It’s been a while, hockey’s still gone, but that isn’t stopping news from breaking around the sport. Here, I’ll do my best to cover news from around the hockey world. Here’s today’s Hockey Update.
Bruins Announce They’ll Compensate Workers… Kind Of
The Boston Bruins announced today that they would set up a fund to compensate their part-time workers that wouldn’t be paid amid COVID-19. Except, it isn’t exactly the greatest plan. The Bruins will only pay the workers if the games they were scheduled to work at were cancelled. The NHL hasn’t cancelled the games yet, they’re only postponed.
This is a PR DISASTER for the Bruins. These workers need this compensation NOW, during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. Just a yikes on so many levels.
Second Senators Player Has COVID-19
The Ottawa Senators announced that a second player of theirs has tested positive for COVID-19. The current belief is that they contracted it by sharing a locker room with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. They both played at the Staples Centre within a day of each other. There were reports earlier that Nikita Zaitsev was the first NHL player with COVID-19, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. If reports of a new case in Ottawa refer to this Senators case, then we know the patient is in his 30s.
I mean, if the player doesn’t want it out, the player doesn’t want it out. Not the best idea to go out and speculate about who it is.
Oilers Sign Lavoie To ELC
The Edmonton Oilers have signed their 2019 2nd round pick, Raphael Lavoie, to a three-year ELC. Lavoie was projected by many to go in the first round, so landing him was a pleasant surprise for the team. The 2020 WJC Gold Medalist is rewarded for a strong season, but he’ll likely spend the next year in the QMJHL.
Cooper Draws Interest From Other Swedish Clubs
Former Anaheim Ducks prospect Brian Cooper has reportedly drawn interest from numerous other SHL clubs. Cooper excelled in his first full season in Sweden, earning the nod as Allsvenskan (2nd tier Swedish hockey) Defenseman of the Year. He’s garnered interest from clubs like Skellefteå AIK and IK Oskarshamn. Skellefteå AIK is considered a rival of his current club, IF Björklöven. Cooper is signed on for another season, so we’ll see how this plays out.
Pospisil Stays At HC Litvinov For Two More Seasons
Former Atlanta Thrashers draftee Tomas Pospisil will stay with HC Litvinov for two more seasons. The 32-year-old joined the Czech club late last season and is considered an important piece of the squad for his clutch performances/crucial success. His 17 points in 12 games showed the club enough to extend him for another two seasons. The former Thrashers prospect had his OHL offense carry over to the ECHL, but it didn’t translate to the AHL. Since then, he’s found himself at 13 clubs in 12 seasons, in the main Czech league, the 2nd tier Czech league, top tier Slovakian league, and a stint in Belarus. However, it seems he has a more stable home now.
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