Islanders D Zdeno Chara has tested positive for COVID-19, GM Lou Lamoriello announced Tuesday.
Lamoriello said practice was delayed until 1 p.m. to make sure no other player or staff member was positive, which turned out to be the case.
The Isles are currently waiting for the league's decision about whether or not they'll be playing against the Rangers at UBS Arena on Wednesday night.
Lou Lamoriello updates the Islanders' covid situation after Zdeno Chara tested positive: pic.twitter.com/PqUS6CWzd1
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"We did have a conversation yesterday," Lamoriello said. "There is no decision to my knowledge. We're preparing to play unless we hear otherwise."
On the injury front, a forward will be gone for quite some time, as Brock Nelson will be missing a few weeks.
"Brock will be lost for two-to-four weeks with a lower body injury," Lamoriello said.
Since Chara is on the Isles' first defensive line, it will likely be Robin Salo getting bumped up with Sebastian Aho behind him. It doesn't help that Adam Pelech is also injured.
At center, the Isles have more options with J.G. Pageau being someone who can bump up to the second line in Nelson's spot to work with Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom.
