Sidney Crosby talks about the disappointment of missing the Olympics
The announcement that NHL players will not be attending the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China is a disappointment that has been felt by players and fans alike.
Due to the escalating COVID-19 situation, the NHL has had to cancel a high volume of games, which will need to be rescheduled. The league plans to make up these games during what would have otherwise been an Olympic break in the schedule.
With the NHL and NHLPA agreeing that players will not attend the Olympics, perhaps no other player is more let down than two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby - not just because he himself wants to attend, but also because he feels for those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience an Olympic environment.
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun had a chance to speak with Crosby this week about the idea that NHL players may not being able to attend the Olympics. Here's what Sid had to say.
"It would be disappointing, that's the best way I can describe it. Obviously, I know from experience how special and unique the Olympics are. And not only thinking about my experience, but thinking of the guys that haven't had the opportunity to be part of it.
"And knowing what they could potentially miss. Yeah, I think just 'disappointing' would be the best way to describe it."
With all of the uncertainty surrounding how potential positive COVID-19 test results would be handled in China and the state of the country itself, there were very valid concerns from the players' perspectives that had many wavering on whether or not they would opt to go. Crosby was a major proponent of the idea and did his best to convince the NHL players that this experience would be worth the risk.
"Just trying to be part of the solution was kind of how I looked at it and understanding from talking to guys just the fact that everyone really wanted to be a part of the Olympics and understandably so," Crosby said. "It's a unique experience, there's nothing like it as an athlete. It's very special. I think trying to relay that and also trying to work through the issues and understand what they are, and how we can try to make it work, it's a complex situation, you know, this isn't the same as the issues leading up to the Olympics in the past."
A high volume of Leafs players were expected to represent their countries in Beijing in February, including Auston Matthews, Petr Mrazek, Ondrej Kase, David Kampf and William Nylander, with several others on the bubble, but likely to make the cut, including Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner and captain John Tavares.
If Crosby had his way, I'm sure many of the players would have opted to go, despite the potential risks involved. However, it appears as though NHLers will have to wait for the opportunity.
