NHL Players To Return To Olympics In 2026

Although the NHL has officially backed out of the 2022 Winter Olympics, we have some good news. NHLPA executive director Don Fehr released a statement that said NHL players are expected to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Statement from NHLPA executive director Don Fehr on Olympics decision: https://t.co/hU0v244cyI pic.twitter.com/GtHeGLG7Is

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) December 22, 2021

When looking at the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases, it makes a plethora that the league is not sending its player to Beijing. With that, if a player tested positive for the virus, they would have had to quarantine in their hotel room for three-to-five weeks. With the new variant, it seems like it would have been inevitable for at least one NHLer to have to go through this.

By 2026, all we can hope for is that we have better control over the virus then. NHL fans have been waiting to see its players return to the Olympics, as they haven't gone since 2014. It's simply been way too long.

It will be fun to see who ends up on each teams' rosters. The NHL is full of young players with a lot of potential. As for veterans like Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron and Steven Stamkos, it will be interesting to see if they can play in one more before they hang up the skates. 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports