Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice struggled to blow a whistle while wearing a mask. Barry Trotz couldnB次元官网网址檛 see if one of his New York Islanders players was skating toward him because his mask had helped fog up his glasses.

B次元官网网址淚t was ugly there for a while,B次元官网网址� Maurice said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 some challenges to it.B次元官网网址�

One of the new challenges for NHL coaches this season is the requirement to wear a mask behind the bench during games and on the ice for practices. Now that goaltenders wonB次元官网网址檛 be the only masked men around the rink, coaches will learn and adjust on the fly like those in other sports have had to in recent months.

B次元官网网址淛ust being around the rink all day wearing one is an adjustment, but weB次元官网网址檒l work it out,B次元官网网址� Joel Quenneville of the Florida Panthers said. B次元官网网址淪ometimes when you really want to get your point across, you might have to pull your mask down to make yourself clear. But IB次元官网网址檝e never changed lines with a face mask on.B次元官网网址�

Hockey coaches are more responsible than their counterparts in baseball, football or basketball to bark out directions in real time at a fast pace, which makes this an even steeper learning curve. Get ready for loud yelling and maybe a few more bench minor penalties for too many men on the ice.

B次元官网网址淚 used to have a big moustache, maybe that was kind of like a mask,B次元官网网址� Dave Tippett of the Edmonton Oilers said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a mumbler at the best of times. YouB次元官网网址檒l have to be really clear with whoB次元官网网址檚 going on line changes.B次元官网网址�

One thing thatB次元官网网址檚 clear is most coaches wonB次元官网网址檛 complain about the extra safety measure to prevent virus spread. Quenneville and his staff have talked about NFL coaches being fined for not wearing face coverings correctly and how theyB次元官网网址檝e adapted.

Commissioner Gary Bettman told coaches and executives that protocols B次元官网网址渁re not a suggestion or a recommendationB次元官网网址� and the NHL B次元官网网址渨ill vigorously enforce them.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to have to do my absolute best to make sure it stays on and stays right,B次元官网网址� D.J. Smith of the Ottawa Senators said. B次元官网网址淯ltimately the leagueB次元官网网址檚 doing it for a reason, and itB次元官网网址檚 the safety, and IB次元官网网址檒l abide by all the rules.B次元官网网址�

So will John Tortorella, who told the Columbus Blue Jackets on the first day of camp he doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to hear any complaining about health and safety protocols. He said wearing a mask is important and added: B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 affect me, it will not affect the other coaches.B次元官网网址�

Colleagues also see it as personal responsibility.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the right move under these circumstances,B次元官网网址� David Quinn of the New York Rangers said. B次元官网网址淚f it helps a little bit, we should all do it, so certainly our staff is embracing it. Our organizationB次元官网网址檚 embracing it and weB次元官网网址檙e just going to have to manage it.B次元官网网址�

There are some benefits. Maurice suggested keeping the television cameras off him during games because they wonB次元官网网址檛 be able to pick up anything heB次元官网网址檚 saying anyway.

Gone B次元官网网址� for now B次元官网网址� are the days of reading lips of coaches swearing at officials or each other.

B次元官网网址淧robably be good for me,B次元官网网址� Peter Laviolette of the Washington Capitals said. B次元官网网址淣obody will see whatB次元官网网址檚 coming out of my mouth. My mother will be happy.B次元官网网址�

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The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press

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