NHL, NHLPA agree to roster exemptions for COVID-19 relief

The NHL and NHLPA formalized a number of CBA exemptions to give teams battling COVID-19 cases some roster relief.

Teams that would dress fewer than two goalies, six defensemen, or 12 forwards for a game will now be permitted to make emergency recalls as long as the cap hit of the player does not exceed $1 million.

If a team's two regular goaltenders are not available, the club will be allowed to add an additional netminder.

Teams will also have the option to use taxi squads until the All-Star break, which is slated for Feb. 5. The taxi squad can have a maximum of six players on it at once and players can only be on it for 20 days or less.

The NHL postponed three more games Sunday, temporarily calling off Tuesday's Chicago Blackhawks-Columbus Blue Jackets tilt as well as Wednesday's contests featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins against the Ottawa Senators.

The league began its holiday break early by pausing all games on Dec. 22 amid an outbreak of COVID-19 cases across the league. Games are expected to resume Tuesday.

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