Kraken defenseman Jeremy Lauzon placed in COVID protocol

The Seattle Kraken have Vince Dunn and Ryan Donato back from the COVID protocol on Saturday as they took morning skate, but they are not back to full strength just yet. The team still has Mason Appleton unavailable, and he’ll now be joined on the sidelines by Jeremy Lauzon, who entered the protocol Saturday.

Lauzon, 24, was the Kraken's pick from Boston in the expansion draft, and he has played 27 games for the team this season. A second-round selection from 2015, the young defenseman still hasn’t quite come into his own at the NHL level. He does provide a level of physical play that the Kraken defense has become known for, ranking third on the team in hits and first in penalty minutes, but Lauzon has just five points so far on the year.

Notably, Lauzon has avoided Group VI unrestricted free agency by landing a regular gig with the Kraken to start the year. He had just 76 matches to his name before this season, with 80 being the threshold to avoid UFA status. Instead, he’ll be a restricted free agent this summer coming off his two-year deal from 2020. Arbitration-eligible, a good showing this season could result in a healthy raise should the Kraken decide he’s worthy of a qualifying offer.