UPDATED: Karlsson, 6 Other Sharks Test Positive for COVID

The San Jose Sharks announced that seven players have tested positive for COVID-19. The Sharks are scheduled to play the Jets at 4:30 PM today.

John Leonard, Jaycob Megna, Nicolas Meloche, Nick Merkley, and Ryan Merkley were all recalled from the San Jose Barracuda. San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner will also miss tonight’s game.

The Sharks announced these players have been placed on COVID protocol.

F Andrew Cogliano
F Jonathan Dahlen
D Erik Karlsson
D Jake Middleton
F Matt Nieto
D Radim Simek
D Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Noah Gregor is also in protocol.

Logan Couture also won’t play, but per the Sharks, he’s under the weather and not currently in COVID protocol.

#SJSharks lines tonight — did not see Karlsson, Couture, Middleton, Dahlén, Šimek, Vlasic, Cogliano:

Meier-Hertl-Barabanov
Eklund-Pederson-Balcers
Leonard-Weatherby-Labanc
Gadjovich-Pederson-N. Merkley

Ferraro-Burns
Megna-Merkley
Hatakka-Meloche

Reimer

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 30, 2021

In Boughner’s place, assistant coach John MacLean will take his place. Assistant coach John Madden will also remain behind the San Jose Sharks bench with NHL development coach Mike Ricci joining in. Maclean also noted that Leonard, Megna, Meloche, and both Merkleys will play tonight. This will mark Ryan Merkley and Santeri Hatakka’s NHL debuts.

The Sharks get PCR tested every three days. They tested yesterday and San Jose received the results today.