Hertl Back on Ice, Out of COVID Protocol

Tomas Hertl was taken off the NHL’s COVID Protocol list this afternoon.

This paves the way for Hertl to return on Mar. 12 at Anaheim.

Hertl was placed in COVID Protocol on Feb. 24. A week later, San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner revealed that Hertl had experienced headaches and other COVID symptoms, but was getting better.

Yesterday, Hertl underwent an NHL-mandated cardiac screening for COVID-positive players. Per the league’s COVID Protocol, “All Players must be cleared as ‘fit to play’ by a cardiologist and team physician before returning to game activity.”

Hertl is testing today, believe it's the NHL-mandated cardiac screening to evaluate whether or not he's fully fit after his bout with COVID-19. They'll know results today, if Hertl passes, he should be in the line-up shortly. Boughner says Hertl is doing well

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 8, 2021

It was a good sign when Boughner, during last night’s post-game press conference, shared that Hertl would be hitting the ice today, an off-day. This suggests that Hertl passed his cardiac screening with flying colors and the San Jose Sharks were now evaluating his readiness to re-join practice.

It’ll be all smiles if Hertl can accompany the San Jose Sharks on their upcoming road trip, along with Timo Meier, who’s missed the last two games with a lower-body injury.

“Timo’s getting closer, so hopefully in Anaheim, we’ll have something that looks like a full squad,” Boughner said.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Next step is Hertl being a full participant at practice tomorrow.

Marcus Sorensen is the lone San Jose Sharks player currently on the league’s COVID Protocol list.