Just a quick heads up to the NFL and MLB — the “bubble” system does, in fact, work.
In its weekly update on testing protocols and results, the NHL announced that there have been no positive tests for COVID-19 since Phase 4 began in Toronto and Edmonton last Sunday — another major step forward after the league announced that zero players tested positive for COVID-19 during the second week of Phase 3 practices across North America.
“The NHL completed the first week of its Phase 4 Return to Play with no positive test results for COVID-19 among the 7,013 tests administered," the statement read. "Testing was administered on a daily basis to all members of the Clubs’ 52-member traveling parties, including Players, during the period from July 27 through August 1. All 24 teams entered the secure zone in Edmonton and Toronto on July 26 for the beginning of Phase 4. The NHL will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 testing results."
A heaping portion of credit for the league's restart deservedly goes to the players, coaches, gameday staff and many others that have taken the necessary steps to avoid any major outbreaks — with only a few lapses or testing hiccups forcing the now wide-ranging "unfit to participate" designations from being utilized.
But, especially with now with games in full swing up in Toronto and Edmonton, the NHL also deserves plenty of praise when it comes to establishing a bubble environment designed to keep essential staff occupied and entertained — and most importantly, safe.
Even if the safety measures put in place might seem rather extensive — headlined by that daily testing for hundreds of individuals, including hotel and arena staff — the NHL and NBA's strict protocols have proved to be a prudent move, putting both leagues on their way towards capping off their respective seasons.
Tuukka Rask was the latest "bubble" resident to learn firsthand of the stringent rules placed upon anyone walking in and out of the NHL's pair of "Secure Zones."
Along with the daily testing requirements that all Phase 4 participants and other essential staff must adhere to, temperature readings and symptom checks are also regular tasks that individuals must comply with. All players and personnel needed to install a "Health Pass" app by CLEAR on their phone upon arriving in Toronto and Edmonton, with the mobile service storing their health information and informing them when another temperature check is required.
(Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
Bruins
Bruins Bubble Notebook: Tuukka Rask’s quarantine a reminder of strict health protocols in place up in NHL's secure zones
A look at the testing station set up in the NHL's Phase 4 Secure Zone in Edmonton. (Courtesy: NHL)
"Yeah, I had a cough, so I just clicked 'yes' on the app, and then all kinds of red lights start blinking and I was quarantined for two days," Rask said. "They wanted to do two negative tests after that. And that's it. So now I was back today. ...
I think it's just they want to be very cautious of that, if there's any symptoms. Because obviously if you happen to test positive — and meanwhile, you've already spread it around for who knows how many guys — so I'll be ready to go."
Bruce Cassidy
Other Bruins Notes:
Patrice Bergeron
"Maintenance day. That's it," Cassidy said of Boston's top-line center. "He's fine. He'll get back on the ice tomorrow."
Jack Studnicka
Trent Frederic
Brad Marchand
David Pastrnak
Marchand–Frederic/Studnicka–Pastrnak
Ritchie–Krejci–Kase/Kuhlman
Bjork–Coyle–DeBrusk/Senyshyn
Nordstrom–Kuraly/Lindholm–Wagner
Krug–Carlo
Grzelcyk–Lauzon
Moore–Clifton
Zboril–Vaakanainen
Halak
Lagace
Vladar
Ondrej Kase
Nick Ritchie
David Krejci
"With Ritchie and Kase, I don't believe Kase will be ready Wednesday," Cassidy said. "Hasn't been on the ice enough. That'd be a big ask. It's still two days away, so I won't rule him out. But I'd say he was doubtful. We're targeting Sunday for him, get more reps. We mixed him in with Krejci today. We also had Kuhly (Karson Kuhlman) on that wing. And then Ritchie, I suspect he'll be ready Wednesday.
"So he would be a guy that we're planning on being in the lineup. Tuukka was back on the ice today, felt much better. Hopefully he progresses well and get back in the net Wednesday. So that would be the two changes we're probably looking at right now, barring any sort of injury tomorrow or anything that pops up. And then we'll have to make a decision who comes out obviously up front, if Ritchie goes in."
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