UPDATE April 9:

Some notes today from Elliotte Friedman on the 31 Thoughts Podcast. He says that the Leafs offer to test anyone who lives with one of the players upon request, and that’s how this case was caught.

So to re-iterate: a person who lives with Nylander tested postive, but because Nylander had only just returned from the road trip, and had only had contact with that person very recently, the NHL said that the incubation period of the disease meant Nylander could not have been contagious at Wednesday morning’s skate even if he was infected.

NOTE: at this time, no one knows what the results of any of his tests are.

Friedman said don’t expect clarity on that until the weekend.

UPDATE April 8:

This is likely part of the NHL’s protocol structure which confirms tests. At this time there is no official word on any testing schedule or results. Being on the list does not mean there has been a positive test.

Clarification from Friedman on the protocols.

The Maple Leafs are removing William Nylander from the game lineup, and he is isolating for precationary reasons, due to a potential exposure to Covid-19.

This comes on a day when the Vancouver Canucks have made a statement about the outbreak that is affecting almost their entire team, and as Ontario imposes a “stay at home” order.

The Canucks revealed that one person was infected with a “variant of concern” in the community and that is the source of all of their infections. They assume the entire team is affected even if some people have not yet tested positive.

The variants are thought to be significantly more infectious, that is, shorter periods of exposure while masked and observing distancing can result in transmission. Unmasked indoor exposure is extremely risky in the new paradigm of the disease.

We have no word at this time on a replacment roster player, and there is no indication any disruption in the game will occur at this time.

More updates to come.