As the NHL owners begin posturing in anticipation of another lockout, they have left their players with long faces, like the one that hung on Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday afternoon when discussing the league’s decision not to allow its players to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
“I’m pretty disappointed, I must say,” said Lundqvist, who has represented Team Sweden in three Olympics, including when they won the gold medal in 2006 in Turin, Italy. “I think it’s such an unique opportunity for the players, but also for the game of hockey to showcase this game. The Olympics is so amazing to be part of.”
Lundqvist also noted the league just scheduled two preseason contests in China for next season, so it’s obviously interested in growing the game outside North America and Europe.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to grow the game in Asia. I know the NHL is going to host a couple games out there,” the Rangers goalie said. “So to me it makes sense to do it, to go there, let the players be part of something very unique, something we grew up dreaming about, but also an opportunity for the NHL to showcase the game.”
The owners made this decision largely because they wanted to receive concessions in the next collective bargaining agreement in exchange for interrupting their regular-season schedule for two weeks and allowing their players to risk injury representing their countries. Lundqvist was hardly alone in his disappointment, as the Players Association voiced in a scathing statement.
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“The League’s efforts to blame others for its decisions is as unfortunate as the decision itself,” the statement read, noting the IOC and IIHF already agreed to pick up the players’ insurance and travel costs. “NHL players are patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent respect for the opinions of the players matters. This is the NHL’s decision, and its alone. It is very unfortunate for the game, the players and millions of loyal hockey fans.”
Then there was proud Russian Alex Ovechkin, the first to open a very large can of worms when he told reporters on Tuesday: “In my mind, I’m going. It doesn’t matter.”
Lundqvist looked dumbfounded when asked about likely having played in his final Olympics. He is 35 years old, and the league said the decision for 2018 also tied into the decision not to participate in 2022 in Beijing, China.
“I haven’t put that much thought into that,” Lundqvist said. “I haven’t really looked at myself.
“But again, the Olympics have been some of the most amazing experiences for me as an athlete. To be part of the Olympic village with all the other athletes, to compete at that level, there’s something that’s so — I can’t really find the word for it. But when you’re in the Olympics, it’s not about the money, it’s not about fame, it’s not about anything other than trying to play for your country and win that gold medal. It’s a very cool experience.”
And one he and so many NHL players might not get to experience again.