Players, fans voice frustration over NHL's decision to skip the Olympics
Questions remain over if and how some NHL players could still participate
The NHL announced Monday that it will not be sending players to the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang.
It was a decision that sent shock waves through the hockey community, reaction that was decidedly not in favour of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Way to ruin the sport of hockey even more Gary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a>
—@BrandonPrust8And you thought Gary Bettman was boo'd a lot before... <a href="https://t.co/mUjfcIPY8K">pic.twitter.com/mUjfcIPY8K</a>
—@BarSouthNCellyThe NHL released a statement saying it "considers the matter officially closed."
The NHL's full statement on its decision not to participate in the 2018 Olympics <a href="https://t.co/G4gigT0CLy">https://t.co/G4gigT0CLy</a> <a href="https://t.co/ArkJ2yTMi1">pic.twitter.com/ArkJ2yTMi1</a>
—@CBCOlympicsBut questions remain over how players who are determined to play in the Olympics might made their dream a reality.
Players like Alexander Ovechkin, who has been vocal about going to Pyeongchang no matter what the NHL decides.
The consequences of a decision like that are not yet know, but Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonis has gone on record saying he will support his players that want to represent their country, even if he is fined or punished in some way.
So the NHL won't go to the Olympics. But Ovi (and I'm guessing others with supportive owners) will.<br><br>This should be fun.
—@BeccaH_JRHenrik Lundqvist, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Carey Price, all Olympic alumni, weren't quite behind the decision of the league either.
Disappointing news, <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL">@NHL</a> won't be part of the Olympics 2018. A huge opportunity to market the game at the biggest stage is wasted..
—@HLundqvist30<a href="https://t.co/IlZuRyETET">pic.twitter.com/IlZuRyETET</a>
—@Vlasic44<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Habs?src=hash">#Habs</a> goalie Carey Price says he's very disappointed NHLers aren't going to Olympics <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HabsIO?src=hash">#HabsIO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash">#NHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/QZNVzDvY3Q">pic.twitter.com/QZNVzDvY3Q</a>
—@StuCowan1The NHL's players' association called the decision "shortsighted" and said it's "extraodinarily disappointed."
NHLPA statement on NHL's 2018 Olympic Winter Games decision: <a href="https://t.co/9AAoDywFpF">https://t.co/9AAoDywFpF</a> <a href="https://t.co/WatIQHIDkL">pic.twitter.com/WatIQHIDkL</a>
—@NHLPAWhile some hockey fans managed to find a kind of silver lining in all the turmoil...
Upset that the NHL won't send top talent to the Olympics? Watch women's hockey, which will have the best players.
—@Marisa_IngemiMy one positive about the NHL not going to the Olympics: Women's hockey is now going to be on the biggest stage it's ever had.
—@AndrewBerkshireSo with (likely) no Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or Carey Price, who will wear the Maple Leaf for Team Canada?
The 'Plan B' team could include players like Matt Ellison, Jordan Subban and Brendan Leipsic playing in European leagues and the AHL.
If I'm a borderline NHL player whose contract up, which I'm not, I'm playing in Swiss league next year & repping my country in Olympics.
—@CraigCustance