"It's a situation when you don't know what's going to happen," said Ovechkin on Thursday. "Obviously, I said I'm going to play."
Alex Ovechkin has vowed to play in the 2018 Olympics regardless of the NHL's participation.
It's nothing new that the Great 8 has promised to play whether or not the league participates, but on the heels of the start of the World Cup, some might contest the NHL's involvement in 2018. Bringing back one of the best tournaments in hockey has certainly garnered favor with fans and players, but the World Cup is not the Olympics.
Owners and GM's would prefer not playing in 2018 as it would mean another league shutdown, and the possibility of their investments being injured is far too high for their liking.
Ovechkin has always shown national pride when given the opportunity to represent Russia;(Conspiracy theorists even say he's contractually obligated to Russia to represent them). For Ovechkin though, it's a chance to give back to his home country. To represent them and honor them by trying to win a Gold medal in one of the toughest tournaments in the game.
And the fact that he has fallen short of that goal has no doubt left him chomping at the bit to finish first.
There are no rules set in place by the league if any player should leave his team for the two week hiatus and play int he Olympics, but Ovechkin has an answer for any repercussions:
"Maybe I'm going to be retired," he said.
The NHL has about another 6 months to decide on what to do, and depending upon the success of the World Cup, it looks like they will probably lean towards not participating.
Ovechkin, however, will play.
"I will go there."
More to come...