Players continue blasting NHL for 'disappointing' Olympic decision
As one would expect, players are certainly unhappy about the league's decision to skip the 2018 Winter Olympics.
On Tuesday, NHLers didn't hold back, expressing their collective displeasure while throwing shade at those responsible.
Here's a roundup:
Related: Stralman on NHL's Olympic decision: 'They crushed a dream'
Connor McDavid
The NHL's most prolific scorer said the Olympics were something he'd long hoped to participate in.
"It's disappointing," McDavid said, according to Sportsnet's John Shannon. "The Olympics was something I looked forward to as a kid."
Kevin Shattenkirk
After Alex Ovechkin sounded off - stating the announcement wouldn't stop him from participating - Capitals teammate Kevin Shattenkirk insisted the league is using the Olympics as a "bargaining chip," according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.
Asked Shattenkirk if it'd get awkward in locker room with some players insisting on going to Olympics. Said he'd tip his cap to those guys.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) April 4, 2017
Nino Niederreiter
Minnesota Wild forward Nino Niederreiter was also up in arms, suggesting the decision was hypocritical if the league hopes to grow the game worldwide.
"It’s very disappointing. It’s pretty selfish I would say," Niederreiter said, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. "To me it doesn’t make sense. They want to have opening (exhibition) games in China and (regular-season games in) Sweden (next year), and then we have a chance to play in the Olympics, which was the biggest stage possible, and they don’t want to go. It just doesn’t add up. It makes no sense. You can’t go to China and have games there and go to Stockholm and have games there, and then have a chance to play in the Olympics and don’t go. It just doesn’t add up.
"It’s just selfish. And has nothing to do with the game anymore."
Vladimir Tarasenko
As for St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, he's upset about the decision, but isn't ready to break his NHL contract.
"We grow up like this to play in the Olympics, win a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal," Tarasenko said, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"I don't think you can take it away from players. I agree with other players who are disappointed but we have contracts over here."
Gabriel Landeskog
For Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, what hurts the most is the loss of tradition and patriotism that comes with NHLers at the Olympics.
"I think it’s too bad, to be honest with you," Landeskog said, according to Terry Frei of the Denver Post. "I know growing up, watching Sweden in the Olympics and watching men’s hockey, our whole high school would sit still and everybody got a break off school. They showed it in the cafeteria, and everybody was there, the whole school, students, teachers, everything.
"Olympics, that’s what a lot of kids dream about, especially to participate. That’s a great honor for your country and to be part of that, but also to win an Olympic medal. It doesn’t happen often to get that chance, and I think it’s too bad, disappointing to say the least.
"You’re playing for your country. Nobody’s making any money. You’re playing for the pride and you’re playing for your jersey and your country. The owners say they don’t want any players getting hurt and whatnot, and I can understand that, but from a player’s perspective, you go and play for your country. And that’s it. You’re playing for your pride and your country and wanting to win a gold medal for your country. So I think it was too bad and I was disappointed to hear that news."