Red Wings’ Filip Hronek enters NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

Fresh off a 6-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Detroit Red Wings have been dealt some unfortunate news as defenseman Filip Hronek has been placed in the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol, the club announced Thursday. With Detroit’s next game scheduled for Saturday, at home against Philadelphia this time, Hronek, 24, will be unavailable for that contest. In the meantime, the right-handed blueliner will immediately enter isolation. As per the NHL’s updated COVID-related testing policy, only individuals experiencing symptoms will be tested through the second half of the season. For Hronek, this means he’ll be sidelined for a minimum of five days before becoming eligible to return to the team. Through 46 games this season, the former second-round selection has averaged 22:24 minutes of ice-time per game, posting four goals and 24 points. In addition, he’s also registered 84 shots on goal, 52 blocks, 40 hits and nine takeaways. Hronek signed a three-year, $13.2-million contract extension last