Quickie “vacation” blog here… as negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA hit critical mass, word is spreading that Olympic participation is part of the agreement.
From what I understand, NHL players will compete in (at least) the 2022 Games if new CBA is finalized and there is a financial agreement with the International Olympic Committee. Prior to the pandemic, the IOC indicated it would consider these incentives for the NHL and NHLPA to return to the Olympics after they did not go to South Korea in 2018.
We are expecting some kind of clarity about the negotiations over the next few days. While both sides have been grinding away at the details, it is challenging to predict how the NHLPA membership will react. Sportsnet’s Eric Engels had a Twitter thread on Tuesday that encapsulates the many different emotions.
All players I spoke with are frustrated about being kept largely in the dark about how they’ll safely be able to resume play. 5/5
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) June 30, 2020
