For days and weeks, issues have been heading within the path of NHL participant Olympic participation getting axed.
On Tuesday, it was reported that there was an settlement between the NHL and NHLPA to not ship gamers to the Olympics, and that was confirmed Wednesday morning.
Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement.
“The Nationwide Hockey League respects and admires the need of NHL Gamers to signify their nations and take part in a ‘greatest on greatest’ event. Accordingly, we have now waited so long as attainable to make this resolution whereas exploring each out there choice to allow our Gamers to take part within the 2022 Winter Olympic Video games,” Bettman mentioned in an announcement. “Sadly, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule brought on by latest COVID-related occasions — 50 video games have already got been postponed via Dec. 23 — Olympic participation is now not possible. We actually acknowledge and respect the efforts made by the Worldwide Olympic Committee, the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation and the Beijing Organizing Committee to host NHL Gamers however present circumstances have made it unimaginable for us to proceed regardless of everybody’s greatest efforts. We stay up for Olympic participation in 2026.
“Our focus and objective have been and should stay to responsibly and safely full everything of the NHL common season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a well timed method. Due to this fact, with stringent well being protocols as soon as once more in place, we’ll start using out there dates in the course of the Feb. 6-22 window (initially contemplated to accommodate Olympic participation) to reschedule video games which were, or could but be, postponed.”
NHLPA government director Don Fehr launched an announcement, which furthers the notion that the NHL and NHLPA agreed that this was the fitting name.
“Because the CBA extension was reached 17 months in the past, NHL gamers have regarded ahead with nice anticipation to as soon as once more collaborating within the Winter Olympics,” Fehr mentioned. “Till very not too long ago, we appeared to be on a transparent path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has sadly intervened, forcing dozens of video games to be postponed this month alone. Regardless of how a lot we want it weren’t the case, we have to make the most of the Olympic interval to reschedule these video games.
“Definitely, the gamers and hockey followers are fairly upset. However taking part in a full 82-game season this yr, one thing the pandemic has prevented us from doing for the reason that 2018-19 season, is essential. We anticipate that NHL gamers will return to the Olympics in 2026.”
The sharp rise in COVID-19 circumstances, forcing the short-term pause of the NHL season, solid doubt on the chance of NHL gamers collaborating within the Olympics for the primary time since 2014. Additional, gamers have been already getting involved after it was revealed {that a} 3-to-5-week quarantine in China can be required if a participant examined optimistic for the virus abroad.
As Bettman indicated, there can be makes an attempt to reschedule a number of the postponed video games for that time-frame, however arenas could be booked, to a level, with NBA video games and different occasions.
Issues will proceed to be moved quickly, however at this level one factor is for sure: NHL gamers will not head to Beijing.
