With the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics just around the corner, uncertainty still surrounds the NHL’s participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun provided some additional insight on the matter today, noting that a resolution between all parties involved will have to be done by July 23rd, the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. If not, it’s a foregone conclusion that the NHL won’t allow its players to participate in the Olympics for the second straight occurrence.
There are many conflicting factors that will determine if a resolution can be achieved. What’s paramount is that the NHL’s 32 teams will likely have to go without players selected to their Olympic teams while they’re at the tournament. In the past, the league had substituted the All-Star Weekend for an Olympic break. That isn’t a real possibility now. The 2021-22 season is starting a tad late as it is (October 12th), and the All-Star Weekend will be a big revenue draw for the league as it begins to emerge out of the COVID era. For that reason, one would assume that the league would learn towards retaining its talent and keeping everybody home.
But the fact can’t be lost that the NHL has spent a significant amount of money, effort, and time marketing the game in China over the past few seasons. With multiple pre-season exhibition games being held in the country, the league was clearly attempting to grow the sport in the country ahead of the 2022 Olympics. It’s not a very appealing prospect for the league to have it all be for not.
The other important factor will be the voice of the players. Aging stars like Zdeno Chara, Alex Ovechkin, or even players like Carey Price may not have another chance to represent their country on the Olympic stage if they’re not permitted to attend again until 2026. The NHL will surely face increased resistance from the NHLPA this time around if they attempt to bar players from the 2022 Olympics.
Regardless, there will be a decision within the next two weeks.
As a fan I want to see the nhl play but I can totally see for the well-being of the league after two covid-shortened seasons why they wouldn’t. Tough call.
Yeah, who cares if China arrests journalists in Hong Kong or has a million people in concentration camps, let’s sell a few more Sharks jerseys in Shanghei.
Under no circumstances should the NHL join in with the IOC’s amoral money grab and confer any legitimacy to that nation.
Keep the real hockey, NHL hockey, going without interruption.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – Agreed. Time to take a hard stance against a country responsible for COVID, numerous human-rights crimes and for having a major hand in virtually crippling the global economy. Put their balls in a vice!
Agreed as well.
I’ve always thought-you want NHL players? You will make more money on the TV rights than the tickets at the games,so play the games in NHL arenas or North American arenas,and when it comes to the round robin,play the games in Europe or Russia (if that’s where the Olympics are held.) Minimal travel,players performing better due to less travel. 87-93% of all Olympic hockey players play in the NHL since 1998. Are there flaws and drawbacks? Of course. But where I know I’m correct,it’s not about the fun,it’s about the money. Eagleson would have never ever gone overseas.
Why is basketball a winter sport in NA but a summer sport in the Olympics?
Can you imagine hockey in the summer games? Good luck getting the players away from women’s beach volleyball. Not naming names but I know one client who would literally have to shower pre game.
@dave frost nhlpa – Plenty of good sense there, @Dave. That’s an interesting idea of splitting up the tournament, and with reduced travel, it really does make sense. Would actually be beneficial for the bottom line, too, which should perk up the ears of the NHL.
My honest opinion the NHL needs to look at players getting sick , and causing great harm to players that maybe life threatening , not happy with the NHL players going to Beijing to much risk involved , the money they would make is not worth with all the turmoil and medical issues there or around the world as we don’t know what will happen between now and then with this pandemic, Hopefully Bettman and the NHL , makes the right decision and not go. And I as well agree with @forwhomjoshbelltolled & @MacJablonski–NotVegasLegend , Keep it real
@riverrat55 – Thumbs up, @G!
@Dave – You just gave me an idea. For this year, instead of the round-robin and medal games being played in China, move them to Latvia. They seemed to be pretty decent hosts for the IIHF Worlds, so reward them with meaningful Olympic Games. And, ensure the players get to chime in with an epic “And, lastly, we’d like to thank China for the opportunity for us to play here in Latvia. They are damn fine folks here, and we can’t wait to come back!”
@MacJab-you don’t have to take the time to count the deaf ears when I’m in the room…just say all of them. Lol
After the last 2 seasons, the NHL needs to skip the Olympics. A long break in the middle of the season is lame.
China is one of the worst human rights abusers of our time and has killed who knows how many people with their covid response. How a league that suddenly fancies themselves as being “woke” can even consider participanting in China’s olympics should be a non-starter.
NHL fans deserve an uninterrupted season regardless.
The Olympics are a joke that exploit the communities that they play in and the athletes that play, all in the name of “patriotism.”
Your article is uninformed. You may want to review Bettman’s press conference from the start of the Stanley Cup Final that addressed some of these issues.