Blues' Brandon Saad out vs. Kings due to COVID-19

Another COVID protocol case has popped up in the NHL, this time in St. Louis. The Blues have announced that forward Brandon Saad will be unavailable on Saturday due to COVID protocol. Saad, as well as the entire Blues roster, is vaccinated. With Saad sidelined and Pavel Buchnevich suspended, the Blues will be without their two major offseason additions for their home opener against the L.A. Kings.

The Blues have not revealed the cause of Saad’s entry into the COVID protocol. However, the fact that he has already been ruled out of a game that is 48 hours away would imply that he has tested positive.  This is the third positive test among a prominent player Thursday alone, as Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele and Pittsburgh’s Jeff Carter have also been sidelined by COVID. It’s a sobering reminder that the pandemic is still a factor in the NHL this season.

As for Saad, the Blues' newest addition is off to a hot start with a goal and an assist in his first three games. The talented forward has averaged 24 goals per 82 games over his career and was expected to help make up for the loss of Jaden Schwartz this summer. For the time being, St. Louis will have to make do without him.