The NHL suspended the league game for the Christmas break earlier than planned and also chose to extend the holiday by another day.
It is now clear that the league, in agreement with the NHLPA, the National Hockey League Players Association, is reintroducing reserve troops, so-called taxi squads.
The reserve squads can consist of up to six players who travel and train with each team to replace regular players if necessary.
The purpose is to replace the players who are not allowed to play due to covid infection - a solution to avoid further postponed matches.
The solution is valid until February 4, when the league pauses for the annual All Star weekend when the league's best players settle in a friendly match with the best players.
New postponed matches
The pandemic continues to disrupt the game even after the Christmas break.
The league has had to cancel three new matches, which currently means that a total of 67 matches will be played at a later time.
- The league and the players 'union will continue to check test results and the teams' readiness for games in the following days and weeks, the parties say in a joint statement.
The Dallas Stars, who are battling for 19th place in the league, are one of the teams hardest hit.
On Sunday, it became clear that as many as five of the team's players are covid infected and are not allowed to play.
The NHL has done everything in its power to avoid postponed games.
Last week it also became official that the league will not release players for the Olympic tournament.