Kucherov clears COVID-19 protocol
Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita
Kucherov has exited the NHL'S COVID-19 protocol after missing two games.
The 28-year-old forward participated in Tuesday's optional morning skate, however multiple reports said he would not be available for the game against the visiting San Jose Sharks. He is expected to sit out until after the Allstar break and return for the Bolts' Feb. 10 game at Colorado.
Kucherov has 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in just 11 games this season.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner and former Hart Trophy recipient has 564 points (226 goals, 338 assists) in 526 games since the Lightning drafted him in the second round in 2011.
Players in the Women's Super
League and second-tier Championship will receive maternity and injury cover as part of a landmark agreement between the Football Association and Professional Footballers Association announced on Tuesday.
The agreement will come into effect from the 2022-23 season, a statement said.
Under the new policy, a player going on maternity leave will be paid 100 per cent of her weekly wage along with other remuneration and benefits for the first 14 weeks, before reverting to the applicable statutory rate.
“This is a considerable uplift on the current minimum of statutory, and would previously have only applied to players who had been employed by their club from a minimum of 26 weeks. The new policy will have no qualifying period,” the statement added.
As part of the long-term sickness pay, players will now receive their basic wage for the first 18 months if an injury occurs, then one half of their wage for the length of the injury thereafter.
Previously, players received six months' pay.
If a player has been incapacitated for injury or illness for a period of 18 months in a consecutive period of 20 months, a club can be entitled to serve notice, with the length of any notice being 12 months.
Previously, the notice period was three months.