Marcus Foligno placed in COVID protocol, out vs. Avs

Wild left wing Marcus Foligno has been placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Wild's Marcus Foligno placed in COVID-19 protocol, ruled out vs. Avalanche

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/31/21

The Minnesota Wild have placed forward Marcus Foligno in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Foligno is the first Wild player to be added to the COVID-19 list this season. He will miss Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

#mnwild veteran Marcus Foligno is on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. First Wild player to be added in-season.

He’ll miss tonight’s game vs. #avs, meaning depleted Wild without Fiala, Dumba, Foligno and Johansson; I believe Mayhew, Rau, Johnson, Hunt all playing tonight
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 31, 2021

This doesn't necessarily mean Foligno has tested positive for the coronavirus. As noted by the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Dane Mizutani, a team can add a player when:

An initial positive test that remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol.
Mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol.
Required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol.
Isolation based on a confirmed positive test result.
Quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol.

Foligno could also miss Minnesota's upcoming road trip to Colorado.

In nine games this season, the 29-year-old has three points (one goal, two assists). He is in his fourth season with the franchise after spending the first six years of his career with the Buffalo Sabres.

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