Josh Bailey was on Wednesday’s NHL list of players unavailable to practice or play because of the league’s COVID-19 protocols. The right wing becomes the first Islander to show up on the league’s daily list.
Bailey was absent from the team’s practice earlier in the day at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
The Islanders face the Devils on Thursday night at Nassau Coliseum.
Appearing on the NHL list does not necessarily mean Bailey has tested positive. But, at the least, he is being kept away from his teammates for cautionary reasons.
NHL protocols require players to undergo daily temperature checks and all team personnel are being tested daily during the first four weeks of the season.