Sabres coach Ralph Krueger tests positive for COVID-19

The Buffalo Sabres will be off through the middle of next week and continue to deal with concerning COVID-19 issues ahead of the upcoming weekend. 

Buffalo and the NHL confirmed on Thursday that coach Ralph Krueger has tested positive for the coronavirus and has entered the league's COVID-19 protocols. It's the latest setback for a club that first had Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum postponed and then learned that its following three contests will also be rescheduled.

Krueger turned 61 years old last August. 

Sabres forward Taylor Hall and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols on Tuesday, and forward Tobias Rieder and defenseman Brandon Montour were placed in the protocol Wednesday. 

Buffalo is scheduled to return to action on Feb. 11 versus the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center, but Thursday's development puts the status of that matchup in doubt. 

Along with Buffalo, both the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild are also on pause. The Devils don't yet know if they will be cleared to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and the Wild are next scheduled to play against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 11.