The entire NHL has been hit hard by COVID-19. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been hit even harder. The question remains whether, after Christmas and the break the teams are taking, more Maple Leafs’ games will need to be postponed. Really, when Maple Leafs’ fans assess the situation, how can the league not be headed in that direction?
Related: Morgan Rielly Added to Maple Leafs Growing COVID Protocol List
More in the Maple Leafs’ Organization Being Added Every Day
Today it was announced that two more members of the Maple Leafs’ team – defenseman Morgan Rielly and goaltending coach Steve Briere – were just designated for NHL protocols. Thus far – and I say “thus far,” because who knows where it will stop? – that makes 12 members of the team including support staff who have been tested positive for the virus.
When those two men were placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols today, that moved the COVID-19 team watchlist now to 12. Given those numbers, how will the team ever be expected to put together a reasonable roster that could play NHL games?
NHL Fans Should Expect More Games to be Cancelled
Although there’s been no word from the NHL on this matter, logic suggests that the league will utilize caution. My expectation is that the Maple Leafs’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets this coming Monday will be postponed. However, that likely isn’t the end of the postponements.
NHL hockey fans shouldn’t expect other teams to fare better. That’s because, according to a report two days ago by hockey insider Frank Seravalli, more than 131 players were reported to have been placed in the active protocol. However, that’s an incredible 18 percent of all NHL rosters). The list is likely to grow.
Thus far, 50 NHL games have been postponed. That includes 45 games during the last 10 days. With the list continuing to grow, look for the NHL to consider postponing more games for its teams following the Christmas pause.
Maple Leafs’ Players and Staff Who Are on the COVID-19 Protocols
Currently, the Maple Leafs have placed Morgan Rielly, David Kampf, Ilya Mikheyev, Petr Mrazek, John Tavares, Alexander Kerfoot, Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds, T.J. Brodie, Rasmus Sandin, Travis Dermott, and Jack Campbell on the COVID-19 protocol list. That list also includes coaches Sheldon Keefe (head coach), Spencer Carbery (assistant coach), and Steve Briere (goalie coach).
Related: Maple Leafs Will Likely Be Short Key Players After NHL Pause Lifted
