By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
Bruins winger Karson Kuhlman is one of 22 players currently unavailable to practice or play with his team, as confirmed by the first COVID protocol list of the 2021 season released Wednesday.
As has been the case with most COVID-related lists and movement throughout all the sports leagues playing through the ongoing pandemic, Kuhlman’s inclusion on this list doesn’t necessarily mean that he has contracted the coronavirus.
From the NHL:
Such “COVID Protocol Related Absences” can be the result of a number of factors including, among others: (1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol.
It’s obviously worth noting that the 25-year-old Kuhlman has missed almost all of training camp before he skated in Tuesday’s optional skate at Warrior Ice Arena. And speaking with reporters last week, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy did note that Kuhlman had a testing issue.
The 5-foot-11 Kuhlman totaled one goal and six points in 25 games with the Bruins last year, and appeared in five postseason tilts inside the Toronto bubble. Overall, the Minnesota-born wing has tallied four goals and 11 points in 36 games over two seasons.
With Kuhlman unavailable, and with Par Lindholm waived, it looks like the Bruins will begin the 2021 season with Trent Frederic as the team’s healthy scratch up front in ahead of Boston’s taxi squad options.
The New Jersey Devils, the Bruins’ opponent for Thursday’s Opening Night at the Prudential Center, did not have a player listed on Wednesday’s report.
Listen to Ty Anderson and Matt Dolloff preview the 2020-21 Bruins season on the SideLines podcast: