Some thoughts from the players on the NHL not going to the 2018 Winter Olympics …
TSN: Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin said today that he’s going to compete for Russia at the Winter Olympics no matter what the NHL says.
“Yeah, I didn’t change my mind,” he told a scrum of reporters in Toronto on Tuesday, adding that he thinks the league is bluffing. “I’m still going no matter what.”
Evgeny Kuznetsov on going Olympics: “It’s in the heart.”
Luke Fox: Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk: “The world deserves to see hockey at that level.”
Pierre LeBrun: Goaltender Braden Holtby said that it would be a personal decision for each player to leave their team to go to the Olympics, but he added that he wouldn’t leave the team if there wasn’t a deal in place.
Isabelle Khurshudyan: Nicklas Backstrom on if he’d go: “I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. We’ll see if we’re allowed.”
Tracey Myers: Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith.
“I know Stanley Cup playoffs are competitive but when you get to a single-elimination tournament, they don’t get any more intense, any bigger games, especially if you’re playing for a medal. That’s disappointing. But I understand the league’s point of view, that they don’t want to shut it down. It’s just too bad there couldn’t have been something that could’ve been worked out, because I think the fans like it and obviously the players like it.”
Mark Lazerus: Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews.
“At the end of the day, I guess you have to respect your employers, your owner’s decision. But I guess my personal opinion – it just seems unfortunate that the players voice that it’s something that they think is beneficial not only for them, but for the league and for our game as a whole. And it automatically turns into a negotiation. It just seems like it comes down to what can they get out of us when the next CBA negotiation rolls around. It’s not about the long term goals of our game and growing it and the bigger picture. Not only for the players that are presently at the top of the game that want to play at the Olympics and represent their countries next year in South Korea. But it’s obviously about the future, as well. Obviously I disagree with the short-signedness of this whole thing, too. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that the players can get that cooperation from the league. Tough bounce.”
Craig Custance: Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson on the NHL’s decision.
“Crap. Pretty much. I don’t understand the decision. We have no say in the matter, it’s very unfortunate for the game of hockey around the world that they’re going to do this to the sport. I think it’s going to hurt a lot if we don’t end up going. Whoever made that decision obviously had no idea what they’re doing.”
Helene St. James: Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg on the decision: “I am not really surprised. They probably want something (from) us. As always.”
Mark Lazerus: Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog hopes Olympic talks are not done with. He’d consider leaving on his own like Ovechkin talks about doing.
Ken Wiebe: Jets forward Blake Wheeler.
“It’s too bad. A real good opportunity wasted. At the Winter Olympics, hockey is a big deal. It’s one of the big draw and it’s a real great opportunity to get our sport front and center. We’ve had some great moments at the Olympics, some great games that enhanced the popularity. The next two Olympics are in countries that are untapped for our sport. It was a unique opportunity to go over there and have similar types of games we’ve had in the past few Olympics to broaden our horizons a little bit.
Michael Russo: Nino Niederreither: “It’s very disappointing. It’s pretty selfish. To me it doesn’t make sense. … It just doesn’t add up.” …. “it’s not about the game, that’s for sure. They say they want to grow the game, then do this. I don’t see the point at all.”
Jeremy Rutherford: Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko “We grow up like this to play in the Olympics, win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal. I don’t think you can take it away from players. I agree with other players who are disappointed but we have contracts over here. We have playoffs coming right now and just I think let it go for now and think about it during the summer.”
Joe McDonald: Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman: “They crushed a dream. It’s sad — sad.”
Joe Smith: Stalman: “All they really care about is money. A few billionaires trying to make an extra buck.”
#tblightning Victor Hedman on #NHL Olympics decision. “Extremely, extremely disappointed. I’m at a loss for words.” pic.twitter.com/DnFI38lMct
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) April 4, 2017
