EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (CNS) — Los Angeles Kings' leading goal scorer Adrian Kempe has entered NHL's COVID-19 protocol, the team announced Sunday.
Under NHL rules a player being placed in the protocol does not necessarily mean he has tested positive for COVID-19. It can also be the result of a high-risk close contact.
In order to leave the COVID-19 protocol, a player must produce a negative test. A player in the protocol is required to be in it for a minimum of five days.
Kempe is the second King currently in the protocol, joining right winger Carl Grundstrom, who entered the protocol Jan. 6. Right winger Martin Frk left the protocol Sunday and was reassigned to the Kings' American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Frk was placed on the non-roster/COVID-19 list last Monday.
Kempe leads the Kings with 17 goals, including scoring the first goal in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Kempe is the lone King selected for next month's NHL All-Star Game.