Over the past two weeks, the Blackhawks have endured several COVID-19 issues. In total, five players landed on the NHL’s COVID Protocol list over that span. But they’re finally getting close to returning to full strength.
Ahead of yesterday’s game in Dallas, the Hawks added defenseman Adam Boqvist to the active roster after his two-week stint in the protocol. Head coach Jeremy Colliton stated that Boqvist did contract the virus, so the young blueliner will still have to work his way back before appearing in a game.
Now another name is coming off that list: forward Lucas Wallmark.
Wallmark’s removal from the protocol comes two weeks after he entered it, just like Boqvist. While Colliton has not met with the media to provide an update since the announcement, there’s a possibility Wallmark also contracted the virus given the length of his absence.
Alex DeBrincat and Nicolas Beaudin also previously landed the NHL’s COVID Protocol List, but DeBrincat returned after a four-game absence and Beaudin missed just one game.
While Wallmark’s return further slims down the list of Hawks on the COVID list, one name still remains. Ryan Carpenter has been sidelined since January 30th, so this upcoming Saturday will mark the two-week date range that both Wallmark and Boqvist endured on the NHL’s COVID Protocol List.