Report: NHL players will not be attending 2022 Olympics
All signs are pointing towards the NHL not sending players to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the league won’t be sending players to the Olympic games.
Link of NHL/NHLPA joint statements. Unfortunately, Olympics without NHL players appears to be reality, although formal announcement not for a few days https://t.co/WnIzedTtzN
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 19, 2021
The NHL said this in a statement Sunday afternoon: “The NHL and NHLPA are actively discussing the matter of NHL Player participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, and expect to be in a position to announce a final determination in the coming days.”
Friedman’s report was echoed by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
The move to not send players to the Olympics is likely the right, albeit tough, choice. Players who may test positive overseas could be forced into a four-week quarantine period meaning they would likely lose NHL games.
On top of that, the NHL is currently being crippled by COVID-19 outbreaks that have shut down a number of teams, the Detroit Red Wings being the latest.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.