NHL asked for Olympic decision by April

Olympics.

“Playing in an Olympic games is fundamentally different than playing in other tournaments, other hockey events, because it’s an opportunity to play for your country on a global stage with fans watching who never otherwise watch hockey games,” Fehr said. “There’s a patriotic element, too, which players feel and feel very strongly and it’s something we should applaud and be proud of for them. And to take that opportunity away would be most, most unfortunate.”

The NHL has acknowledged it isn’t excited about the prospects of marketing the sport in South Korea, but it is very interested in being part of the 2022 Olympics in China.

Fasel suggested that might not be an option.

“If they don’t go to Korea, it will be very difficult for them to go to Beijing,” Fasel said. “The IOC will be in a different position and it would be a totally different deal on the table for the NHL. The NHL has more to lose than to win if they don’t come to Pyeongchang. If they don’t come, they will isolate themselves. The fans will not be happy and the players won’t be happy and then I would say, ‘Good luck with negotiations to go to China.”’

Even if the NHL doesn’t set up next season’s schedule with an Olympic break, Washington Capitals and Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin has vowed to go to the 2018 Olympics and he may not be the only one to test the league’s stance.

“Everybody wants to go there,” Ovechkin said Thursday.