Number of Islanders on COVID protocol grows and return of taxi squad

Today was the first day that NHL teams could return to practice. Before they took the ice though, they had to all be tested. Which probably meant a name or two would be added to the few New York Islanders players already on the COVID list.

Sure enough, there were additions to the team's COVID protocol list. But it wasn't just a name or two. It was four players who were added to the list.

New York Islanders players add four names to COVID list

The four players added to the list today are Cal Clutterbuck, Oliver Wahlstrom, Anthony Beauvillier, and Zach Parise. Neither of the forwards tested positive the last time COVID ran through the team. Anthony Beauvilier was on the list the last time around, but he was a false positive and returned as soon as he tested negative.

According to GM Lou Lamoriello, the three players who were on the COVID list before today have either exited the list or will exit the list in a few days. Barzal was already activated off the list while Robin Salo and Matt Martin are expected to leave their COVID hold on Wednesday.

Coming up for the Isles are Cole Bardreau, Grant Hutton, and Simon Holmstrom. They've all been added to the team's taxi squad.

Yes. Taxi squads are back now. There is no official word from the league on what the rules are for the taxi squads this time around, but Elliotte Friedman had a good breakdown about what to expected while we wait for official word:

GM Lamoriello indicated that the team could call up more players from Bridgeport for the taxi squad (limit is 6 players), but the B-Islanders are going through their own COVID outbreak right now so he's waiting on results before bringing anyone else up.

Hutton has been on fire with Bridgeport since being sent down after his initial call up earlier in the year. Cole Bardreau has been effective as one of Bridgeport's top players this year. He's been a good fit on the fourth line before either on the wing or down the middle.

This would be Simon Holmstrom's first call up to the NHL. He hasn't been as impactful as the first two names but he's taken a good step up in his third year as a pro in North America.