Sharks & NHL News & Notes (2/4/21)

 Although it has been several days since the Sharks last played a game, there have been a few noteworthy headlines from yesterday that are worth discussing. Let's get into them:

• At least a handful of teams have had to postpone their games as many of their players and coaches have been subject to the NHL's COVID protocols. These teams include the Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and the latest team being the Colorado Avalanche. As a result of multiple postponements thus far, which aren't much of a surprise, the NHL has introduced additional rules and restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. These new protocols include players, coaches, and team personnel required to be at the arena no earlier than an hour and 45 minutes before puck drop on game days, and the glass behind the players and coaching staff on the bench being removed to allow for greater air circulation in the arena. These new rules may disrupt the players' normal pregame routines, but NHL teams' health and safety come first. 

          Multiple game postponements are expected when a season is being played in the middle of                     pandemic. What I really hope doesn't happen is that the COVID situation in the NHL gets so                 bad that the league is forced to suspend the entire season like they did last year, which it can't                 afford to do. Luckily, the worst case scenario can be avoided if the teams, players, and personnel             can hold themselves accountable and follow the league's COVID protocols as they are supposed             to. I understand that another solution to this would be to have all the players, coaches, and team             personnel jump the line for the COVID vaccines, but that would be unfair to those who need the             vaccines the most, such as the elderly, those with underlying conditions, and frontline and                     essential workers. We'll have to wait and see how the rest of this season and the pandemic unfold          in the coming months. 

• The Sharks have recalled forwards Rudolfs Balcers (who was on a conditioning assignment) and Maxim Letunov, along with defenseman Fredrik Claesson from the AHL Barracuda. 

Stay tuned to CPF Hockey for all your San Jose Sharks news and updates. 

Sources: NHL.com, San Jose Mercury News