NHL's COVID protocol-related absences for March 26, 2021

Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is the list for today so far:

Anaheim – Alexander Volkov
Boston – Jake DeBrusk, Sean Kuraly
Minnesota – Zach Parise
Montreal – Joel Armia, Jesperi Kotkaniemi
NY Rangers – Brett Howden (plus part of the coaching staff)
Pittsburgh – TBA
St. Louis – TBA
Vancouver – Travis Boyd

As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:

"(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol."

Players removed today: None

No changes to the list today, though a couple of reports are still to come in. Eric Staal will soon be added to the Montreal list given his travel plans. According to Eric Engels of Sportsnet, the veteran center will fly back from Boston to Buffalo then drive to Montreal and start his quarantine.

After missing the Sabres game last night, interim head coach Don Granato and assistant coach Matt Ellis have cleared the protocol and joined the team after practice. They can get behind the bench for Buffalo’s next game.

*denotes new addition