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# Saturday FTB: Two NHL teams already face COVID breakouts
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-powerplay-lines-alex-kerfoot-injury-update-covid-breakouts-two-nhl-teams/
- Published: 2021-01-09T11:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2021-01-09T11:00:00.000Z
- Description: The Dallas Stars’ season will be pushed back, while Columbus has players missing from camp.
- Author: Brian Stewart
- Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 10:50

Every time any of the professional leagues in North America try to come together for the start of a season, there’s some starting pains — just ask the German and Swedish teams at the recently completed World Juniors. Players travelling from all over into singular locations have led to multiple breakouts

Well, with NHL training camps under way for a few days we saw two teams get hit with outbreaks. The most serious was the Dallas Stars, with six players and two staff testing positive.

> NHL statement on the Dallas Stars. [https://t.co/AsYqpL4XK3](https://t.co/AsYqpL4XK3?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/r2iT8vYWH0](https://t.co/r2iT8vYWH0?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — NHL Public Relations (@PR\_NHL) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL/status/1347601895624495104?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

As a result, their camp and facilities are shut down, and all their games are being pushed back until at least January 19th, maybe later. This means they will start the season almost a week later than everyone else, and [will have to find a way to make up their games](https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1347603966578851841?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com).

Columbus, meanwhile, seem to have had an outbreak as well....

> [#CBJ](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) missing from skate today:  
>  
> F Emil Bemstrom, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Max Domi, Nick Foligno, Nathan Gerbe, Liam Foudy, Mikhail Grigorenko, Boone Jenner, Mikko Koivu, Eric Robinson, Alexandre Texier.  
>  
> D Vladislav Gavrikov, Seth Jones, David Savard, Andrew Peeke, Michael Del Zotto.
> 
> — Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/Aportzline/status/1347578161949794304?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Now I count a lot more than six players that the Stars said tested positive. But there may be other issues — visa problems (see: Kapanen), injuries, personal issues, or being isolated because they may have been in contact with players who tested positive.

So far, those seem to be the only two teams with significant issues. I can promise it won’t be the last before the season starts, and there will likely be more outbreaks through the season.

## ONTO THE LINKS

A reminder that [tonight’s White vs Blue scrimmage will be televised](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-blue-vs-white-scrimmage-game-to-be-televised-saturday-tsn-sportsnet/).

[Nic Petan on waivers today](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/nic-petan-on-waivers-today-maple-leafs-roster-news/) | by Katya

[Why I Hate the Ottawa Senators](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/why-i-hate-the-ottawa-senators-maple-leafs-north-canadian-division-preview/) | by Katya

[Know your Enemy: The Ottawa Senators](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/know-your-enemy-the-ottawa-senators-maple-leafs-north-division-2021-season/) | by Katya

[Leafs Prospect Roundup: Analyzing Leafs’ WJC performances](https://theleafsnation.com/2021/01/08/leafs-prospect-roundup-analyzing-leafs-wjc-performances/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by Katya at TLN

[Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Musings: Starting lines, Defensive Depth, and Special Teams](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/08/toronto-maple-leafs-training-camp-musings/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by Katya at MLHS

[Meet the Leafs’ Mikko Lehtonen: ‘The way he plays the game there’s no faking it’](https://theathletic.com/2308522/2021/01/08/mikko-lehtonen-leafs-defenceman/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by Katya at The Athletic

[Sportsnet announces 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs broadcast schedule](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sportsnet-announces-2020-21-toronto-maple-leafs-broadcast-schedule/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by Katya at Sportsnet

[Andersen blocks out contract noise, focuses on upcoming season](https://www.tsn.ca/talent/frederik-andersen-blocks-out-contract-noise-focuses-on-upcoming-season-1.1574703?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by Katya at TSN

A lovely story of a recent hiring by MLSE for their new Marlies equipment manager.

> Steph’s [#hockey](https://twitter.com/hashtag/hockey?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) dreams began in Toronto. What an amazing full circle moment. 🥺[https://t.co/kfPdO1M1S3](https://t.co/kfPdO1M1S3?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [https://t.co/y0RdlPcQPB](https://t.co/y0RdlPcQPB?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/iZ64D44HR6](https://t.co/iZ64D44HR6?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Gillian Kemmerer (@gilliankemmerer) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/gilliankemmerer/status/1347597023827132417?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

If you missed it, the Leafs are apparently playing around with new powerplay units:

> [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) power play units:  
>  
> Tavares-Nylander-Hyman-Spezza, Lehtonen  
>  
> Matthews-Marner-Thornton-Simmonds, Rielly
> 
> — Kristen Shilton (@kristen\_shilton) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/kristen%5Fshilton/status/1347615943615258629?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

An update on Alex Kerfoot, who was injured earlier in training camp after crashing into the boards:

> Sheldon Keefe can't say yet whether Alex Kerfoot will be available for [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) in Wednesday's opener [https://t.co/nDmb5WKXAf](https://t.co/nDmb5WKXAf?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Kristen Shilton (@kristen\_shilton) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/kristen%5Fshilton/status/1347617053998526464?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

A great shift by Leafs prospect Lil Caesar (because Veni Veeti Vici) lead to an assist:

> Veeti Miettinen (#29) legitimately looks better every game. Completely takes this shift over before getting an assist.   
>  
> He's at 14 points (and counting) in 12games. [pic.twitter.com/Ni6UrltkY6](https://t.co/Ni6UrltkY6?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — Nick DeSouza (@NickDeSouza\_) [January 9, 2021](https://twitter.com/NickDeSouza%5F/status/1347721923829051396?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Another European prospect of the Leafs showing off his pipes.

> Joe Thornton singing Britney Spears on Swiss TV might be the best thing I’ve discovered on the Internet. [#SJSharks](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SJSharks?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [#LeafsForever](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/9mkFdRFZch](https://t.co/9mkFdRFZch?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)
> 
> — SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) [January 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/SnipeCity420/status/1347371001403772928?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

I’ll end this FTB with a random highlight from the last NHL season that was in my mind for no particular reason...