Speculation as to whether or not the NHL would allow its players to participate in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games was put to rest this morning when the NHL, NHLPA,IIHF and IOC came to an agreement. The NHL’s participation was never truly in doubt as talks between the four were always considered productive and positive but the massive timeframe that the agreement took to negotiate, coupled with the NHL’s negotiating tactics, had many worried.
This marks the fifth time that the NHL has allowed its players to participate in the games with the 1998 games in Nagano being the first participation. After the Czech Republic took home the initial Gold Medal in 1998, Canada (2002, 2010) and Sweden (2006) have also won the tournament. 2010 in Vancouver marks the only time the host country has won, as Canada defeated the US in a dramatic 3-2 overtime final.
Russia will be looking to do much the same as they host the games in 2014. The NHL’s participation has had little factor for many Russians, including Alex Oveckhin of the Washington Capitals, who would have suited up for Russia with the NHL’s blessing or not. Although, now the competition the Russian team must face is significantly more difficult.
The longtime concern with the NHL going to Olympics mid-season is the injury factors created by both the Olympic tournament itself and the condensed schedule required to make it happen. Many key players have been injured at the Olympics which has long made the NHL worried about the games, even if they do bring the league international exposure.
The tournament will begin on February 12th 2014 and end on the 23rd while the NHL will break for roughly two weeks.The hosts Russia will compete in Group A with the United States, Slovakia and Slovenia. Canada headline Group B along with Austria, Finland and Norway. Group C, meanwhile, consists of Sweden, Switzerland, Chez Republic and Latvia. Here is the full Olympic schedule:
WED, FEB 12
1 12:00 PM ET Czech Republic vs. Sweden
2 12:00 PM ET Latvia vs. Switzerland
THU, FEB 13
3 3:00 AM ET Finland vs. Austria
4 7:30 AM ET Russia vs. Slovenia
5 7:30 AM ET Slovakia vs. United States
6 12:00 PM ET Canada vs. Norway
FRI, FEB 14
7 3:00 AM ET Czech Republic vs. Latvia
8 7:30 AM ET Sweden vs. Switzerland
9 12:00 PM ET Canada vs. Austria
10 12:00 PM ET Norway vs. Finland
SAT, FEB 15
11 3:00 AM ET Slovakia vs. Slovenia
12 7:30 AM ET United States vs. Russia
13 12:00 PM ET Switzerland vs. Czech Republic
14 12:00 PM ET Sweden vs. Latvia
SUN, FEB 16
15 3:00 AM ET Austria vs. Norway
16 7:30 AM ET Russia vs. Slovakia
17 7:30 AM ET Slovenia vs. United States
18 12:00 PM ET Finland vs. Canada
Qualification play-off – TUE, FEB 18
19 3:00 AM ET TBD
20 7:30 AM ET TBD
21 12:00 PM ET TBD
22 12:00 PM ET TBD
Quarterfinals – WED, FEB 19
23 3:00 AM ET TBD
24 7:30 AM ET TBD
25 12:00 PM ET TBD
26 12:00 PM ET TBD
Semifinals – FRI, FEB 21
27 7:00 AM ET TBD
28 12:00 PM ET TBD
Bronze Medal Game – SAT, FEB 22
29 10:00 AM ET TBD
Gold Medal Game – SUN, FEB 23
30 7:00 AM ET TBD
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