Alex Ovechkin still won’t give up his dream of playing in the 2018 Olympics, even in the face of a possible suspension. He told Sport-Express in Russia that there is “always a chance” and that he hopes the NHL will change their stance on letting him play.
When it came out yesterday that the NHL would not allow minor league players on two-way deals to attend, much speculation came along that any Olympic squad who broke this rule would be disqualified from competition. The IIHF has been clear that they will honor the NHL’s wishes for the 2018 Games, likely with hopes that the relationship can be mended for 2022.
- The Ivan Hlinka U18 tournament started yesterday, and with it FanRag’s resident prospect guru Hannah Stuart took a look at some of the most interesting names in the tournament. Joe Veleno tops the list, a name which we’ve discussed before in relation to the top pick in next year’s draft. Veleno will be at the top of any scout’s list when watching the QMJHL this year, as the 17-year old has almost no limit on his upside going forward.
- Columbus Blue Jackets’ super rookie Zach Werenski sat down with Rob Mixer of The Athletic for a one-on-one interview, discussing his decision to turn pro and the struggles he had on opening night. He ends the discussion with a mention of how easy playing with Seth Jones was for him, something that Columbus fans can look forward to for a long time. Jones is locked up long-term at a reasonable cap hit, and Werenski should earn an extension next summer to see his prime years covered in Columbus. With those two locked in as a top pair for the next half-decade, it’s hard to project anything but success for the Blue Jackets.
