Several members of the Detroit Red Wings have been placed on the COVID-19 protocol list, including head coach Jeff Blashill and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.
In their stead, the team had announced that G Calvin Pickard and Riley Barber have been called up from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins:
UPDATE: The #RedWings have placed Givani Smith, Carter Rowney, Alex Nedeljkovic, head coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Alex Tanguay in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021
Additionally, Griffins assistants Ben Simon and Todd Krygier will be behind the Detroit bench in Blashill’s absence:
#RedWings assistant coach Doug Houda will be joined behind the bench tonight by Griffins head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Todd Krygier.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021
The Red Wings are scheduled to play the New Jersey Devils tonight at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00 PM.