The Calgary Flames are the third team this season to see games postponed due to COVID protocol issues. It was announced by the NHL that their next three games will have to be rescheduled after six players and one staff member were entered into COVID-19 protocol over the past 24 hours.
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Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Adam Ruzicka, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov are included in the list of players affected. The Flames were supposed to be on the road again this week but their travel plans changed and their games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and Nashville Predators will need to be changed.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman tweeted, “Flames, concerned about border issues, did not travel to Chicago. If they had, players/staff who tested positive would not have been able to come back to Canada without lengthy quarantine.” Frank Seravalli notes that this makes 123 NHL players who have entered COVID-19 protocol this season – approximately 17% of the league.
It is being reported that the salary cap issues in Calgary might have something to do with the decision to postpone games as the Flames don’t have enough space to recall enough players to ice a full roster. At the same time, the NHL does not want to get in a situation where they give short-term exceptions to teams.
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