Nedeljkovic, Smith, Rowney, Blashill, Tanguay added to COVID-19 protocol; Pickard, Barber recalled

The Detroit Red Wings have added goaltender @Alex Nedeljkovic, forwards @Givani Smith and @Carter Rowney, head coach Jeff Blashill, and assistant coach Alex Tanguay to the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol, the team announced Saturday morning.

These five join fellow Red Wings @Robby Fabbri and @Michael Rasmussen on the sidelines due to COVID-19. They won’t be available for at least 10 days while in protocol.

In a corresponding move, the Red Wings recalled goaltender @Calvin Pickard and forward @Riley Barber from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Nedeljkovic, 25, has a 9–7–3 record and a .916 save percentage in 21 games with the Red Wings this season. He most recently appeared in Detroit’s game in Carolina on Dec. 16.

Smith, 23, and Rowney, 32, also played in Thursday’s game against the Hurricanes. It’s possible we could see @Kyle Criscuolo and @Taro Hirose slide in to fill their spots on the fourth line against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, assuming that game is played as scheduled.

Without Blashill and Tanguay behind the bench, Grand Rapids coaches Ben Simon and Todd Krygier will serve as assistants for Detroit this evening.