It looks like we finally have an answer to why David Pastrnak recently has been held out of Boston Bruins practices.
Both Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase were deemed "unfit to participate" in practice over the last couple of days. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy clarified that their continued absences had nothing to do with either conditioning or disciplinary action.
There was some speculation about Pastrnak and/or Kase contracting the coronavirus, but Pasta's agent J.P. Barry set the record straight on that Friday. Barry told The Athletic his client tested negative for COVID-19 but is under quarantine after being in contact with an individual who tested positive.
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That explains why Pastrnak skated at Warrior Ice Arena with the team Wednesday and was held out Thursday after being expected to participate. As for when Pastrnak could return to the ice, that remains unclear. The reasoning for Kase's absence is not yet known either.
The Bruins will head to Toronto on July 26. Their first matchup of the restart will be against the Philadelphia Flyers on Aug. 2.