Why aren’t NHL players playing in Winter Olympics?

NHL officials made sure the league would not take a break from the winter games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

For the first time since 1998, NHL players are not participating in the Winter Olympics.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made the decision last spring.

A majority of the league’s franchises were opposed to taking extended time off in the middle of the season. The Olympic schedule requires a 17-day break in February.

The U.S. and Canada conducted a survey regarding the break. In America, 73 percent of fans were against an NHL break. More than 50 percent of Canadian fans agreed. Over the last 20 years, an average of 141 players have competed in the games.

According to NHL.com, financing the trip was a roadblock for the league and the International Olympic Committee. The IOC said it would not fund the travel and insurance for participants and guests beginning in 2018.

But NHL franchises generate hundreds of millions annually; was money really the main concern?

The decision hinged not only the amount of money the league would need to spend to participate in the 2018 Winter Games, but the potential loss of league assets. Four NHL players in the 2014 Sochi Games sustained season-ending injuries during Olympic participation.

The Detroit Red Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg was the only player to return that season. The Red Wings snuck into the playoffs as the second wild card in 2014.

Likewise, player Olympic participation has impacted the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In 2014, Detroit sent a league-high 10 players to Sochi. The Red Wings were eliminated in the first round. Eventual Stanley Cup-winner Los Angeles Kings sent six.

To emphasize, the Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche each sent 10 players to the 2006 Torino Olympics. Detroit and Colorado lost in the first and second rounds, respectively.

The Carolina Hurricanes had five representatives that season and lifted the cup.

Even though these scenarios may fall under the umbrella of correlation without causation, it’s more than a tentative connection. And it helps explain why the NHL fears endangering its on-ice product by sending players to the Winter Games.

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Without the participation of NHLers, the Winter Olympics in South Korea will provide fans a chance to learn about different talent.

Team USA has Stanley Cup experience in 2018. Former New Jersey Devils forward Brian Gionta won the 2003 Stanley Cup. Gionta served as a captain for seven seasons with two teams.

Another American to watch is forward Ryan Donato. Donata currently plays for Harvard. He is also the third youngest member on the Team USA roster.

Team USA will look to earn its first medal in the games since 2010 (silver).