NHLPA and the IIHF have reached an agreement that will allow NHLPA players to take part in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
An opt-out clause is included in the agreement. The NHLPA and NHL can withdraw from the Olympics if COVID-19 conditions get worse or if the 2021-22 NHL schedule gets disrupted by cancellations. The league may also use the Olympic break for make-up games. Sources told ESPN that the opt-out deadline is in January.
The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was cancelled by the NHL. This ended a streak of five tournaments in which the league had allowed its players to participate. Players of the NHL won a huge win in 2020 when they signed a new collective agreement with the league. The CBA allowed language for players to be eligible to compete in the 2022 or 2026 Olympic Games, subject to an agreement with IIHF and IOC.
The NHLPA, IIHF, NHL and IOC had been in negotiations all summer, and they bypassed some arbitrary timelines to reach an agreement on Friday.
NHL players have always fought for their return to the Olympic Games.
"As a Canadian kid, my dream is to be able to play in the NHL. Then, my dream is to be able to represent Canada at the Olympics. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers' star, said that he believes it's the way it's always been and that he's no exception. It's been a while since we were able to represent our country in a best-on–best tournament, despite not being able to go to the Olympics. My last appearance was in 2015 at the world juniors. It's been a while, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get a spot on the team and possibly represent my country at this year's Olympics.
The IIHF and IOC will pay for all travel and insurance expenses for NHL players. They will also cover players' guests, if they are permitted to attend. The big problem was COVID insurance. While the NHLPA and NHLPA had found a provider for COVID insurance coverage, the IIHF/IOC decided not to provide additional COVID insurance. Each player will decide if he wants to purchase it.
From Thursday, February 3, through Tuesday February 22, the NHL will be off-line. All-Star weekend in Las Vegas, which begins on February 4, will take place regardless of whether NHL players are participating in the Olympics.
All-Star weekend is a chance for Olympians to travel from Las Vegas to Beijing.
All Olympic athletes will need to get the vaccine. However, some exemptions may be granted on a case by case basis. Multiple league sources tell ESPN that the vast majority of NHL players have been vaccinated.
The NHL desired more media and advertising rights in an Olympic agreement.
The NHL discussed some of its goals with the IIHF in a February 2020 meeting. These included NHL logos and ads featured in Olympic games, as well as the possibility to use Olympic highlights on NHL Network (or NHL.com) -- all things that the league wanted to promote the sport.
Sources say that the NHL was denied most of its requests. Since the February 2020 meeting, the climate has changed. The NHL parted ways with broadcast partner NBC. NBC also carries the Olympics. Sources close to the talks claimed that the IIHF was aware of the IOC's leverage, as NHL players have spoken out about their desire for the Olympics to be returned.
Olympic participants must submit their "long list" of players by October 15. By January, the provisional playing rosters are expected to be published. The national teams cannot host orientation camps in person, but they are allowed to host virtual meetings prior to the games.
Sources claim that players have been instructed to be prepared for the Olympics' strict protocols. This includes daily testing, a bubble environment, restrictions on movements and interactions, as well as the possibility of wearing GPS-located devices to aid in contact tracing and protocol compliance.
