Why Buffalo is frustrated
John Vogl, Sabers beat writer: When NHL players agreed to a season, they knew there would be risks. The Sabers believe they were forced to take unnecessary risks. Their radar went up when Zajac was added to the protocol list on Friday. When Palmieri played Saturday and was on the roster on Sunday, the Sabers wanted answers from the league and the Devils. They did not get and had to play. It turns out they played against ten devils who are now sitting.
Buffalo feel he has taken adequate precautions this season, but was forced into a dangerous situation by playing Sunday. Hall, Ristolainen and everyone who is in contact with them should now be concerned about their health. As the situation of the Devils has shown, more Sabers may end up on the list in the coming days. Buffalo will be closed until at least next Tuesday, so there will be a lot of uncertainty. One thing the organization is sure of is that this situation could have been avoidable.
How it affects the demons
Corey Masisak, Devils beat writer: The Devils’ new names on the COVID-19 protocol list are important, including franchise center Hughes, linebacker Bratt and key defenders Severson and Smith. There was some good news for New Jersey with the name Blackwood off the list, but there are now ten players who played Saturday and nine who played Sunday in the COVID-19 protocol.
It should be considered a full-fledged breakthrough, and everyone in the team’s travel company to Buffalo and Pittsburgh will have to keep a close eye on it in the coming days.
What’s next for the devils?
Masisak: The team was still in Pittsburgh from Tuesday afternoon and the club’s facility will be closed to everyone on the active roster until at least Saturday. A spokesman for the team said Binghamton, the AHL subsidiary, shares the facility and may continue to practice before its season opening Friday in Newark. The Devils do have three players, including star center Nico Hischier, who are injured or in quarantine and are waiting to join the team. This will mean they miss fewer games.
The biggest concern for the team in the immediate future is to isolate everyone who is positive and try to ensure that more players and members of the team’s travel party are not exposed.
Is this a scenario the league has planned for?
Scott Burnside, senior writer of the NHL: It’s hard to imagine the NHL expecting this big chaos early in the season. Less than three weeks into the season, there is a big difference in the number of games played due to COVID-19 outbreaks. 11 of the 31 teams had at least one player on the league’s protocol list on Monday, meaning they could not play. But the NHL built more than a week at the end of the season to accommodate such situations.
The crucial question is whether it is the pinnacle with vaccinations approaching more and more available and warmer weather, or is it going to plague the NHL until they have to reconsider the whole schedule?
(Photo: Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today)