5:00 PM
Don Fehr, the executive director of the NHL Players' Association, said that uncertainty about the Winter Olympics has been caused by a lack of concrete answers from the Beijing Organizing Committee.
Concerns about COVID protocols in Beijing, along with other political and safety considerations in China, have left that participation next February in doubt.
Gary Bettman said at Friday's Board of Governors meeting in Manalapan, Florida, that it'sultimately going to be a players' decision on whether they play in the Beijing Games.
The players' decision is not entirely in their hands, according to Fehr. The NHL could pull out of the Olympics if the regular-season schedule is impacted by postponements and the Olympic Break is needed to make up games. There have been five postponements.
The players are watching the Beijing Olympics, according to Fehr. We're waiting on a lot of information from the IOC and the Chinese. We don't know what the situation will be as we get closer.
Bettman said that players are not sure if they want to play in Beijing.
He said that a number of players are expressing concerns, and that they will have to see how this plays out.
Fehr said he wasn't sure what Bettman was referring to, as the only public opt-out thus far is Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner, who has said he won't play for Sweden's national team.
There hasn't been a lot of players going public. The more difficult it becomes, the more we don't have concrete answers to what happens over there in an unfortunate circumstance.
The IOC and Beijing Olympic organizers are expected to send an updated athlete handbook. There will be a call in the near future between the IOC, the International Ice Hockey Federation, the NHL and the NHLPA about medical information regarding the Winter Games.
The IOC has provided new COVID protocol information to athletes, according to a report from the Toronto Star. A player with a confirmed positive test must produce two negative tests within 24 hours of the positive test, or the period can last from 21 days to five weeks. There are a number of issues the NHLPA is waiting for clarity on, including where that would take place, and whether a player could leave China rather than quarantining there.
If a player has a positive test in Beijing, it's important that they have a good bicyle period. They could be stuck in China for a long time, but they could also be financially impacted by missing games and practices after the NHL's Olympic Break.
The NHL will not pay players who miss time due to the Olympics because of the agreement to go to the Games.
The IIHF will provide a $5 million fund for players who lose their salary in Olympic qualification or the Games. If the pool dries up after the season restarts, players could lose their salary.
It's unclear if that will be the case.
The NHL doesn't think they would be obligated. We're not sure if we agree with that. I'm hopeful that will never become an issue that needs to be decided," he said.
The matter has been resolved.
Even without the Olympics, there may still be an Olympic Break for the players who aren't going to Beijing.
The NHL said on Friday that many of its arenas have booked events during the break, even though it was suggested they keep them open in case the players don't travel to Beijing. The Board of Governors meeting was rumored to have discussed the possibility of a break in the season even if the NHL doesn't participate in the Olympics.
There isn't a deadline for a final decision on Olympic participation, although there has been a lot of focus on January 10, 2022. If the NHL doesn't go, there is only a deadline for financial reasonability for costs at that given point and time, but a decision to opt out can be made after that date.
Fehr wants clarity by January 10. I would like to be able to say by that date. He said that it's contingent on nothing changing after that.
The players' decision on participation is dependent on the IOC's stance on COVID protocols and whether the "bubble" in Beijing is worth the trouble.
I hope the clarity comes and resolves the uncertainty. "If it doesn't, then we'll have to see what comes next."
He wouldn't confirm whether there would be a formal vote, but said there would be a series of ongoing discussions with the players who would be expected to participate.
