Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Tatar is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, the team announced Tuesday.

Tatar hasn't played since March 3 against the New York Islanders.

The 29-year-old has registered a career-best 61 points through 68 games. He's scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency after next season.

Tatar was traded to the Habs from the Vegas Golden Knights in September 2018 along with Nick Suzuki and a 2019 second-round pick in exchange for Max Pacioretty.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins signed college free agent Drew O'Connor to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Tuesday.

O'Connor, who has played the last two seasons at Dartmouth College, was named the NCAA Ivy-League Player of the Year this campaign. He recorded a team-leading 21 goals and 33 points in 31 games this season.

"Drew is a powerful skater with good hands, which helped him have a very good year at Dartmouth," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. "We are very happy Drew has joined the Penguins as we feel he can help our NHL club sooner rather than later."

The 21-year-old will report to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of the season.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets will continue to allow fans at games despite a recommendation from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday that events at indoor sports and entertainment facilities be conducted without spectators due to the coronavirus, the team announced in a statement.

"We have been in contact with the National Hockey League and, given the facts before us, it has been determined that our scheduled games, including this Thursday vs. Pittsburgh and Saturday vs. Nashville, will go on as scheduled and be open to ticketed fans that wish to attend."

The team recommended that guests at higher risk, such as elderly individuals and those with pre-existing health issues, should avoid large-scale public events.

There are three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio, but the virus is expected to spread, officials said, according to WLWT5.

The San Jose Sharks may play games in an empty arena after the club agreed to abide by Santa Clara County's ban of large gatherings exceeding 1,000 people. As of Monday, Santa Clara County had 43 reported cases of coronavirus and one death.

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Future Hall of Fame baseball player Larry Walker will fulfill his dream of being an NHL goaltender on Sunday.

The Colorado Avalanche will make Walker their honorary emergency goaltender on Sunday when they take on the Vegas Golden Knights, the team announced Tuesday. Walker will also be presented with a gift ahead of his upcoming Hall of Fame induction prior to the opening faceoff.

Walker, 53, grew up in the Greater Vancouver Area of British Columbia and played goaltender until the age of 16 before switching his focus to baseball, according to The Denver Post's Kyle Newman.

"Being Canadian, you're born into this world with a stick in your hand and skates on your feet," Walker said. "So that's how I was as a kid. You played hockey, and that's all that really mattered."

Walker became only the second Canadian-born player to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Fergie Jenkins, who was inducted in 1991.

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Phil Myers will miss approximately four weeks due to a fractured patella on his right knee, the team announced Tuesday.

Myers has appeared in 50 games with the Flyers this season, recording four goals and 12 assists, while averaging 17:06 of ice time.

The 23-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Flyers in 2015. He spent two campaigns playing with the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms before making his NHL debut last season, appearing in 21 contests.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Mikhail Abramov to a three-year, entry level contract, the team announced Tuesday.

Abramov was drafted by Toronto in the fourth round (115th overall) in 2019.

The 18-year-old leads the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres with 76 points (35 goals) in 63 games this season. Abramov also recorded 10 points in 10 games while representing Russia at last year's world Under-18 tournament.

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The Vancouver Canucks will have Brock Boeser back in the lineup for Tuesday's clash versus the New York Islanders, the forward confirmed.

Boeser was diagnosed with a rib cartilage fracture on Feb. 18 and was initially expected to miss eight weeks. The 23-year-old winger ultimately missed 12 games. The Canucks managed a 5-6-1 record without him while also battling through an injury to starting goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Due to their recent slide, the Canucks enter Tuesday's action one point back of a wild-card spot and three points out of third place in the Pacific Division.

Boeser posted 16 goals and 29 assists in 56 games before being sidelined.

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One day after Santa Clara County implemented a three-week ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 attendees due to coronavirus concerns, multiple San Jose Sharks players were asked about the possibility of playing their home games without a crowd.

"It would definitely be a weird feeling if that happens," forward Joe Thornton told reporters "What's going right now, it's weird for everybody. So I think we're all confused like you guys are."

"It would definitely be very strange," Evander Kane said.

The Sharks are set to embark on a three-game road trip beginning Wednesday in Chicago. They'll return home March 19 for a tilt versus the Montreal Canadiens before two more contests at SAP Center on March 21 and March 29.

San Jose could opt to play at a neutral site or postpone the games if it elects not to host in an empty rink, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

Santa Clara County reported Monday its first death due to the coronavirus, and cases in the area continue to rise.

All active major North American sports leagues (NHL, MLB, MLS, NBA) released a joint statement Monday restricting media access within locker rooms to help prevent the spreading of the virus.

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Nate Leaman will guide the American squad at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship in December, USA Hockey announced Monday.

The Providence bench boss served as an assistant coach for the United States at the tournament in 2007 and 2009. He led the Friars to a national championship in 2015, and they've earned six straight NCAA berths during his tenure.

Team USA finished sixth at the 2020 world juniors under Minnesota Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin.

The upcoming tournament begins Dec. 26 and will be co-hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

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