Health concerns prompt spate of NHL withdrawals

Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic heads the list of NHL players opting out of participating in the 24-team tournament to crown a Stanley Cup champion, because of concerns over the coronavirus.

Karl Alzner of the Montreal Canadiens, Mike Green of the Edmonton Oilers, Roman Polak of the Dallas Stars, Sven Bartschi of the Vancouver Canucks and Steve Kampfer of the Boston Bruins have also informed their teams that they won't be suiting up when the pandemic-shortened season reopens in the "bubble" cities of Edmonton (Western conference) and Toronto (Eastern conference) on Aug 1.

Florida Panthers assistant Mike Kitchen is the lone coach opting to sit out after the NHL moved to phase three of its return-to-play protocol last week, with full training camps resuming in each team's home city before clubs head to their respective "bubbles" on July 26.

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Domi, who has type-1 diabetes and is considered high-risk for COVID-19 infection, has yet to decide whether he will suit up for the tournament.

"Considering Max's health condition, both parties have agreed to take this responsible approach and to take this time to evaluate the ongoing situation, in order to make the best decision for Max's health," the Canadiens said in a statement released on Friday.

The league said it is aware of 30 players who tested positive for COVID-19 since phase two began on June 8 and another 13 in phase one.

Each of the 24 teams will play one exhibition game before starting a qualifying round and seeding play.

Two all-Canadian matchups are included on the first day of exhibition play, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers meeting the Calgary Flames on July 28. The opening exhibition game features the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Philadelphia Flyers in Toronto.

The Vancouver Canucks meet the Winnipeg Jets in Edmonton on July 29 as part of a six-game exhibition day, while three more exhibitions conclude the schedule on July 30.

The best-of-five qualifying round opens with five games on Aug 1, including Winnipeg versus Calgary, Montreal against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Eastern conference schedule kicks off in Toronto with the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Crosby mystery

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby did not practice on Sunday, a day after leaving a team scrimmage with an undisclosed health issue.

The two-time NHL MVP scored during an organized scrimmage on Saturday. Head coach Mike Sullivan declined to offer specifics, saying he was simply "not permitted to comment".

Quizzed about Crosby on Sunday, assistant coach Mark Recchi said: "You're trying the wrong guy. I think you know the league's stance right now. Sorry about that."

Awards roundup

In other NHL news, Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes, Chicago forward Dominik Kubalik and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar are the three finalists for the 2019-20 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the league's rookie of the year.

Hughes posted eight goals and 45 assists in 68 games to become the third defenseman since the NHL's "modern era" started in 1943-44 to top rookies in scoring, joining Brian Leetch (1988-89 New York) and Bobby Orr (1966-67 Boston).

Kubalik led all rookies with 30 goals in 68 games, making him the fifth rookie in Blackhawks history to reach the 30-goal milestone.

Makar led all rookies with 0.88 points per game (12 goals, 38 assists in 57 games) and finished second in assists and points.

Last week, Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon and New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin were announced as the finalists for the 2019-20 Ted Lindsay Award, presented annually to the "most outstanding" player in the NHL as voted by members of the players' association.

Draisaitl, 24, topped all scorers with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) to become the first German-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy.

MacKinnon, 24, had 93 points (35 goals, 58 assists) to rank fifth in the league. He led the league with 318 shots on goal.

Panarin, 28, led the league in even-strength points (71), tied for second in assists (63) and tied for third in points (95).