On Wednesday, the message came from the NHL and the players' organization NHLPA that there will be no NHL players in the Olympics.
- Unfortunately, given the disruption of the NHL's game schedule caused by the recent covid-related events.
50 games have already been postponed until December 23, which means that Olympic participation is no longer possible, says NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a press release.
Washington star Nicklas Bäckström, 34, received the decision with disappointment.
- Very sad and a disappointment for us players that they will not be an Olympics.
They had been looking forward to this for several years, says Bäckström to SVT Sport.
What would it have meant to you to play?
- It would have meant a lot because it is one of the dreams you have as a child to play the Olympics.
Bäckström has represented Tre Kronor at two Olympics previously, 2010 and 2014.
The Beijing Olympics start on February 4 and run until February 20.
Given the absence of NHL players, it instead opens up the chance for players from the SHL and Europe.
CLIP: Garpenlöv on the NHL's decision (December 22, 2021)
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Johan Garpenlöv.
Photo: Bildbyrån