Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations and interim general manager Jim Rutherford was asked during a Friday afternoon appearance on Real Kyper and Bourne if he has heard any news regarding if Saturday’s game between the Canucks and visiting Toronto Maple Leafs is still a go.
“As we speak, yes, but as you know this thing happens very quickly,” Rutherford said, adding as test results come in each day it seems multiple players are added to the protocol list. “Right now, we’re tracking toward having our game (Saturday).”
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It has been an abnormally chaotic week in the NHL with a rising number of COVID-19 cases impacting lineups and various venues across the league.
The NHL has announced multiple postponements heading into the upcoming Christmas break, partly due to the fast-spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant, and it’s unclear whether other games currently scheduled to take place this weekend will also be moved to a later date.
The Canucks – winners of six straight since bringing on Bruce Boudreau to replace Travis Green – placed Luke Schenn, Juho Lammikko, Brad Hunt, Tucker Poolman and assistant coach Jason King in COVID-19 protocol earlier this week. Tyler Motte joined them on Friday.
Toronto forwards John Tavares and Alex Kerfoot were added to the growing list of players and coaches in the protocol and both teams cancelled their practices on Friday.
The province of British Columbia is placing various restrictions on events and public gatherings beginning Monday, including imposing a 50 per cent capacity limit on venues that hold more than 1,000 people.
Rutherford, 72, was hired earlier this month after the dismissal of Jim Benning.
Although beginning new role under such unprecedented circumstances could be considered an extra daunting task, Rutherford gave credit to Stan Smyl, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Ryan Johnson for their assistance in the front office thus far.
The three-time Stanley Cup winning architect said earlier this week he has already compiled a list of 40 candidates to fill the permanent role of general manager.
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