co/nDmb5WKXAf
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 8, 2021
A great shift by Leafs prospect Lil Caesar (because Veni Veeti Vici) lead to an assist:
Veeti Miettinen (#29) legitimately looks better every game. Completely takes this shift over before getting an assist.
— Nick DeSouza (@NickDeSouza_) January 9, 2021
He's at 14 points (and counting) in 12games. pic.twitter.com/Ni6UrltkY6
Another European prospect of the Leafs showing off his pipes.
Joe Thornton singing Britney Spears on Swiss TV might be the best thing I’ve discovered on the Internet. #SJSharks #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/9mkFdRFZch
— SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) January 8, 2021
I’ll end this FTB with a random highlight from the last NHL season that was in my mind for no particular reason...
