NHL's COVID protocol-related absences for March 17, 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 so far:

Calgary – TBA
Columbus – Alexandre Texier*
Montreal – TBA
NY Islanders – Noah Dobson
NY Rangers – Phil Di Giuseppe (plus the coaching staff)

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: Pavel Buchnevich, New York Rangers; Adam Fox, New York Rangers

It’s huge news that the Rangers will get Buchnevich and Fox back, two of the team’s most important players. It isn’t all good news though as the entire coaching staff—David Quinn, Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown—have all been ruled out due to the COVID protocols. The Hartford Wolf Pack’s coaching staff, plus associate general manager Chris Drury will be behind the bench for tonight’s game.

Texier’s absence was already reported this morning and he is expected to miss at least the next two games thanks to the protocol, according to the team. The young forward was missing because of a different illness, but won’t be able to join the team on the road trip.

*denotes new addition