The Seattle Krakens, making their NHL debut, may be without up to five players due to the COVID protocol.

After tonight’s media scrum, the NHL will debut its 32nd franchise. It’s not the best time for everyone to start the COVID protocol.

As many as five Seattle Kraken players could be ruled out for the team’s opening game due to COVID.

One defender and three forwards are on Monday’s roster, including Marcus Johansson.

At the end of the day on Monday, some of those players appeared to be on the verge of returning.

Dave Hakstol says Calle Janrkok, Marcus Johansson, Jared McCann, Jamie Oleksiak and Joonas Donskoi are all on the COVID protocol list. #SeaKraken

— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) October 11, 2021

Marisa Ingemi, the Seattle Times’ beat writer (who you should follow!) reports that the Kraken will be without injured forward Yanni Gourde. On Monday, the Kraken introduced their first captain, defender Mark Giordano, and announced their opening-night roster, which included former Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer.

Although the Pacific Northwest has a lower community spread of COVID than the Southeast, the region has seen an increase in cases similar to the rest of the country recently.

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning confirmed that 32-year-old forward Brandon Sutter is indeed a long-haul COVID case just across the border. This is what they call long-hauling, according to Benning. “He’ll be out for some time,” says the trainer. He won’t be back for a long time.”