from Frank Seravalli of TSN,

...one of the oddities of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols is that team owners are barred from physically spending time around their players and hockey staff this season. They are permitted to attend and watch games from a suite within arenas, but there are no locker room visits or stops at training camps or practices.

Owners and team governors are classified as “Group 3” personnel according to the NHL’s protocol, therefore “individuals who must avoid contact with Group 1 (players/coaches) and Group 2 (GMs and hockey personnel) individuals at all times.”

Even GMs and hockey operations personnel are asked to limit close contacts with Group 1 individuals to “essential interactions only.” The groups are sequestered for everyone’s health and safety, to limit contact from outside people as much as possible.

Proper perspective is key, according to Vinik.

“It’s very different not being at games, but for good reason around the league,” Vinik said. “If we call that a challenge, or hardship, that pales in comparison to what a lot of people in the world are going through right now. It is what it is. On the flip side, I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time together with my family.”

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