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COVID forces Golden Knights coaches to quarantine; GM on bench vs. Blues

Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 26: (L-R) Head coach Manny Viveiros of the Henderson Silver Knights, general manager Kelly McCrimmon of the Vegas Golden Knights and assistant coach Joel Ward of the Silver Knights handle bench duties in the first period of the Golden Knights’ game against the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena on January 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McCrimmon was tapped to serve as head coach with help from the Silver Knights coaches after the entire Golden Knights’ coaching staff had to self-isolate for the game out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19 protocols. The Henderson Silver Knights is the AHL affiliate of the Golden Knights. The Blues defeated the Golden Knights 5-4 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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The Vegas Golden Knights announced that their coach staff -- Peter DeBoer included -- are in self-quarantine due to COVID protocols, and won’t be on the bench for Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. Instead, GM Kelly McCrimmon will coach the Golden Knights for at least the Blues game as the franchise practices (you might have guessed it) an “abundance of caution” regarding COVID-19.

Coaching staff members of the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights will join McCrimmon on the bench.

More on Golden Knights coaches missing at least one game due to COVID protocol

It’s unclear if the Golden Knights’ coaches will continue to quarantine after this game. The Golden Knights’ next game also takes place against the Blues on Thursday.

From a safety standpoint, there might be some logic to waiting at least two games. After Thursday’s game against the Blues, the Golden Knights don’t play again until Monday, Feb. 1 vs. the Sharks.

(You know, if the caution is in abundance, rather than [just throwing it out there] at the exact minimum level.)

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that it’s possible that some, if not all, of the Golden Knights’ coaching staff may return by Thursday. Ultimately, we’ll see.

It also remains to be seen if this COVID quarantine extends beyond Golden Knights coaches to players. The Athletic’s Jesse Granger notes that DeBoer had been around Golden Knights players as recently as Tuesday.

Should NHL keep a closer eye on coaches?

If you’re like me, you’re rankled whenever you see a coach lower their mask to yell at players, complain about officiating, or call for line changes. (You know, coaching stuff.)

On one hand, yes, it’s understandable that coaches want to get their points across. Players who turned the puck over might not cower as much from a muffled scream.

Still, what’s the situation where your saliva flies the most? When you’re yelling, right? (OK, maybe not as much as when you’re coughing but ...)

In iso cams alone, we’ve seen coaches who wore their masks in very ... cavalier ways. DeBoer himself chafed a bit at wearing a mask, at least early on:

It’s good PR speak to claim that NHL teams are approaching all of this with an “abundance of caution.” Actions speak louder than words, though, and there are areas where it’s fair to wonder if there’s been an absence of caution.

(Was there even much of a discussion about modified helmets for greater coverage, whether that would come down to some form of face-shields or not?)

Here’s hoping every that the Golden Knights’ coaches avoid major complications related to COVID. With NHL coaches, it’s especially scary, considering how many are in at-risk age groups. DeBoer’s 52, so he’s not among those facing the biggest risks. (McCrimmon is 60.)

Of course, COVID doesn’t just affect one age group, and professional athletes face risks too.

Hopefully Golden Knights coaches enjoy an abundance of good fortune to go with all of that caution.

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.