Detroit Red Wings fans received a massive lump of coal in their stockings the day after Christmas, as Calder Trophy contending forward Lucas Raymond has landed on the team’s COVID-19 list. Additionally, defenseman Nick Leddy joined him on the list.
The news wasn’t all bad, as forwards Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen are ready to return to action for whenever their team next hits the ice, which is scheduled as of right now for Wednesday against the New York Islanders.
The team skated today at Little Caesars Arena, albeit in shorthanded form as only 10 skaters and a single goaltender hit the ice.
“Today was used to get back on the ice,” head coach Jeff Blashill explained in a Zoom media session afterwards. “Guys haven’t skated since last Saturday, so it was really used just to start the process of getting the legs going again. It’s a step, and hopefully we’ll take another step tomorrow.”
“I would say I had symptoms of a cold-like symptoms – headache, sinus, cough – those are the main symptoms I had,” Blashill explained of his own bout with the illness.
The Islanders today announced that several of their players have been placed on the COVID-19 list.
“There will be challenges, but I know the Islanders won’t care,” Blashill said. “They’ve faced their own challenges. If the league says the right thing to do is play the game, then we’ll go and play a hockey game. I don’t let anything be an excuse.”
Of course, the thought on everyone’s mind right now is the health of Raymond, whom Blashill explained tested positive prior to Christmas Day yesterday.
Lucas Raymond tested positive before Christmas, so his timeline will be different than Nick Leddy’s.
– – Quotes via Detroit Red Wings Link – –
