Hockey News: Team Canada forced to quarantine and Lightning confident they’ll sign Anthony Cirelli
Anthony Scultore
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Team Canada is now in quarantine due to positive COVID-19 cases impacting two players and a staff member. The shutdown of Hockey Canada’s WJC selection camp is temporary as they go through the 14-day quarantine period that is retroactive to Monday.
Team Canada forced to quarantine
“Hockey Canada has confirmed that all players, coaches and staff are considered close contacts and are therefore subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period under Alberta Health Services,” Scott Salmond explained. “As per Hockey Canada’s safety protocols, all players, coaches and staff members will go through additional testing before resuming any camp activities.”
This will pause all Team Canada’s operations until December 6th. One outstanding question for Canada’s WJC team could be answered from all of this.
A few weeks ago Tom Renney reached out to the Rangers about Alexis Lafreniere’s availability. Hockey Canada VP Scott Salmond then followed up with needing an an answer by December 6, due to the IIHF ruling all teams must be together for one week prior to entering Edmonton bubble on December 13.
Considering the spike in cases around the world and now directly impacting Team Canada, it would not surprise me if the Rangers opt to keep Alexis in New York.
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Lightning Confident they’ll sign Anthony Cirelli
Yesterday, Tampa locked up one of their two big RFA’s when they signed Mikhail Sergachev to a three year deal ($4.8M AAV). That put the Lightning over the cap with RFA Anthony Cirelli still left unsigned.
After the signing, GM Julien BriseBois said he is confident he will get it done with Cirelli. “There’s significant will on our end to make that happen,” he told The Athletic. “Not keeping them was never something we would seriously consider. I know I have to move players to make that happen, and I’m confident I’ll be able to move the players to create cap space.”
Speculation for which players is not difficult. Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn are the names we have heard for months. The Lightning have already tried pushing out the 30 year-old Johnson out the door by putting him on waivers. Currently they are working with him and his no trade clause on a move but a $5 million AAV will make it tough.
While they work to trade Johnson, they will be trying to move Killorn. The 31 year-old potted 26 goals and 49 points in 68 games last season. You would think teams would jump at that, but he also has 3 years remaining at $4.45 AAV and a modified no trade list.
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Anthony Scultore
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