Are NHL Players Playing in the Olympics?

NHL players have been playing in the Olympics since 1998, but there is always debate about whether or not they should be allowed to continue.

Introduction

The National Hockey League (NHL) is the premier professional ice hockey league in North and South America. It is widely considered to be the top hockey league in the world. The NHL was founded in 1917, and currently consists of 30 teams: 23 in the United States and 7 in Canada.

Since 1998, NHL players have been competing in the Winter Olympics. However, in April 2017, the NHL announced that it would not be sending players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This decision was made due to a variety of factors, including financial considerations and a reluctance on the part of NHL owners to stop the league’s regular season for two weeks.

While many fans and players are disappointed by the NHL’s decision, it’s worth noting that several high-profile players have already said they will be playing in the Olympics regardless. For example, Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has said he will “definitely” be playing for Russia, while Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has said he “would love to” represent Canada. It remains to be seen how many other NHL players will follow suit.

History of NHL Players in the Olympics

NHL players have been playing in the Olympics since the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. The league took a break from the games in 2006, but resumed participation in 2010. In 2014, the NHL announced that it would not be sending players to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

NHL participation in the Olympics has been a mixed bag. Some believe that it is a great opportunity for the best players in the world to compete against each other on the biggest stage. Others believe that it interrupts the NHL season and puts players at risk of injury.

The decision to not send NHL players to 2018 was largely due to logistical issues. The NHL would have had to shut down for nearly two weeks during the games, which would have been a financial burden for the league and its teams. There were also concerns about the quality of ice in South Korea and the risk of injuries to players.

Reasons for NHL Players Not Playing in the 2018 Olympics

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been adamantly opposed to having NHL players participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Bettman’s main issues with Olympic participation are the disruption to the NHL season and injuries to players.

Bettman is not alone in his opinion. Many owners and general managers of NHL teams are also against having their players leave mid-season to play in the Olympics. They believe that it puts their teams at a competitive disadvantage and increases the risk of injuries to their star players.

Another factor that is preventing NHL players from participating in the 2018 Olympics is the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) refusal to cover the costs of insurance and travel for NHL players. The IOC had covered these costs for previous Olympic Games, but they are no longer willing to do so for Pyeongchang.

Without the support of the NHL, it is unlikely that any of its players will be able to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Conclusion

As the 2018 Winter Olympics approach, there is much speculation as to whether or not NHL players will be playing. While the NHL has said that they will not be participating, there is still hope that a deal can be reached. If not, it will be the first time since 1994 that NHL players will not be competing in the Olympics.