Is Having NHL Players Back In The Olympics Worthwhile For The Sport?

The NHL is on full display without actually playing a game during the Olympics, with players and teams doing the work for them. The league has hosted numerous events over the last few years to drive engagement, culminating in the lead-up to the Games. 

Last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off was a huge success, given how much that tournament is still referenced, and the league is hoping the same will happen with the Olympics. The tournament has the best the league has to offer on display, and given the wider audience the Games provide, allowing player participation seems like the right choice. 

There is no harm in putting your product on display like the NHL has done with the Olympics, and we could see a trend going forward, depending on the outcome. Growing and improving seems to be at the forefront of the NHL’s plans for the future, and the Olympics give the league a great place to start.

The Risk Of Injury Is High With No Payoff For NHL Players Or Teams

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. That responsibility was on full display during Switzerland’s game against Canada on Friday, as Los Angeles Kings player Kevin Fiala suffered what is most likely a season-ending injury. Unfortunately, the moment gave backing to an argument that has been at the forefront of the conversation since it was announced that NHL players would be back in the Olympics. 

The tournament is also far from over, so the risk of more players sustaining injury is high. It’s a risk the players and teams have to take, but it’s easy to see why teams haven’t let their players participate recently. Not having players during the stretch run of the season will be a blow to any contender hoping to make a run, likely dashing hopes of a Stanley Cup win. 

It’s a tough call, but ultimately, the exposure that the NHL and other professional leagues get while playing in the Olympics could be worth it. Only time will tell if the league sees an uptick in things like viewership and attendance, but it’s a risk worth taking for the league.

National Pride Is A Huge Part Of The Olympics For NHL Players 

With NHL players being back in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, the majority of players suiting up for their national teams will be first-time Olympians. The opportunity to participate in the tournament is not something the players are taking for granted, either. 

There are plenty of storylines to follow, especially for those in unique situations like Connor McDavid, the Hughes brothers, and Juraj Slafkovsky, who has been integral in Slovakia’s Cinderella run. McDavid has been the best player over the course of the tournament so far, and it’s easy to see that he’s desperate for a Canadian gold medal. McDavid had a lot to say about the Games recently, and watching the game’s best excited to compete for his country is unlike anything fans see in the NHL. 

The same can be said for the Hughes brothers, whose journeys to this moment have truly been a family affair. Both Jack and Quinn have been instrumental in the United States success thus far, and watching them share the spotlight together has been awesome for American sports. The ability to play with a family member is something out of a fairytale, and watching that play out in real time is a privilege for hockey fans. 

As for Slafkovsky, the 21-year-old has been a driving force behind Slovakia’s success in the group stage. The country was placed in a group with teams like Sweden and Finland, but has found its way into medal contention thanks to great play and teamwork. Having teams like Slovakia go far is what the Olympics are all about, and it’s been great to see how much the team is appreciating everything along the way. 

End Of My NHL Players Rant

Overall, I can see both sides of the debate. There’s something to be said about the huge opportunity to grow the game at the Olympics, but it’s hard to ignore injury concerns from NHL teams. In the end, I’m glad that the players get to experience such a once-in-a-lifetime event and hope to see more talent get the opportunity in the future.