Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joel Armia added to COVID unavailable list

Montreal Canadiens forwards Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia were added to the NHL’s list of players unavailable due to COVID-19 on Monday.

The list is updated every day by the NHL.

According to the league, players can be added to the list for a number of factors, including but not limited to (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.

If they were added because of a positive test and not because of a close contact, the NHL and the Canadiens will now trace their close contacts. This could mean other players get added to the list even without a positive test.

The Canadiens have forwards Laurent Dauphin and Michael Frolik on their taxi squad. Tyler Toffoli is out with a lower body injury.

According to Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, the game may be postponed as a result.