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After their coaching staff was quarantined due to COVID-19, the Vegas Golden Knights have had to postpone their Thursday night game against the St. Louis Blues after the virus potentially spread to the players (namely Alex Pietrangelo). [Knights on Ice]
“Media was allowed inside City National Arena five minutes before the 10 a.m. scheduled morning skate was to take place. By 10:01, no players were on the ice and nets were not in the respective creases. At 10:15, the Golden Knights canceled morning skate and were waiting on official word from the league.
The announcement came five minutes later.”
I’m hearing Golden Knights players are being told tonight’s game against the St Louis Blues has been postponed.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) January 28, 2021
Nothing official from the league yet. #VegasBorn
The Hershey Bears also had to cancel their preseason game against the Binghamton Devils originally set for Sunday due to health and safety reasons. The AHL has had several games cancelled and postponed during their preseason.
Update from the Hershey Bears regarding this weekend's scheduled preseason games. #HBH pic.twitter.com/sN7Ml2JZFp
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) January 28, 2021
The Metropolitan Riveters of the NWHL have left the league’s “Nubble” after several positive cases of COVID-19 on the team were reported. The NWHL was playing essentially a long round robin among their six teams before the Isobel Cup playoffs all within a bubble in Lake Placid, New York. The league is also embroiled in an internal fight with Barstool sports after the website’s CEO and fans attacked several reporters and players, namely rookie phenom Saroya Tinker.
More information here on the Riveters pulling out of the NWHL tournament. https://t.co/JsoiauCg5B
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 28, 2021
In a little-known story, NHL referees are also struggling to deal with the impacts of the virus rampaging through the league. [Scouting the Refs]
“Travel has been reduced whenever possible, resulting in officials remaining in the same city to work a series of games between two teams. The North Division has an exclusive group of dedicated referees and linesmen remaining north of the border. Nonetheless, the league and officials are still working hard to cover their assignments while following COVID protocol.”
In the AHL, players are starting to speak up about the salary share they’ve been getting. This season contracts have been prorated and cut to 40% their negotiated salary, or less if the number of games decreases any more.
‘We know this deal isn’t good’: AHL players weigh new salary proposal with season on the line and have been asked to give a response by tomorrow https://t.co/4xilnENoHJ
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) January 28, 2021
The AHL Stockton Heat will be playing their season in the same building as their NHL affiliate Calgary Flames this season. The schedule for the Canadian Division has yet to be announced (or even come up with).
The AHL Heat will play at the Scotiabank Saddledome and will follow all NHL Covid protocols.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) January 28, 2021
AGM Brad Pascall: “The complications of cross border travel in the face of COVID-19 has brought us to our decision today.” #Flames
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has abruptly left the team for “personal reasons.” Rumor has it Rutherford tried to trade top defenseman Kris Letang, a deal that ownership vetoed, leading to Rutherford leaving the job. His contract was up at the end of this season. [ESPN]
“Patrik Allvin gets the first crack at picking up where Rutherford left off. A longtime member of the scouting department before becoming assistant general manager in the fall, the 46-year-old becomes the first Swedish-born NHL general manager. Not that he’s had time to let the significance sink in.”