Should NHL players participate in the 2018 Winter Olymics
Posted 7:31 PM ET | Comments 0
With the NHL resuming action from its Olympic break this week and the trade deadline approaching, the question still remains if the NHL will be back for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Just before the Olympics began, many hockey fans including myself believed this was the last Olympics that NHL players will participate in. However, NHL Gary Bettman did report that the league will decide on the 2018 Olympics within the next six months.
On the other hand this topic of discussion is a yes or no answer, hockey fans should be ready for the decision whether players should participate. A prime example why I consider players should not participate is the key injuries that occurred during the tournament, most notably team Canada forward John Tavares. The New York Islanders captain suffered a knee injury that cost him his season.
Essentially any chance the New York Islanders had at making the playoffs is gone out the window. However, I believe most management in the NHL are widely against their players participating in the Olympics due to their concern of any player being injured however there are good reasons why players should have a chance to participate in 2018.
Now, NHL players have taken part in five consecutive Olympics while increasing international exposure for hockey was one of the reasons the NHL first allowed its players to participate in the Olympics in 1998. Every four years players get that one chance to represent their country. It's something most people never get the opportunity to do that.
Also, to me it's great for the players and great for the game while taking the honor to represent their country. To the players who do not participate recover from injuries, and watch the best hockey players in the world compete.
While the future of NHL players in the next Olympics is still unclear, the World Cup of Hockey could make a potential return in the near future if NHL players do not participate in 2018 as it will be an alternative as a best-on-best tournament. Without NHL players, the Olympic hockey experience would be a lot similar to the World Juniors or the Spengler Cup.
Just before the Olympics began, many hockey fans including myself believed this was the last Olympics that NHL players will participate in. However, NHL Gary Bettman did report that the league will decide on the 2018 Olympics within the next six months.
On the other hand this topic of discussion is a yes or no answer, hockey fans should be ready for the decision whether players should participate. A prime example why I consider players should not participate is the key injuries that occurred during the tournament, most notably team Canada forward John Tavares. The New York Islanders captain suffered a knee injury that cost him his season.
Essentially any chance the New York Islanders had at making the playoffs is gone out the window. However, I believe most management in the NHL are widely against their players participating in the Olympics due to their concern of any player being injured however there are good reasons why players should have a chance to participate in 2018.
Now, NHL players have taken part in five consecutive Olympics while increasing international exposure for hockey was one of the reasons the NHL first allowed its players to participate in the Olympics in 1998. Every four years players get that one chance to represent their country. It's something most people never get the opportunity to do that.
Also, to me it's great for the players and great for the game while taking the honor to represent their country. To the players who do not participate recover from injuries, and watch the best hockey players in the world compete.
While the future of NHL players in the next Olympics is still unclear, the World Cup of Hockey could make a potential return in the near future if NHL players do not participate in 2018 as it will be an alternative as a best-on-best tournament. Without NHL players, the Olympic hockey experience would be a lot similar to the World Juniors or the Spengler Cup.