Penguins place forward Jeff Carter on list for covid-19 protocols
Penguins forward Jeff Carter has been placed into the NHL’s list for covid-19 protocols. The Penguins announced his status a few minutes before they opened practice at PPG Paints Arena on Friday.
This is the second time Carter has been placed into protocols this season. He missed three games in late October after testing positive for the virus.
In 27 games this season, Carter has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists).
The Penguins have eight players in protocols for covid-19, including forwards Teddy Blueger, Kasperi Kapanen, Dominik Simon and Carter; defensemen P.O Joseph, Mike Matheson and John Marino; and goaltender Tristan Jarry.
On Wednesday, the NHL adjusted its protocols for players who test positive and shortened the time frame for isolation to five days in certain situations. Previously it was 10 days.
When asked on Friday, coach Mike Sullivan did not offer a timetable for when other players may be released from their isolation periods.
Evan Rodrigues returns
Forward Evan Rodrigues has been removed from protocols and rejoined his teammates for Friday’s practice.
Rodrigues was initially placed on the list Sunday but did not miss any games as the Penguins have had five consecutive contests postponed.
“I was testing before Christmas, during the break,” Rodrigues. “Tested positive, didn’t have any symptoms. I felt great. Worked out throughout the break. Then got back here (PPG Paints Arena). Took my two negative tests, got my results back and was happy to be back out there with the team (Friday).”
He suggested he expects to be in the lineup for Sunday’s home game against the San Jose Sharks.
“(For Friday’s practice), going back out there, I thought I was going to be a little sluggish and a little rusty,” Rodrigues said. “But I actually felt great. Looking forward to Sunday. I’m glad I didn’t have to miss any games for covid.”
In 30 games this season, Rodrigues is the team’s second-leading scorer with 30 points (10 goals, 13 assists).
Anthony Angello, Radim Zohorna recalled
Additionally, forwards Anthony Angello and Radim Zohorna were recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) and placed on the team’s taxi squad.
Various maladies have limited Angello to four AHL games and one goal this season.
Zohorna has played in 21 games this season and scored nine points (four goals, five assists).
The Penguins currently have a maximum of six players assigned to their taxi squad. That group includes forwards Kasper Bjorkqvist, Angello, Zohorna, defensemen Juuso Riikola, Joseph and goaltender Louis Domingue.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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