Why NHL Gamers Reportedly Cannot Attend Olympics On Particular person Foundation
2 min read
The NHL gained’t be sending its gamers to the Olympics, and whereas there seemed to be a good dose of skepticism amongst some about going, there have been others who have been prepared to take threat.
Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron expressed trepidation over every week in the past, as issues started heading within the course of cancelling NHL gamers’ participation. However within the days main as much as the official announcement, others, like Connor Hellebuyck, Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos all made remarks that appeared to trace at disappointment in NHL gamers not going.
It’s truthful to ask, then, why can’t the NHL permit gamers to only determine on their very own as an alternative of constructing a unilateral choice?
Setting apart the logistical nightmare that would probably trigger, the reasoning actually is fairly easy, defined SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday.
“There have been some gamers who requested if it might nonetheless be doable to go to the Olympics on a person foundation,” Friedman wrote. “That was doable if the choice was left to the gamers. However, as a result of this was the NHL’s name, that possibility is closed.”
The choice for NHL gamers to go to the Olympics for the primary time since 2014 was a largely player-driven transfer. The settlement to permit for that occurred final yr when the NHL and NHLPA renegotiated the CBA in the course of the COVID-19 shutdown, however it at all times allowed for the opportunity of the choice to be modified. The rise in instances lately, which pressured the present pause on the season, coupled with the prolonged quarantine for gamers who take a look at constructive for the virus whereas on the Olympics in the end made issues impractical.
That stated, it does seem the league and union are by and huge in settlement on the choice to not go, so it doesn’t appear as if the NHL kicked the doorways in and stated “No, we’re not doing this.” As a substitute, it sounds extra like each side agreed it simply wasn’t the correct transfer.
