FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba passes the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings in Los Angeles. Bonding between veterans and youngsters has been a time-honored tradition in hockey. But in yet another setback related to the relentless COVID-19, NHL protocols aiming to curb the virus spread and keep the schedule on track could make that vital off-ice development of camaraderie more difficult. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - Russian athlete Kirill Kaprizov (77) celebrates after the semifinal round of the men's hockey game against the Czech Republic at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, in this Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, file photo. Olympic Athletes from Russia won 3-0. The Minnesota Wild, who have not won a playoff series in six years, seek to capitalize on the spark created by Russian rookie Kirill Kaprizov and lean on stalwarts like Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon to make strides in this abbreviated season. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Dallas Stars' Corey Perry (10) and Colorado Avalanche's Ian Cole (28) look for the loose puck during the third period of an NHL Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff game, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Russia's Kirill Kaprizov (77) battles Finland's Jani Hakanpaa (58) during the Channel One Cup ice hockey match in St. Petersburg, Russia. Bonding between veterans and youngsters has been a time-honored tradition in hockey. Older players routinely invite rookies to live with them during their first year. This season, NHL protocols aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 could make team-building more difficult. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, file photo Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar skates against the St. Louis Blues during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Denver. Bonding between veterans and youngsters has been a time-honored tradition in hockey, with older players routinely inviting rookies to live with them during their first season. That’s the way it was for Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who bunked with the family of teammate Matt Calvert when he first arrived before last season. This season, though, is just different. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, file photo, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole (28) is shown during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver. Bonding between veterans and youngsters has been a time-honored tradition in hockey, with older players routinely inviting rookies to live with them during their first season. That was the case for Cole, who was guided by Barret Jackman while both were in St. Louis. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)