Five Avs players suddenly deemed “unfit”…Is Covid-19 to blame?

The big news coming out of today’s open of training camp is that five Avalanche were suddenly deemed “unfit” to participate in Day 1 of on-ice activity this morning. According to Avs head coach Jared Bednar, that list includes captain Gabe Landeskog and his new-comer linemate Brandon Saad, as well as Erik Johnson, Philipp Grubauer and Keaton Middleton.

Following yesterday’s team meetings and media day festivities, Bednar confirmed that everyone was healthy and “fit” heading into the team’s first on-ice practices on Monday, adding “everyone’s done their quarantines and are ready to hit the ice tomorrow as a team.” So this “unfit” news comes as a bit of surprise.

“I don’t know what the protocols are or when they’re going to be back there,” Bednar said after Group 2’s session on Monday. “They’re unfit to practice today.

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll get news if they’re fit or not. There are different situations and I’m not allowed to relay when exactly there.”