4 Kraken players in COVID-19 protocol on eve of season opener

One day before the Seattle Kraken's first-ever NHL regular-season game, they have multiple players on the COVID-19 list.

Seattle's head coach Dave Hakstol initially said Joonas Donskoi, Marcus Johansson, Jared McCann, and Jamie Oleksiak had joined Calle Jarnkrok in COVID-19 protocol, according to the Seattle Times' Marisa Ingemi. The team later reinserted Johansson into the roster.

The Kraken put Jarnkrok in the protocol on Friday. Adding a player to the list doesn't necessarily mean he's tested positive.

Before the preseason, Seattle's general manager Ron Francis said the entire roster was fully vaccinated. Vaccinated players who test positive must get initial confirmation plus two additional tests, and they can rejoin the team if both subsequent tests come back negative.

The Kraken also have two other players dealing with injuries. Colin Blackwell is out indefinitely, and Yanni Gourde is day-to-day. The club claimed Alex Barre-Boulet off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier Monday.

Seattle will begin its inaugural NHL campaign with a five-game road trip, beginning Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kraken will host the Vancouver Canucks in their first home opener on Oct. 23.

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