The NHL as a league won't be participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang, South Korea. Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has other plans, however.
Tuesday, the six-time all-star declared his intention to represent his native Russia in the 2018 games, saying he was going, “no matter what.”
Ovechkin has represented in Russia in three previous Olympics, finishing no higher than fourth. If he does follow through with his plans to play in South Korea, he will be absent from the Caps roster for several weeks next season during the Games.
In other fallout from the NHL's decision to pass on the Olympics, Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson stepped up to burn the league on what he sees as its shortsightedness:
Oh, and as a bonus, here's the NHLPA essentially calling the move to skip the Olympics stupid:
NHLPA statement on NHL's 2018 Olympic Winter Games decision: https://t.co/9AAoDywFpF pic.twitter.com/WatIQHIDkL
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 3, 2017
Good times, indeed.
Source: @Real_ESPNLeBrun
