Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin — speaking at a promotional appearance in New York City this week before returning home for training camp — again said he’s going to the 2014 Olympics, with or without the NHL’s approval.
Why is this such a big deal four-and-a-half years before those Games are even contested? Because it’s the latest indication that the NHL has a problem on its hands. Some owners are reluctant to keep sending their players to the Olympics. They see little tangible benefit to the league shutting down for three weeks while its players risk injury in a wildly competitive tournament few Americans see unless it’s held in North America — like this year’s Olympics in Vancouver.
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But that argument holds zero weight with players — especially Russians determined to play in 2014 when the Olympics are in the Russian resort town of Sochi. Ovechkin is just the first player to so boldly state he’s going.
Think the Caps are interested in suspending their superstar if he goes AWOL for three weeks in the middle of the season? The issue will ultimately be decided during the collective bargaining sessions. But with the NHL Players Association in turmoil — executive director Paul Kelly was unceremoniously fired last month — it is one of several thorny issues owners and players face.
