Coach Sullivan Discusses COVID-19 Protocols
"I know that phrase has been heard a lot these days, and it doesn't necessarily answer your questions, but it's just simply the best way to explain it," Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said.
Coach Sullivan speaks to media before scrimmage
Per NHL protocols, teams are not supposed to disclose information relating to a player's positive test result or COVID-19 symptoms during training camp.
At the conclusion of training camp, the league can make one announcement stating the total number of players (without personal or club identity) who tested positive.
During the regular season, the league will announce the names of players who have tested positive for COVID-19.
"That will be the responsibility of the NHL and not us," Sullivan said.
So, for at least the remainder of training camp, Sullivan said that the Penguins will not be disclosing injuries or announcing any COVID-related information. He asked the media to refrain from assuming that if a player is not on the ice, that they have tested positive for COVID-19.
"Because that may not be the case," Sullivan said.
With the players not at PPG Paints Arena yesterday, Sullivan said the coaching staff utilized an app that is a virtual component of the learning process with respect to their team concept. They can push out information and video to their players, who can also review in-person meetings through the app.
That's part of the contingency plan they already had in place for when a situation like Saturday occurs.
"This is just something that I think coaching staffs are going to have to be prepared to adapt and adjust to," Sullivan said. "We've thought through this process extensively."
Sullivan praised the protocols the NHL has put in place that allowed them to get back to work so quickly after the disruption.
"I think the league has done a terrific job of trying to navigate through this pandemic," Sullivan said. "And I have a lot of confidence that they'll continue to try to implement protocols that that keep everyone as safe as they possibly can, understanding that we're all going to assume some risk. I just think that's the world that we live in. As a coaching staff, we're really going to focus on our team and the process of trying to improve and get better and be competitive. And if the protocols get in the way or force us to have to make decisions, then we will make those decisions accordingly."
Tonight the Penguins are holding a Team Black vs. Team Gold scrimmage, which will be the first real game simulation of training camp. There will be three 18-minute periods with 15-minute intermissions. They will incorporate some 3-on-3 play as well.
"All of these things are things that I think we're trying to re-acclimate our players with, and that's one of the reasons why we've designed the format the way we have," he said.
A couple of other updates from Sullivan…
* He said the Penguins have not made final decisions in regards to who will be on the taxi squad and who will be sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
He did say that when it comes to the younger players, forward Drew O'Connor and defenseman P.O Joseph have stood out. Sullivan also likes how new additons Colton Sceviour, Cody Ceci and Mike Matheson have been adjusting.
* Sullivan confirmed that Kasperi Kapanen arrived in Pittsburgh on Saturday and received his first COVID-19 test today. Per NHL's COVID-19 protocols, Kapanen has undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine process with testing on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 before he can be cleared to join the team.
* I loved this quote Sullivan gave when asked about everything happening in the outside world:
"We have had discussions about the pandemic. It's very real. We're all trying to deal with it just like the rest of the world. We're all human beings. And so I think one of the one of the messages that we've tried to send to our players is that we have a great opportunity to get back to doing something that we love, and I think we should try to immerse ourselves in in this common goal to win the Stanley Cup. And so we're going to control what we can and do our very best to keep everybody safe. We're going to entrust that the league and the people that are giving us the direction are doing everything within their power to keep us as safe as possible. We have a great privilege of playing the game that we love to play. And my hope is that in some ways, this should offer all of us a healthy escape from some of the challenges the world is presented with right now."
